ALBERT

Description: This profile provides an overview of the projected climate parameters and related impacts on different sectors in Cameroon until 2080 under different climate change scenarios (called Representative Concentration Pathways, RCPs). RCP2.6 represents a low emissions scenario that aims to keep global warming likely below 2 °C above pre-industrial temperatures. RCP6.0 represents a medium to high emissions scenario that is likely to exceed 2 °C. Model projections do not account for effects of future socio-economic impacts unless indicated otherwise.

Description: This profile provides an overview of projected climate parameters and related impacts on different sectors in Senegal until 2080 under different climate change scenarios (called Representative Concentration Pathways, RCPs). RCP2.6 represents the low emissions scenario in line with the Paris Agreement; RCP6.0 represents a medium to high emissions scenario. Model projections do not account for effects of future socio-economic impacts.

Description: Burkina Faso has a high socio-economic dependency on agriculture, a sector which is strongly influenced by weather-related factors and increasingly challenged by the impacts of climate change. Currently, only limited information on climate risks and its impacts is available for the agricultural sector in the country. Therefore, this study aims to provide a comprehensive climate risk analysis including a thorough evaluation of four potential adaptation strategies that can guide local decision makers on adaptation planning and implementation in Burkina Faso. The impact assessment consists of several steps including climate projections based on two emissions scenarios (SSP3-RCP7.0 and SSP1-RCP2.6), hydro-logical modelling on water availability changes, modelling and comparison of future yields of four widely used crops (maize, sorghum, millet and cowpeas) and an assessment of livestock production under future climate conditions. Based on the projected climate change impacts on agricultural production, four different adapta-tion strategies ((1) Integrated soil fertility ma-nagement (ISFM), (2) irrigation, (3) improved seeds and (4) climate information services (CIS)) suggested and selected by different national stakeholders were analysed regarding their potential to risk mitigation, (cost-)effectiveness and suitability for local conditions. The analyses have been further complemented by expert- and literature-based assessments, semi-structured key informant interviews and two stakeholder work-shops. The results show that the mean daily temperature is on the rise and projected to increase further by 0.6°C (2030) up to 1.1°C (2090) under SSP1-RCP2.6 and by 0.5°C (2030) up to 3.6°C (2090) under SSP3-RCP7.0 in reference to 2004, dependent on future greenhouse gas emissions. Some un-certainty exists for annual precipitation projections, with slight increases until 2050 followed by a slight decrease under SSP1-RCP2.6 and continuous increase under SSP3-RCP7.0 with high year-to-year variability. Projected impacts of cli-mate change on yields vary between regions and show partly opposing trends. Some regions in the north show increasing yields (up to +30% in SSP1-RCP2.6 and up to +20% in SSP3-RCP7.0), while few regions in the south present decreasing yields (down to -30% in SSP1-RCP2.6 and down to -20% in SSP3-RCP7.0). Crop models show that the areas suitable for cowpeas will decrease in Burkina Faso under future climate change conditions while the suitability for maize, millet and sorghum will remain stable. Moreover, the potential to produce multiple crops will become more and more difficult, which limits farmers’ diversification options. Regarding the livestock sector, it seems very likely that the grazing potential will decrease under both climate change scenarios with higher decreases under SSP1-RCP2.6 than under SSP3-RCP7.0. All four adaptation strategies were found to be economically beneficial, can have a high potential for risk mitigation and entail different co-benefits. Particularly, ISFM can be highly recommended for smallholder farmers, resulting in very positive effects for societies and environment. Irrigation and improved seeds have a high potential to improve livelihoods especially in Northern Burkina Faso, but are also complex, costly and support-intensive adaptation strategies. Lastly, CIS can support farmers to make informed decisions and thereby reduce the impact of climate risks. Generally, a combination of different adaptation strategies can entail additional benefits and active stakeholder engagement as well as participatory approaches are needed to ensure the feasibility and long-term sustainability of adaptation strategies. The findings of this study can help to inform national and local adaptation and agricultural development planning and investments in order to strengthen the resilience of the agricultural sector and especially of smallholder farmers against a changing climate.

