Effectiveness analysis of strategic environmental assessment as an environmental policy instrument in Brazil

Author(s)

Anne Caroline Malvestio

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD)
• Defense date: 2013-07-16

Examining board members

Marcelo Montaño; Tomás Augusto Barros Ramos; Marcelo Pereira de Souza

• Advisor: Marcelo Montaño

Abstract

The purpose of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is to support decision-making, advising possible consequences of strategic actions (Politics, Plans and Programmes), thus ensuring that environmental issues are taken into account as soon as possible in strategic planning. Recently, SEA effectiveness is being studied intending to improve its practice. In Brazil, regardless some institutional initiatives to formalize the SEA, it is not legally required and there is no national guidelines, which makes the SEA practice. In order to fill in the gap of information about the proceedings and the influence of these SEA practices in decision making, the purpose of this study was to analyse the effectiveness of Brazilian SEA, reviewing the procedural effectiveness for 26 SEAs (72% of all the identified Brazilian SEA done between 1997 and 2012) and the substantive effectiveness for three cases. The results shown that, generally, Brazilian practice is not procedurally consistent, being highly dependent on the stakeholders involved. Besides, SEA does not influence the main decisionmaking and is focused in mitigation actions. Nevertheless, the SEA achieved some positive effects, e.g. publishing important information about planning process, and improving the communication between institutions and sectors. These findings suggest that it is necessary to discuss the SEA use in Brazilian context, especially considering and defining its goals and proceedings to avoid the variability and inadequacies observed, as well as enhancing its use in strategic levels and at more appropriate timing, intending to really contribute to decision process. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/05242-7 - Effectiveness analysis of strategic environmental assessment as an instrument of environmental policy in Brazil
• Grantee: Anne Caroline Malvestio
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master