The inclusion of cumulative environmental impacts in Environmental Impact Statements: the case of São Paulo sugarcane industry

Author(s)

Ana Paula Alves Dibo

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD)
• Defense date: 2013-10-04

Examining board members

Frederico Fabio Mauad; Severino Soares Agra Filho; Amarílis Lucia Castelli Figueiredo Gallardo

• Advisor: Tadeu Fabricio Malheiros

Abstract

Sugarcane ethanol has distinguished itself worldwide as a potential alternative energy source to fossil fuels. However, its production is heavily based on monoculture, intensifying the adverse impacts on environmental resources. These impacts may combine to persist over time, allowing the accumulation of these on environmental resources, making necessary a more appropriate planning of bioethanol production, for a more systemic approach into this process. Amidst these factors, addressing cumulative impacts is an essential element for the ethanol sustainability, able to assess a more holistic manner the implications of monoculture, being required during the environmental licensing process industry. This practice can be conducted through the EIA, enabling these impacts can be identified and assessed for environmental feasibility of projects in the sector can be attested, mainly by establishing an EIS. Despite the demand, there is evidence that the practice of addressing these impacts have not been adequately performed. Given the above, the research aimed to analyze how the cumulative environmental impacts are being entered into the Environmental Impact Statements of São Paulo sugarcane industry in light of the elements recommended by the CIA. To this end, potential cumulative environmental impacts from sugarcane monoculture in the environmental components surface waters, groundwater, aquatic biota and terrestrial fauna and flora were characterized, beyond the definition of criteria for analysis in environmental studies. Thus, we found the current practice of considering these impacts in EIS of sugarcane industry. The methodology was based on a literature review, semi-structured interviews, document analysis and causal model. As a result, it was found that the cumulative environmental impacts have not been adequately considered in EIS, based on the criteria used in the analysis. Among the weaknesses found, there is a lack of identification and the analyze of other activities of the past, present and future, as well as setting time limits. Moreover, it was observed that some of the cumulative impacts identified by the survey are included in the studies as direct and indirect impacts. Whereas monocultures can be characterized as sources of environmental changes on large spatial and temporal perspective, and before their repetitive nature, there is a need to establish requirements, procedures and methods to be employed for the assessment of these impacts. In this context, the Terms of Reference could direct this review by defining the criteria to be included in the studies, enabling an understanding of the disturbances growing areas in environmental systems and setting limits to be observed, besides adding value to decision- making process on the environmental feasibility of the sugarcane industry developments in the state of São Paulo. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/14657-3 - Cumulative environmental impacts for the sucroenergetic sector
• Grantee: Ana Paula Alves Dibo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master