Strategic actions to mitigate climate change in the electricity sector: a comparative study between a European company and a Brazilian company

Abstract

In this study, a comparative analysis based on the institutional theory was carried out between two companies of the electricity sector from different institutional contexts: Iberdrola, a Spanish company, and Coelba, a Brazilian company. The analysis shows that the national context interfere in the progress on the strategic actions taken by the companies in the electricity sector in relation to climate change. While Brazil does not set goals to reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the European Union (EU) has been at the forefront of the fight against climate change and by encouraging a low carbon economy. It is therefore suggested that Coelba, based on Iberdrola's experience, goes beyond its legal obligations and adopts actions to mitigate climate change. By doing so, Coelba can play the role of a transforming agent for its entire value chain, as well as for the Brazilian and Latin American electricity sector.