Local Financial Institutions, Credit Cooperatives and Green Growth

PALESTRANTE:
Dr Peter Phelps 
(Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Leeds)

Data: 14/09/2026 (segunda-feira)

Hora: 16:40h

Sala: 201 (antiga sala 203)

Abstract:  Large emerging economies like Brazil play a prominent role in the green transition due to their reliance on agricultural and extractive industries, which drive development but contribute disproportionately to environmental degradation and natural resource depletion. Channelling capital toward environmentally sustainable economic activities is therefore critical for the green transition. While there is some debate about the capabilities and potential of different local financial institutions to foster growth that is environmentally sustainable, the role of financial cooperatives remains largely underexplored. This paper adds to the finance-green growth literature by exploring the rise of Brazilian credit cooperatives (BCCs) across Brazilian states over the period 2012 to 2024. Combining microdata on enterprises, employment and earnings in green sectors, we conduct a panel-data investigation of the relationship between the local presence and penetration of BCCs and green economic outcomes.