Description: Niger has a high socio-economic dependency on agriculture which is strongly influenced by weather-related factors and highly vulnerable to climate change. Currently, only limited information on climate risks and its impacts is available for the agricultural sector in the country. Therefore, this study aims to provide a comprehensive climate risk analysis including a thorough evaluation of four potential adaptation strategies that can guide local decision makers on adaptation planning and implementation in Niger: (1) agroforestry and farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR) of trees, (2) integrated soil fertility management (ISFM), (3) irrigation and (4) improved fodder management for livestock. The impact assessment includes climate projections based on two future emissions scenarios (SSP3-RCP7.0 and SSP1-RCP2.6), hydrological modelling on water availability, modelling and comparison of future yields of four dominant crops (sorghum, millet, maize and cowpeas) and an as-sessment of livestock production under future climate conditions. Based on the projected climate change impacts on agricultural production, the four adaptation strategies suggested by different national stakeholders were analysed regarding their potential to risk mitigation, cost-effectiveness and suitability for local conditions. The analyses have been complemented by expert- and literature-based assessments, semi-structured interviews and two stakeholder workshops. The results show that the mean daily temperature is projected to increase further in Niger, up to +1.3 °C (SSP1-RCP2.6) and +4.2 °C (SSP3-RCP7.0) by 2090, in reference to 2004. The mean annual precipitation sum is also projected to increase until 2050 under both emissions scenarios, with a slight decrease in the interannual variability. In the second half of the century, this trend in precipitation is likely to continue (SSP3-RCP7.0) or decrease slightly (SSP1-RCP2.6), while the year-to-year variability would increase. Greater annual rates of groundwater recharge due to increasing precipitation amounts and higher annual mean river discharge are expected until mid-century. Sorghum yields would decline in general, by 20-50% (SSP1-RCP2.6) or 40-75% (SSP3-RCP7.0) by 2090, compared to 2005. Crop models hinted at an increase in the suitability of sorghum and millet, and no significant change for maize and cowpeas in Niger under both emissions scenarios. In addition, the potential for multiple cropping would de-crease from mid-century, limiting farmers’ diversification options. Regarding the livestock sector, the grazing potential is likely to decrease in the south and increase in the central regions of Niger, under SSP1-RCP2.6, while it is expected to increase in the whole country under SSP3-RCP7.0. All four adaptation strategies were found to be economically beneficial, risk-independent, with a medium to high risk mitigation potential, and can bring about various co-benefits. FMNR practice can be highly recommended, as the upscaling potential is high and the climate resilience of local livelihoods will be strengthened. ISFM can help to improve water use efficiency and benefit from positive environmental and social outcomes. Irrigation has a medium potential to improve livelihoods of smallholder farmers but is also a support-intensive adaptation strategy that needs to be carefully implemented in order to avoid overexploitation of local water resources. Lastly, improved fodder management, especially al-falfa production, contributes to building up resilience of livestock farming systems and affects women and youth employment positively. Gener-ally, a combination of different adaptation strategies can yield additional benefits and active stake-holder engagement as well as participatory ap-proaches are needed to ensure the feasibility and sustainability of adaptation strategies. The findings of this study can help to inform national and local adaptation as well as development planning and investments in order to strengthen the climate resilience of the Nigerien agricultural sector and especially of smallholder farmers.

Description: Madagascar has a high socio-economic dependency on agriculture, a sector which is strongly influenced by weather-related factors and increasingly challenged by the impacts of climate change. Currently, only limited information on climate risks and its impacts is available for the country’s agricultural sector. This study aims to provide a comprehensive climate risk analysis including a thorough evaluation of two potential adaptation strategies that can guide local decision-makers on adaptation planning and implementation in Madagascar. The impact assessment consists of several steps, including climate projections based on three emissions scenarios (SSP1-RCP2.6, SSP3- RCP7.0 and SSP5-RCP8.5 scenario), modelling and comparison of future suitability and yield of three widely used crops (coffee, vanilla, pepper) and an assessment of yield changes in peanut production under future climate conditions. Further, the study outlines gendered challenges and support requirements in national adaptation planning. The simulation results show that Robusta coffee is less sensitive to heat compared to Arabica coffee. The suitable area for Robusta coffee remains almost stable under changing climate conditions, while the suitability of Arabica coffee is projected decrease by 7 % on a national level. Simulation results indicate a slight increase in suitability for vanilla production, particularly in the main growing region Sava, but also in Atsimo Atsinanana, thus safeguarding an important source of income for local farmers and guaranteeing the sustainability of Madagascar´s most valuable export product. Furthermore, climate change is projected to have a rather low impact on the agro-climatic suitability of pepper production. When averaged across Madagascar, the decrease in suitability is less than 1 %, however, there are some noteworthy differences across regions and scenarios. The results for the process-based peanut modelling show that rising temperature and reduced rainfall amounts are likely to decrease peanut yields across Madagascar. However, elevated atmospheric CO2 is projected to offset these negative impacts. The study furthermore evaluated the efficiency of two adaptation strategies, namely the use of locally adapted crop varieties and flexible planting dates. The simulation results suggest that the traditional cultivar Kanety is more suited in future climate change scenarios since yields for Kanety are generally higher than those of the improved variety Fleur 11. Interestingly, opting for flexible planting dates as opposed to a fixed planting date does not result in enhanced yields. This result underlines the importance of regional crop calendars to determine optimal sowing dates. The findings of this study can help to inform national and local adaptation and agricultural development planning and investments in order to strengthen the resilience of the agricultural sector and especially of smallholder farmers against a changing climate in Madagascar.

