Applicability of systemic approach to the development of effectiveness indicators to environmental impact assessment in Brazil: comparative study to São Paulo and Minas Gerais States

• Grant number: 12/00265-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: April 01, 2012
• End date: February 28, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Environmental Sanitation
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Montaño
• Grantee: Maria Rita Raimundo e Almeida
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Environmental Impact Assessment is the most important instrument applied to guide decisions about the implementation of development projects. Ultimately it has been criticized due to the lack of influence on significant issues as locational alternatives, which suggests a low level of effectiveness. Considering this context the analysis of effectiveness applied to EIA have been done according to different approaches, mainly focused on part of the procedures of EIA or on the accomplishment of normative requirements. Due to the complexity of EIA there is a need to investigate its effectiveness considering the instrument as a whole and, more than that, considering the relations between the parts of EIA system, their components and the actors involved. The present Doctoral research deals with EIA and environmental licensing systems from Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais states, and aims to discuss the different aspects of EIA effectiveness considering the primary target of this instrument (which is the compatibility between environmental impacts and the quality to be observed). The research will be guided for concepts and a methodological approach that considers EIA as a system and, thus, it is necessary to explore the aspects and characteristics that emerge from the relations between its components. These characteristics will feed the process of development of effectiveness indicators that will be applied to Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais systems, thus complementing similar studies that have been conducted so far. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

ALMEIDA, Maria Rita Raimundo e. Application of the systems approach to analyze the effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment in Brazil: a study in the states of São Paulo and South of Minas Gerais. 2013. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD) São Carlos.