Implementation of Good Practices in Environmental Licensing Processes

Emiliano Lobo de Godoi (), Thiago Augusto Mendes and André C. S. Batalhão
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Emiliano Lobo de Godoi: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia 74605-220, GO, Brazil
Thiago Augusto Mendes: Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Goiás (IFG), Aparecida de Goiânia 74968-755, GO, Brazil
André C. S. Batalhão: Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research (CENSE), Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, School of Science and Technology, Nova University Lisbon, Caparica, 2829-516 Almada, Portugal

Laws, 2022, vol. 11, issue 5, 1-15

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: command and control; environmental licensing; good environmental practices; environmental management; sustainability assessment; ISO 14001 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D78 E61 E62 F13 F42 F68 K0 K1 K2 K3 K4 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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