Description: Cameroon has a high socio-economic dependency on agriculture, a sector which is strongly influenced by weather-related factors and increasingly challenged by the impacts of climate change. Currently, only limited information on climate risks and its impacts is available for the agricultural sector in the country. Therefore, this study aims to provide a comprehensive climate risk analysis including a thorough evaluation of three potential adaptation strategies that can guide local decision makers on adaptation planning and implementation in Cameroon. The impact assessment consists of several steps including climate projections based on two emissions scenarios (SSP3-RCP7.0 and SSP1-RCP2.6), assessing land cover changes, modelling and comparing future suitability and yield of three widely used crops (maize, cassava and cocoa) and an assessment of grassland productivity under future climate conditions. Further the study outlines gender-related challenges and opportunities in national adaptation planning. Based on the projected climate change impacts on agricultural production, three different adaptation strategies ((1) Improved varieties, (2) Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) and (3) Agroforestry), that were suggested and selected by different national stakeholders, were analysed regarding their potential to risk mitigation, (cost-) effectiveness and suitability for local conditions. The analyses have been further complemented by expert- and literaturebased assessments, semi-structured key informant interviews and two stakeholder workshops. The results show, that by 2050 mean annual temperature is projected to increase by 1.1 °C under the low emissions scenario and 1.5 °C under the high emissions scenario compared to 2004. Some uncertainty exists for annual precipitation projections, the model ensemble projects an increase in precipitation, which is stronger under the high emissions scenario while also projecting an increase in precipitation intensity. Projected impacts of climate change on agricultural yields vary between regions and show partly opposing trends. Maize yields will decrease in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone by up to 84 % by 2090 under SSP3-RCP7.0 and over 30 % of yield losses for cassava are projected for AEZ I and II by the end of the century under the SSP3-RCP7.0 scenario. Significant positive cassava yield effects are projected in the (Guinean) High Savannah Zone, High Plateau (Western Highlands), and humid Mono- and Bimodal (Rain)forest Zones, respectively, under SSP1-RCP2.6. Crop models show that the areas suitable for maize and cocoa will decrease in Cameroon, especially under SSP3-RCP7.0, while the suitability for cassava will remain relatively stable. Regarding the livestock sector, it seems very likely that the grazing potential will decrease under both climate change scenarios with higher decreases under SSP1-RCP2.6 than under SSP3-RCP7.0. All three adaptation strategies were found to be economically beneficial, to have a high potential for risk mitigation and to entail different co-benefits. Particularly, ISFM can be highly recommended resulting in very positive effects for smallholder farmers, and the environment. Improving seeds has a high potential to improve livelihoods, but this adaptation strategy is also support-intensive. Lastly, agroforestry has a potential to reduce the impact of climate risks on cocoa production, but future climatic suitability needs to be considered. The findings of this study can help to inform national and local adaptation and agricultural development planning and investments in order to strengthen the resilience of the agricultural sector and especially of smallholder farmers against a changing climate in Cameroon.

Description: As soluções pactuadas na COP26 implicam a financeirização de florestas e territórios e beneficiam notadamente investidores privados. Contudo, os movimentos de resistência latino-americano e global seguem trilhando caminhos em busca da justiça climática. Leia mais um artigo da série Resistências latino-americanas.

