Implementation of Good Practices in Environmental Licensing Processes

One of the main command and control mechanisms for the environment is the environmental licensing process. However, the isolated adoption of this mechanism has not satisfactorily ensured the environmental quality of natural resources. On the other hand, an increasing number of organizations are volu...

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Main Authors: Emiliano Lobo de Godoi, Thiago Augusto Mendes, André C. S. Batalhão
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-10-01
Series:Laws
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-471X/11/5/77
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author Emiliano Lobo de Godoi
Thiago Augusto Mendes
André C. S. Batalhão
author_facet Emiliano Lobo de Godoi
Thiago Augusto Mendes
André C. S. Batalhão
author_sort Emiliano Lobo de Godoi
collection DOAJ
description One of the main command and control mechanisms for the environment is the environmental licensing process. However, the isolated adoption of this mechanism has not satisfactorily ensured the environmental quality of natural resources. On the other hand, an increasing number of organizations are voluntarily adhering to good environmental practices. As a result, approximating the relationship between command and control instruments (state regulation) and good practices becomes increasingly important for improving the environmental performance of organizations. Within this context, the present work proposes to evaluate how good environmental practices can strengthen and advance current environmental licensing models adopted in South America. This research consists of an exploratory case study, conducted with a qualitative approach. Several countries in South America were evaluated because of the great natural resources that the region has, as well as the European Economic Community, due to their adoption of the so-called “best available techniques” of environmental management since 1996. The results of the study indicated that voluntary adherence to international environmental management standards has evolved in the analyzed countries and that environmental agencies in South American countries could establish legal bases to consolidate the inclusion of good environmental practices in environmental licensing processes. It was also observed that some benefits could be given to organizations that implement good environmental practices, such as granting of licenses with extended terms; debureaucratization (with time gain) of administrative procedures; exemption or reduction of fees; and facilitation of financing. This study could thus support debates for the effective advancement of the current environmental licensing model. However, this hypothesis must be evaluated and consolidated through further research, carried out individually for each country analyzed.
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spelling doaj.art-5210867423a8473086d35bd35722d94a2023-11-30T22:50:20ZengMDPI AGLaws2075-471X2022-10-011157710.3390/laws11050077Implementation of Good Practices in Environmental Licensing ProcessesEmiliano Lobo de Godoi0Thiago Augusto Mendes1André C. S. Batalhão2School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia 74605-220, GO, BrazilFederal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Goiás (IFG), Aparecida de Goiânia 74968-755, GO, BrazilCenter for Environmental and Sustainability Research (CENSE), Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, School of Science and Technology, Nova University Lisbon, Caparica, 2829-516 Almada, PortugalOne of the main command and control mechanisms for the environment is the environmental licensing process. However, the isolated adoption of this mechanism has not satisfactorily ensured the environmental quality of natural resources. On the other hand, an increasing number of organizations are voluntarily adhering to good environmental practices. As a result, approximating the relationship between command and control instruments (state regulation) and good practices becomes increasingly important for improving the environmental performance of organizations. Within this context, the present work proposes to evaluate how good environmental practices can strengthen and advance current environmental licensing models adopted in South America. This research consists of an exploratory case study, conducted with a qualitative approach. Several countries in South America were evaluated because of the great natural resources that the region has, as well as the European Economic Community, due to their adoption of the so-called “best available techniques” of environmental management since 1996. The results of the study indicated that voluntary adherence to international environmental management standards has evolved in the analyzed countries and that environmental agencies in South American countries could establish legal bases to consolidate the inclusion of good environmental practices in environmental licensing processes. It was also observed that some benefits could be given to organizations that implement good environmental practices, such as granting of licenses with extended terms; debureaucratization (with time gain) of administrative procedures; exemption or reduction of fees; and facilitation of financing. This study could thus support debates for the effective advancement of the current environmental licensing model. However, this hypothesis must be evaluated and consolidated through further research, carried out individually for each country analyzed.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-471X/11/5/77command and controlenvironmental licensinggood environmental practicesenvironmental managementsustainability assessmentISO 14001
spellingShingle Emiliano Lobo de Godoi
Thiago Augusto Mendes
André C. S. Batalhão
Implementation of Good Practices in Environmental Licensing Processes
Laws
command and control
environmental licensing
good environmental practices
environmental management
sustainability assessment
ISO 14001
title Implementation of Good Practices in Environmental Licensing Processes
title_full Implementation of Good Practices in Environmental Licensing Processes
title_fullStr Implementation of Good Practices in Environmental Licensing Processes
title_full_unstemmed Implementation of Good Practices in Environmental Licensing Processes
title_short Implementation of Good Practices in Environmental Licensing Processes
title_sort implementation of good practices in environmental licensing processes
topic command and control
environmental licensing
good environmental practices
environmental management
sustainability assessment
ISO 14001
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-471X/11/5/77
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