Lessons learned from Brazil's experience with fossil-fuel subsidies and their reform

Brazil has a long history of subsidizing energy. Assistance has been provided by successive governments for most energy sources and for a variety of reasons. Electricity generation (hydroelectric and thermal power plants), ethanol and various petroleum products have all benefited from government support to producers, consumers, or both. The primary objective behind these policies has been the promotion of industrialization but governments have also implemented subsidies to achieve social and environmental goals.