Description: Embora não devamos alimentar ilusões ou expectativas irrealistas com relação ao Brics, é importante destacar que ele de fato abre novas possibilidades para forjar uma ordem internacional menos injusta

Description: Classical approaches to policy advice envisage a clear division of roles between its providers and recipients, i.e. experts and politicians. However, this dualistic scheme is beginning to erode. In the concept of policy-oriented public advice, which this chapter takes as its starting point, an additional, distinct role is assigned to citizens. Using the heuristic of Römmele and Schober (2011), as well as examples from Germany and Poland, we argue that – under some conditions – ordinary citizens can help develop solutions to complex and ambiguous socio-political challenges. Citizen assemblies offer a methodology that can allow for articulation of citizens’ consultative voice, based on the principle of random selection of participants. The chapter includes a discussion of the characteristics of this format, presents their functions and the boundary conditions that should be met for the use of citizen assemblies to be purposeful and effective. Similarities and differences in the functioning of citizens’ assemblies in Poland and Germany are also presented, particularly regarding the advisory mandate of these bodies.

Description: Klasyczne ujęcia doradztwa politycznego przewidują wyraźny podział ról między jego dostawcami a odbiorcami, tj. ekspertami a politykami. Ten dualistyczny schemat zaczyna jednak podlegać erozji. W koncepcji ukierunkowanego na politykę doradztwa społecznego, którą za punkt wyjścia obiera niniejszy rozdział, dodatkowa, odrębna rola przypada obywatelom. Posiłkując się heurystyką Römmele i Schobera (2011), jak również przykładami z Niemiec i Polski, stawiamy tezę, że zwykli obywatele mogą pomóc w wypracowaniu rozwiązań dla złożonych i niejednoznacznych wyzwań społeczno-politycznych. Metodyką, która – pod pewnymi warunkami – może pozwolić na artykulację głosu doradczego obywateli są panele obywatelskie, opierające się na zasadzie losowego doboru uczestników. Rozdział prezentuje cechy charakterystyczne tego formatu, omawia ich funkcje oraz warunki brzegowe, które powinny zostać spełnione, by zastosowanie paneli było celowe i skuteczne. Przedstawione są również podobieństwa i różnice w funkcjonowaniu paneli obywatelskich w Polsce i Niemczech, w szczególności w odniesieniu do doradczego mandatu tych gremiów.

Description: Starting from the discussion of the concepts of formality and informality, the paper first examines and analyzes empirical findings from a survey of German and Polish political advisors, lobbyists and experts on their perceptions of the access channels to politics and of politics to experts in Germany and Poland. Which access channels are chosen and why, how open are they, and what imbalances exist in access to experts and experts’ access to politics? A second section looks at the degree of formalization of advisory processes and access channels in both countries. In a third section, the focus is on interpretations of perceptions of access channels and degree of formalization and their implications for policy advice in Germany and Poland. The Polish sub-study finds a considerable gap between the perceptions of policy experts and lobbyists. While the former group enjoys a relatively high reputation in Poland, the reputation of lobbyists is much worse. In the German sample, the sharpness of the distinction between the reputation of lobbyists/interest representatives on the one hand and expert advisers on the other is less visible than in the Polish survey. The chapter concludes that political expert cultures in Poland and Germany are not congruent with regard to the perception of access channels and the play with formality and informality, but nevertheless show fundamental similarities – above all the fundamentally positive assessment of access channels to expertise. But below some very general similarities, the different perceptions of expert cultures begin to emerge. In both countries, a technocratic culture of expert advice is held in high esteem, but in Germany the assessment of interest-driven expert advice is perceived less negative than in Poland.

Description: Wychodząc od omówienia pojęć formalności i nieformalności, w artykule najpierw analizowane są wyniki badania przeprowadzonego wśród niemieckich i polskich doradców politycznych, lobbystów i ekspertów w zakresie postrzegania kanałów ich dostępu do polityki oraz polityków do ekspertyzy w Niemczech i Polsce. Jakie kanały dostępu są wybierane i dlaczego, jak bardzo są one otwarte i jakie nierówności istnieją w dostępie polityków do ekspertów i ekspertów do polityki? Druga część tekstu poświęcona jest analizie stopnia sformalizowania procesów doradczych i kanałów dostępu w obu krajach. W trzeciej części skupiono się na interpretacji postrzegania kanałów dostępu i stopnia formalizacji oraz ich implikacji dla doradztwa politycznego w Niemczech i w Polsce. W polskim badaniu cząstkowym stwierdzono znaczny rozdźwięk między percepcją ekspertów ds. polityki a lobbystów. Podczas gdy ta pierwsza grupa cieszy się w Polsce stosunkowo wysoką reputacją, opinia o lobbystach jest znacznie gorsza. W próbie niemieckiej ostrość rozróżnienia między reputacją lobbystów/przedstawicieli grup interesu, z jednej strony, a doradców-ekspertów, z drugiej, jest mniej widoczna niż w badaniu polskim. Rozdział kończy się wnioskiem, że polityczne kultury eksperckie w Polsce i w Niemczech nie są zbieżne pod względem postrzegania kanałów dostępu oraz gry z formalnością i nieformalnością, niemniej jednak wykazują fundamentalne podobieństwa – przede wszystkim zasadniczo pozytywną ocenę kanałów dostępu do wiedzy eksperckiej. Jednak mimo pewnych bardzo ogólnych podobieństw zarysowuje się też odmienność w postrzeganiu kultur eksperckich. W obu krajach technokratyczna kultura ekspercka jest ceniona wysoko, ale w Niemczech ocena doradztwa powiązanego z reprezentacją interesów jest postrzegana jako mniej negatywna niż w Polsce.

