Rapidly developing countries such as China and India are the real main players in the climate debate with the potential for massive increases in their carbon emissions in coming years. Brazil is often included in their number yet this country is in fact notable for its exceptionally high reliance on energy from renewable sources - approaching fifty per cent. However the fact that much of this energy comes from hydropower and biofuels and recent discoveries of massive oil reserves off of the Brazilian coast are a recipe for controversy. In this detailed account Antonio Dias Leite sets out the development of Brazil s energy mix. Beginning with the history of energy provision and use he then moves on to tackle the various sources in detail: hydropower biomass and other renewables as well as fossil fuels and nuclear power. In each case he examines growth distribution environmental and socio-economic issues (such as deforestation and displacement of indigenous communities) and potential for future development - highlighting what has worked and what hasn t. The book ends by examining Brazilian approaches to energy efficiency and by positioning Brazil in the world context. This is a major contribution to the discussion around climate change mitigation that will be key reading for policymakers and researchers concerned with the future role and impacts of rapidly developing countries.