dr. M.V. Isaias Mendes (Vinícius)

I research how unequal power relations modulate practices of (transnational) environmental governance involving Brazil and, more broadly, Latin America. In doing so, I engage with concepts from International Relations and International Political Economy.

I have participated in three research projects so far. First, between 2015-2016, I conducted on-site observations and interviews to analyse how international organisations, private companies and the municipal government have collaborated to shape ‘climate smart city’ policies in Rio de Janeiro.

Subsequently, I studied how digital platforms (firms and technologies) have been re-shaping the political economy of climate change. To tackle this question, I have carried out field research in Brazil, Germany and the USA between 2018-2022.

Currently, I am working for the Horizon Europe project PLANET4B (2023-2026), on a case study about how the telecoupled value chains/international trade of soy and beef between Brazil and Netherlands affect biodiversity and local communities in both countries, with particular focus on the Amazon.