Description: A urbanização da Amazônia é um processo complexo e caracterizado pela influência dos ciclos econômicos na região. Com duas metrópoles na Amazônia brasileira (Belém e Manaus), os processos de metropolização e o surgimento de grandes manchas urbanas são isolados e limitados pela conectividade, dinâmica econômica, distribuição espacial de serviços e de infraestrutura e a própria condição do espaço urbano. Recentemente, na Amazônia Legal, outros tipos de processos urbanos surgiram com a multiplicação de pequenas aglomerações urbanas, e o surgimento de cidades médias seguindo os traçados das principais rodovias e rios da região (Sathle, Monte-Mor e Carvalho, 2009).

Description: A urbanização da Amazônia é um processo complexo e caracterizado pela influência dos ciclos econômicos na região. Com duas metrópoles na Amazônia brasileira (Belém e Manaus), os processos de metropolização e o surgimento de grandes manchas urbanas são isolados e limitados pela conectividade, dinâmica econômica, distribuição espacial de serviços e de infraestrutura e a própria condição do espaço urbano. Recentemente, na Amazônia Legal, outros tipos de processos urbanos surgiram com a multiplicação de pequenas aglomerações urbanas, e o surgimento de cidades médias seguindo os traçados das principais rodovias e rios da região (Sathle, Monte-Mor e Carvalho, 2009).

Description: Esta é uma pequena apresentação conjuntural do panorama global do petróleo e, em menor escala, das energias renováveis no contexto de um mundo em pandemia. Nesta análise, serão trazidos dados sobre consumo, produção e preço deste hidrocarboneto, seguidos de uma discussão acerca do impacto sofrido pela indústria de petróleo e as perguntas que se colocam acerca da transição energética em 2020. Conforme se concluirá, a atual dinamicidade das mudanças no mercado energético ainda não permite previsões de monta acerca dos rumos do petróleo e, em menor escala, das energias renováveis, mas é possível delinear algumas possibilidades para a energia em um momento de adaptação à atual crise. Foram utilizados, primordialmente, dados da Agência de Informação Energética dos EUA (EIA) e da Agência Internacional de Energia (IEA). Esta pretende ser uma análise introdutória e não exaustiva acercade um fenômeno que, no momento de sua escrita (junho de 2020), ainda se desenrolava.

Description: Historicamente, os governos centro-americanos têm evitado a necessidade de adotar respostas legítimas, emancipatórias e sistêmicas às crises ecológicas e territoriais que atravessam suas fronteiras. Sobretudo, nos territórios dos povos indígenas

Description: Bolsonaro sempre tentou impor, junto com os seus ministros, um sistema neoliberal agressivo, assim como políticas antiambientais e de perseguição à povos originários e organizações da sociedade civil.

Description: Desmatamentos, vulnerabilidade de povos indígenas, possibilidade de aparecimento de novas doenças, urbanização precária: cenário, que se degradava rapidamente com governo Bolsonaro, piorou na pandemia. Mas é possível transformá-lo.

Description: In this Discussion Paper we show how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting the Brazilian Amazon, leading to the collapse of health systems in several Amazon cities, endangering indigenous ethnic groups, facilitating the clearance of huge forested plots, and, in the process, giving rise to growing concerns about the possible emergence of new transmissible zoonotic diseases.

Description: W ostatnich latach coraz większą uwagę zyskują wyzwania stojące przed europejskimi regionami związane ze zmianami strukturalnymi w kierunku zrównoważonego rozwoju. Łużyce, leżące na granicy Niemiec i Polski, doświadczają znacznej presji związanej z transformacją. Krajowe i europejskie programy finansowania, m.in. w ramach Europejskiego Zielonego Ładu, mają na celu łagodzenie skutków odchodzenia od wydobycia i konsumpcji węgla. Niedawno przyjęty unijny Mechanizm Sprawiedliwej Transformacji ma za zadanie wspieranie zrównoważonych zmian strukturalnych poprzez pomoc pracownikom i przyczynianie się do dywersyfikacji gospodarki w najbardziej dotkniętych obszarach. Niniejszy Policy Brief przedstawia trzy rekomendacje związane z wykorzystaniem funduszy UE w polsko-niemieckim obszarze granicznym w celu wspierania sprawiedliwej transformacji. Po pierwsze, fundusze udostępnione w ramach Mechanizmu powinny być wykorzystywane w porozumieniu z regionalnymi interesariuszami w Łużycach w celu uzupełnienia krajowych środków wsparcia. Dalsze programy finansowania ukierunkowane na różne obszary polityki publicznej powinny być wykorzystane w celu wzmocnienia spójności w całym regionie. W tym kontekście szczególnie interesujące są programy zarządzane centralnie przez Komisję Europejską (tzn. nie podlegające zarządzaniu dzielonemu z rządami krajowymi). Ściślejsza współpraca polityczna i gospodarcza, w połączeniu z głębszą wymianą doświadczeń, może przyspieszyć integrację regionalną i ukierunkować procesy przekształceń strukturalnych na osiągnięcie trwałych rezultatów. Użycie tych programów w obszarze granicznym obarczone jest jednak praktycznymi przeszkodami, które należy pokonać. Ponadto powyżej wymienione działania powinny być realizowane zgodne z celami zrównoważonego rozwoju (SDGs), przyczyniać się do osiągnięcia celu, jakim jest neutralność klimatyczna, a także do złagodzenia społecznych skutków transformacji strukturalnej na wszystkich poziomach.

Description: The market of political consulting and lobbying from the perspective of Polish and German parliamentarians. The number of forms, contexts and actors of policy advice and lobbying has grown over the years to such an extent that the problem of diffuse boundaries between these processes, and of capturing the specificity of the market that they form, gains in both theoretical and practical importance. This study is based on interviews with members of parliament: the Polish Sejm and the German Bundestag and concentrates on the question about how the market for political advice and lobbying is perceived by the very addressees. The comparative perspective is multi-layered and includes the cognitive, affective and normative dimensions. The image that emerges as a result offers a starting point for a discussion on the role of decision makers (who not only take part in the processes of our concern but also co-shape their regulatory framework) and on the features of a mature market of policy advice and lobbying, including mechanisms that favorably affect it.

Description: Este texto é um ensaio etnográfico com base em situações vivenciadas pelo coautor Rafael da Costa enquanto trabalhava como analista ambiental no departamento de meio ambiente de uma corporação produtora de energia elétrica, entre 2010-2013, período em que integrava a equipe técnica responsável pela condução de programas de mitigação e compensação ambiental da Barragem Belo Monte, na Volta Grande do rio Xingu, Amazônia. Em uma abordagem antropológica, o ensaio busca descrever como os profissionais da expertise ambiental corporativa interpretam um mundo muito mais vasto do que aquele alcançado pelos jargões de sua atividade no cotidiano. Nosso objetivo é demonstrar como os modos mais íntimos de entendimento destes profissionais – os quais se estabelecem em contraste com os padrões técnicos requeridos da análise ambiental empresarial – configuram fator produtivo das dimensões de destruição e morte que marcam o campo de um megaempreendimento.

Description: This paper is an ethnographic essay based on the work experience of one of the authors (da Costa) inside the environmental department of an electric energy producer corporation, between 2010 and 2013, period during which he was part of the technical team responsible for conducting environmental measures of the Belo Monte Dam on the Xingu River, in the region known as Volta Grande, Amazon. Following an anthropological approach, the essay describes how the corporate environmental experts interpret a world vastly more complex than that reached by the jargon vocabulary of their professional activity in their daily lives. Our aim is to show how the most intimate understandings of these professionals – in contrast to the technical standards required by corporate environmentalism – configure a productive factor of the destructive and death dimensions that characterize the territories of a mega-project.