Amarilis Lucia Casteli Figueiredo Gallardo

Advancing scoping practice in environmental impact assessment: an examination of the Brazilian federal system

Abstract Despite availability of guidance on scoping in environmental impact assessment (EIA) in several jurisdictions, there is limited documented evidence about how scoping is actually conducted in practice. We benchmark internationally recommended good practices and develop a conceptual framework to evaluate scoping practice, applying it to the Brazilian federal EIA process. Practices are organized in four categories: provision of initial information, scope determination, stakeholder involvement and process management. Scoping of 10 projects was analyzed through document review and interviews with government officials. Results show that the process: (i) is supported by interagency review but not by public participation, (ii) features limited focus on relevant issues and impacts; and (iii) strongly concentrates on requiring descriptions of baseline conditions. The research found that deficiencies in scoping led to delays in the review phase and did not prevent conflicts during public consultation. Although staff at the federal environmental agency acknowledges those shortcomings, there is no shared understanding about key actions for improvement.

Improving effectiveness of mitigation measures in EIA follow-up

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of mitigation measures adopted in a scheme of EIA follow-up by examining their performance in reducing geo-environmental impacts in earthwork activities during the Rodoanel southern section construction in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This environment is fragile in terms of affected watersheds because the highway crosses two important reservoirs that supply most of the metropolitan water demand. Therefore, this research also aims at promoting water quality control. Design/methodology/approach – This study combines complementary sources as evidences in the literature and field checks, tests and monitoring. The methodology was supported by criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation measures in the case study approach. Findings – The EIA follow-up activities contributed to the maintenance of environmental conditions in the majority of the control points at the end of the construction phase. Water quality parameters were not statistica...

AVALIAÇÃO AMBIENTAL ESTRATÉGICA PARA O PLANEJAMENTO DA EXPANSÃO DA CANA-DE-AÇÚCAR: UMA PROPOSTA DE ROTEIRO

La industria brasilena de la cana de azucar viene se ampliando desde el ano 2000. Ha previsiones de que los cultivos de la cana de azucar seguiran creciendo por las proximas decadas, lo que genera controversias acerca de los impactos sociales y ambientales asociados, los cuales son apenas parcialmente evaluados en el planeamiento de energia. Este articulo tiene como objetivo presentar una guia de Evaluacion Ambiental Estrategica para subsidiar el planeamiento de la expansion de la cana de azucar presentada en el Plano Decenal de la Expansion de Energia Brasilena. Los principales aspectos positivos de esta guia son: integracion de los temas ambientales, sociales y economicos ofreciendo orientacion estrategica y de sostenibilidad para la toma de decisiones; propuesta de indicadores de sostenibilidad con disponibilidad de datos en las cuencas; y las directrices para la evaluacion de escenarios alternativos a los establecidos en el planeamiento de energia. Se considera que este guia permite la integracion de la sostenibilidad en la expansion de la cana de azucar con el apoyo de la Evaluacion Ambiental Estrategica.

Pagamento por serviços ambientais de recursos hídricos em áreas urbanas: perspectivas potenciais a partir de um programa de recuperação da qualidade de água na cidade de São Paulo

Payments for Environmental Services (PES) have been considered a strategy to value and manage natural resources. This study assumes that the PES can be an instrument to strengthen the sustainable management of water resources in urban areas, as recommended by the Strategic Master Plan of Sao Paulo. We discuss the perspective of applying the PES to Programa Corrego Limpo (PCL – Clean Stream Program), which has been playing a relevant role in the maintenance of the quality of urban water bodies in the city of Sao Paulo. This exploratory research demonstrates that the expected elements of a successful PES can be found in PCL in terms of relevant environmental services, providers that ensure its continuity, identification of beneficiaries and potential payers.

