Environmental impact assessment, from Rio-92 to Rio+20 and beyond

Abstract

The 1992 Rio Earth Summit was of paramount importance in the consolidation and international dissemination of environmental impact assessment, officially recognized as a tool for informed decision-making towards sustainable development (Principle 17, Rio Declaration) and for protection of biodiversity (Article 14, Convention on Biological Diversity). A significant development afterwards was the strengthening of strategic environmental assessment in the design of policies, plans and programs. Both forms of impact assessment can establish the necessary connections between one goal of the Rio+20 Conference - reaching an agreement on the transition to a green economy - and the underpinning decision making processes. Although the Rio+20 Summit has faced challenges to acknowledge its potential, impact assessment should be strengthened in support of both government and business decisions.<br>La Cumbre de la Tierra de 1992 fue de la más grande importancia en la consolidación y diseminación de la evaluación de impacto ambiental, oficialmente reconocida como una herramienta para la toma de decisiones informada hacia el desarrollo sostenible (Principio 17, Declaración de Rio) y para la protección de la biodiversidad (Artículo 14, Convención de la Diversidad Biológica). Un avanzo posterior importante fue el fortalecimiento de la evaluación ambiental estratégica en la preparación de políticas, planos y programas. Ambas formas de evaluación de impacto son capaces de establecer los necesarios vínculos entre un objetivo declarado de la Conferencia Rio+2- - llegar a un acuerdo sobre la transición para una economía verde - y los procesos decisorios subyacentes. Aunque la Cumbre Rio+20 tenga encontrado dificultades en reconocer su potencial, la evaluación de impactos debería ser fortalecida en soporte de decisiones gubernamentales y privadas.<br>A Cúpula da Terra de 1992, no Rio de Janeiro, teve a maior importância na consolidação e disseminação internacional da avaliação de impacto ambiental, oficialmente reconhecida como uma ferramenta de auxílio a decisões rumo ao desenvolvimento sustentável (Princípio 17 da Declaração do Rio) e para a proteção da biodiversidade (Artigo 14 da Convenção da Diversidade Biológica). Um desenvolvimento posterior significativo foi o fortalecimento da avaliação ambiental estratégica na preparação de políticas, planos e programas. Ambas as formas de avaliação de impacto têm a capacidade de estabelecer os necessários vínculos entre o objetivo declarado da Conferência Rio+20 - alcançar um acordo quando à transição para uma economia verde - e os processos decisórios subjacentes. Embora a Rio+20 tenha encontrado dificuldades para reconhecer seu potencial, a avaliação de impactos deveria ser fortalecida em apoio a decisões governamentais e privadas

Management of transboundary natural resources

“…During this gathering supported by 191 countries all over the world, green economy was pushed (IFPRI, 2012). It has been driving the establishment of national environment protection legislations, such as that of Samoa"s (Smith et al, 2014), as well as international policies that foster sustainable environment (Sanchez and Croal, 2012). The Earth Summit impacted concerns for transboundary natural resource sustainability and expressed through multilateral and bilateral approaches (Mayoral-Philips, 2017).…”

Strategic Environmental Assessment for Planning Sugarcane Expansion: A Framework Proposal

“…Previous research highlighted the lack of consistency in the Brazilian SEA procedures and the need to improve the current system emphasizing the urgency of the discussion of methodologies, approaches and ways for implementing and improving instrument practice (SÁNCHEZ; SILVA-SÁNCHEZ, 2008;PELLIN et al, 2011;MONTAÑO, 2013). Sánchez and Croal (2012) considered relevant to promote the expansion of SEA in the jurisdictions in which their contribution has not been fully appreciated, as is the case in Brazil. Margato and Sánchez (2014), from a critical review of the practice of Brazilian SEA, expose a paradox about the procedures and methods for their effectiveness.…”

From neighbors to future generations: we are all together! On integration in impact assessment practice

“…Its various ramifications led to the recognition that a project, program, plan or policy may affect not only the biophysical environment, but also several other dimensions. Its successful international expansion and adoption by international conventions (Sánchez & Croal 2012) unveiled impact dimensions probably unforeseen by those who idealized IA, such as human rights. Specialists can contribute to IA by providing in-depth analysis.…”