The growing demand for electricity in large Brazilian cities and the distance to the region with the largest energy production have encouraged the construction of transmission lines thousands of kilometers long, cross...The growing demand for electricity in large Brazilian cities and the distance to the region with the largest energy production have encouraged the construction of transmission lines thousands of kilometers long, crossing several states of the federation. Therefore, the heterogeneity of requirements in federal, state and district environmental laws tend to lead to uncertainty for the investor regarding procedures and investments necessary for the completion of the project, as well as the time that the requirements will take to be fulfilled. In the present study, we identify and compare the criteria used by the various environmental licensing agencies for classifying transmission system projects in the different procedures(simplified and ordinary) of environmental licensing. It was possible to expose the differences and demonstrate some inconsistencies in the legislation of some Brazilian states. In particular, we note an absence of proportionality between the licensing requirements and the expected environmental impacts for projects on the physical, biological and social environments. Additionally, it was identified subjectivity in the requirement for social participation through public hearings, demanded by the legislation for the projects classified in the ordinary procedure.展开更多
The wider consideration of environmental effects and alternatives in early stages of decision-making has been pointed as one of the major benefits of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). Adopted by virtually all ...The wider consideration of environmental effects and alternatives in early stages of decision-making has been pointed as one of the major benefits of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). Adopted by virtually all of developed countries and sprawling around emergent and developing ones, it is recognized that SEA effectiveness is attached to its systematic application in development plans and programmes. Brazil and many developing countries have different experiences with this instrument and lacks of definition of a procedural framework to promote the use of SEA in strategic levels of decision. As a consequence development projects are frequently “threatened” by impact assessment outcomes, especially when a mandatory project-EIA has to inform decisions. In order to contribute to the implementation of SEA in developing countries, the present paper discusses the potential benefits of using SEA in transport infrastructure plans and programmes, through a case study applied to transport plans in the state of Sao Paulo (south-eastern Brazil). The outcomes indicate that SEA could contribute to improve infrastructure impact assessments, minimizing social and environmental conflicts, augmenting the acceptability of projects and decisions, reinforcing the need for SEA to be systematically implemented in Brazil.展开更多
The use of the extraordinary hydroelectric potential of the Amazon Basin originated an increase in the offer of renewable energy in Brazil, which, in its turn, leads to conflicts and a lack of consensus among differen...The use of the extraordinary hydroelectric potential of the Amazon Basin originated an increase in the offer of renewable energy in Brazil, which, in its turn, leads to conflicts and a lack of consensus among different players owing to the potential negative impacts related to the construction and operation of large hydroelectric power plants in relatively well preserved areas. In this context, environmental licensing is one of the national environmental policy’s main instruments for making decisions regarding the use of the hydroelectric potential, especially the rivers of the Amazon Basin. Nevertheless, this significant instrument has its limitations and requires adjustments in order to better aid the decision making process regarding the use of water resources and land with the goal of increasing the offer of electric energy.展开更多
In the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, public policies regarding the air quality aimed at the welfare of the population are strongly dependent on monitoring conducted by the Sao Paulo State Environmental Company (CETESB),...In the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, public policies regarding the air quality aimed at the welfare of the population are strongly dependent on monitoring conducted by the Sao Paulo State Environmental Company (CETESB), which can be influenced by faulty monitors and equipment support and cuts in power supply, among others. A research conducted from 1998 to 2008 indicated that a significant portion of the air quality automatic stations in the state of Sao Paulo did not meet the criterion of representativeness of measurements of PM10, NO2, O3, CO and SO2 concentrations which resulted in the classification of some municipalities as the nonattainment area, a situation evidenced for PM10 and O3 parameters. The network unavailability for each parameter was estimated and compared with the monitoring networks operated in Canada and the UK. This paper discusses the implications of the lack of representativeness of measurements in the environmental licensing process of pollution sources from 2008, when by the effect of state law, municipalities have been qualified according to their air quality nonattainment level.展开更多
基金P&D ANEEL (Electric Energy Sector Research and Technological Development Program in Brazil), which allows us to dare and innovate in dealing with routine issuesSGBH (State Grid Brazil Holding) for sponsoring believing in boldness and challenge。
文摘The growing demand for electricity in large Brazilian cities and the distance to the region with the largest energy production have encouraged the construction of transmission lines thousands of kilometers long, crossing several states of the federation. Therefore, the heterogeneity of requirements in federal, state and district environmental laws tend to lead to uncertainty for the investor regarding procedures and investments necessary for the completion of the project, as well as the time that the requirements will take to be fulfilled. In the present study, we identify and compare the criteria used by the various environmental licensing agencies for classifying transmission system projects in the different procedures(simplified and ordinary) of environmental licensing. It was possible to expose the differences and demonstrate some inconsistencies in the legislation of some Brazilian states. In particular, we note an absence of proportionality between the licensing requirements and the expected environmental impacts for projects on the physical, biological and social environments. Additionally, it was identified subjectivity in the requirement for social participation through public hearings, demanded by the legislation for the projects classified in the ordinary procedure.
文摘The wider consideration of environmental effects and alternatives in early stages of decision-making has been pointed as one of the major benefits of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). Adopted by virtually all of developed countries and sprawling around emergent and developing ones, it is recognized that SEA effectiveness is attached to its systematic application in development plans and programmes. Brazil and many developing countries have different experiences with this instrument and lacks of definition of a procedural framework to promote the use of SEA in strategic levels of decision. As a consequence development projects are frequently “threatened” by impact assessment outcomes, especially when a mandatory project-EIA has to inform decisions. In order to contribute to the implementation of SEA in developing countries, the present paper discusses the potential benefits of using SEA in transport infrastructure plans and programmes, through a case study applied to transport plans in the state of Sao Paulo (south-eastern Brazil). The outcomes indicate that SEA could contribute to improve infrastructure impact assessments, minimizing social and environmental conflicts, augmenting the acceptability of projects and decisions, reinforcing the need for SEA to be systematically implemented in Brazil.
文摘The use of the extraordinary hydroelectric potential of the Amazon Basin originated an increase in the offer of renewable energy in Brazil, which, in its turn, leads to conflicts and a lack of consensus among different players owing to the potential negative impacts related to the construction and operation of large hydroelectric power plants in relatively well preserved areas. In this context, environmental licensing is one of the national environmental policy’s main instruments for making decisions regarding the use of the hydroelectric potential, especially the rivers of the Amazon Basin. Nevertheless, this significant instrument has its limitations and requires adjustments in order to better aid the decision making process regarding the use of water resources and land with the goal of increasing the offer of electric energy.
文摘In the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, public policies regarding the air quality aimed at the welfare of the population are strongly dependent on monitoring conducted by the Sao Paulo State Environmental Company (CETESB), which can be influenced by faulty monitors and equipment support and cuts in power supply, among others. A research conducted from 1998 to 2008 indicated that a significant portion of the air quality automatic stations in the state of Sao Paulo did not meet the criterion of representativeness of measurements of PM10, NO2, O3, CO and SO2 concentrations which resulted in the classification of some municipalities as the nonattainment area, a situation evidenced for PM10 and O3 parameters. The network unavailability for each parameter was estimated and compared with the monitoring networks operated in Canada and the UK. This paper discusses the implications of the lack of representativeness of measurements in the environmental licensing process of pollution sources from 2008, when by the effect of state law, municipalities have been qualified according to their air quality nonattainment level.
