Feature02 June

Brazil drops incentives to electric cars

Sergio Abranches

After a few days of internal squabbling president Lula decided to drop a proposal from the Ministers of Finance and Science & Technology to launch a program to incentivize domestic production of electric cars.

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Feature16 April

Human and economic consequences of extreme natural events

Sergio Abranches

Extreme natural events may be a source of huge human and economic losses, although they are not, in themselves ‘disasters’. A disaster happens when an extreme natural event reaches a populated area. More »

Feature29 March

Conflict minerals and corporate responsibility

Sergio Abranches

Heavy-weights of the computer and electronic industries have joined forces to rid their supply-chains from “blood minerals” coming from the Congo’s militarized mines. More »

Feature23 March

Minerals of blood in our computers and cell phones?

High-tech is linked to war and brutality not only through the arms industry. Computers, cellphones, and other electronic equipment can be part of a shocking connection of highly advanced technology with human suffering, forced labor and unending war. Does it sound too preposterous?

Sergio Abranches More »

Feature04 November

Brazilian government still to decide about commitments to take to Copenhagen

Amid strong controversies among his ministers, president Lula has supposedly concluded a cabinet meeting, last Tuesday, by saying “we’ll move ahead, but first bring me a consensual policy with figures all of you agree with.”

Sergio Abranches More »

Feature30 October

Are we heading to a skeleton agreement for a piecemeal climate policy in Copenhagen?

Only 37 days before COP15 in Copenhagen, pragmatic proposals for a new framework agreement leaving detailing to be negotiated ex-post are gaining force.

Sergio Abranches More »