The programme “Water and Climate: Contributions for a Sustainable Development” was promoted by Petrobras as part of the company’s increasing attention to climate change and social responsibility. This is an important feature of many Brazilian rivers, which imposes limitations to other uses because it requires reasonable depths of water throughout the year. The construction of dams raises additional difficulties that can be overcome in many cases by costly transposition infrastructure. This way of reaching the hinterlands is important for the economic development of Brazil, also because it is increasingly recognised as energy efficient, environmentally friendly and low cost.