SERVIÇOS AMBIENTAIS ASSOCIADOS À RECUPERAÇÃO DE ÁREAS DEGRADADAS POR MINERAÇÃO: POTENCIAL PARA PAGAMENTO DE SERVIÇOS AMBIENTAIS

This paper discusses the potential of associating environmental services (ES) with techniques for reclaiming degraded areas (RDA) used in the mining sector, considering the current trends in payments for environmental services (PES) in Brazil. A literature review with content analysis generated results which identified the ES generated for eight cases of RDA in mining. As an example, ES related to soil enhancement were found. A more extended review of general RDA techniques confirmed the potential for associating other ES to RDA techniques used in mining, an example here is the enhancement of carbon stocks. Support for actions could come from existing PES schemes, particularly for cases where the ES identified as associated with an RDA technique are related to soil and water conservation. Concluding remarks indicate that there is a potential scenario for ES diversification in the reclamation stage of mining operations. A first step towards accomplishing this diversification envisages the creation of a PES scheme specific to the mining sector. Further studies are needed to develop criteria for fostering a PES scheme specifically for the reclamation phase of mining operations in Brazil.This paper discusses the potential of associating environmental services (ES) with techniques for reclaiming degraded areas (RDA) used in the mining sector, ...

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECLAMATION OF AREAS DEGRADED BY MINING: POTENTIAL FOR PAYMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

This paper discusses the potential of associating environmental services (ES) with techniques for reclaiming degraded areas (RDA) used in the mining sector, considering the current trends in payments for environmental services (PES) in Brazil. A literature review with content analysis generated results which identified the ES generated for eight cases of RDA in mining. As an example, ES related to soil enhancement were found. A more extended review of general RDA techniques confirmed the potential for associating other ES to RDA techniques used in mining, an example here is the enhancement of carbon stocks. Support for actions could come from existing PES schemes, particularly for cases where the ES identified as associated with an RDA technique are related to soil and water conservation. Concluding remarks indicate that there is a potential scenario for ES diversification in the reclamation stage of mining operations. A first step towards accomplishing this diversification envisages the creation of a PES scheme specific to the mining sector. Further studies are needed to develop criteria for fostering a PES scheme specifically for the reclamation phase of mining operations in Brazil.This paper discusses the potential of associating environmental services (ES) with techniques for reclaiming degraded areas (RDA) used in the mining sector, ...

Considerations About the Integration of Geological and Geotechnical Studies Applied to Engineering Projects and to Environmental Impact Assessment in São Paulo State, Brazil

This paper brings to discussion the quality of the integration of geological and geotechnical studies that is achieved for the purpose of engineering projects and for environmental impact assessment. The integration of these studies in different phases of a development is analyzed, in order to aid, both at the same time and importance, the building of suitable constructions under the engineering and environmental sustainability points of view. We expect to contribute to a better understanding of the form and the current stage of this integration, especially in relation to the effective improvement from the geological and geotechnical knowledge acquired in both application fronts. Observations accomplished in infrastructure constructions were taken as reference, featuring roads, railways, pipelines, mines, development lands and landfills, accomplished in the last years in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and submitted to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, a tool that has helped enhance the integration of geological and geotechnical studies generated in both fronts. The results show that signs of integration exist but there still is a certain separation. Some technological and management challenges have been shown in a way to better improve the integration of the geological and geotechnical knowledge in new developments.

ANÁLISE DAS PRÁTICAS DE GESTÃO AMBIENTAL DIVULGADAS PELO VAREJO SUPERMERCADISTA

O setor de varejo supermercadista e o lider de venda de produtos de consumo no pais e um dos principais segmentos da economia. Ao ciclo de comercializacao dessa importante cadeia de suprimentos associam-se impactos ambientais relacionados ao esgotamento dos recursos naturais e a geracao de residuos. As principais redes de supermercados vem realizando acoes voltadas ao meio ambiente no varejo. Com vistas a contribuir para efetiva insercao da dimensao ambiental nas operacoes do supermercado convencional brasileiro, este artigo tem como objetivo discutir as praticas de gestao ambiental do varejo supermercadista divulgadas por seis grandes redes de supermercados: tres internacionais e tres nacionais. As praticas de gestao ambiental dessas empresas foram analisadas de acordo com a sequencia estabelecida na norma NBR ISO 14001/94. Os resultados da pesquisa mostram que os aspectos ambientais das secoes de venda do supermercado convencional, identificados com base em dados primarios, estao contemplados no contexto das praticas de gestao ambiental adotadas pelas empresas estudadas. Quanto aos elementos do sistema de gestao ambiental, apenas as etapas de politica ambiental e planejamento tem seus dados divulgados de modo mais abrangente nos sitios oficiais de comunicacao dessas redes. A ausencia de divulgacao dos dados das etapas de implantacao e verificacao nao permite avaliar a eficacia do gerenciamento ambiental sobre os aspectos ambientais do setor.