Norwegian State-Corporate Climate Obstruction and Ecological Harms in Brazil

• In Event: GREEN Panel 1, Environmental Crimes of the Powerful: Corporate Harm and Regulatory Failure across Industries

Abstract

The study examines the multifaceted role of Norwegian enterprises and the Norwegian state in climate obstruction and ecological harms occurring in Brazil. It highlights the historical and ongoing impacts of Norwegian companies such as Borregaard, Norsk Hydro, Equinor, and Statkraft. The research reveals how these enterprises, often supported by the Norwegian state through ownership, financial investments, policy frameworks, and diplomatic efforts, have contributed knowingly to environmental degradation. Despite Norway's international reputation for environmental stewardship, the actions of its state-affiliated companies in Brazil present a contrasting reality. Through literature reviews, document analysis, interviews, and site visits, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of the socio-environmental dynamics shaping Global North-South extraction. The findings underscore the need for greater accountability and intervention by the Norwegian state to align its corporate practices with its environmental commitments. This study contributes to the broader discourse on climate obstruction, emphasizing the importance of interrupting the colonial legacies and power imbalances that perpetuate environmental injustices in the Global South.

Author

• FERNANDO PROCÓPIO PALAZZO, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná