Water scarcity due to climate change has been affecting Brazil’s energy security and CO₂ emissions in 2014-2015. The Latin country that used to rely more than 90% on hydropower, currently only acquires approximately 60% of its national energy from hydroelectric. In order to reach the electricity demand, the country has been forced to resort on thermal power plants more often than in the past.

The rising energy generation from thermal power plants added with other problems such as the increase of Amazon deforestation pushed CO₂ emissions to an intensification in the year of 2014. This dangerous scenario – not seen since 2005 – is also directly influenced by the lack of investment in renewables sources and reflects on Brazil’s commitment to reduce 43% of CO₂ emissions by 2030. According to two research specialists, Carlos Rittl and Maria Fernanda Gebara, from Climate Observatory and Department for International Development…