Strategic positioning in response to regulatory restrictions on the greenhouse gas emissions

Abstract

This paper analyzes the strategy of reducing the greenhouse gases emissions (GHG) in a company distributing electricity. The research was conducted through semi-structured interviews with the president of the company and the managers in the areas of planning and control, marketing, regulatory, environmental, social responsibility, and research and development. Taking as starting point the results of the inventory of GHG emissions, managers were asked about the initiatives and benefits of mitigation projects GHG emissions, pressures from stakeholders and the role of regulation in the remediation and prevention of the impacts of climate change. The results indicate that managers do not recognize opportunities to invest in projects to reduce greenhouse gases emissions. The company adopts an instrumental strategy and operates in a business environment with incipient regulatory restrictions control GHG emissions. The study indicates that the company adopts an evasive climate strategy and explores the lack of priority of the Brazilian electrical sector in reducing the impact or vulnerability towards climate changes.