Governing Approaches Ensuring
Environmental Protection: a
Brazilian Perspective
OECD
2-3 December 2004
Paris - France
OECD Global Forum on Sustainable Development
Historical Perspectives
 Environmental Protection: developing
countries ≠ developed countries
 Developed countries : Exploitation of
natural resources largely acknowledged
and in place. Basic social problems already
addressed.
 Developing countries: Natural Resources
abundant. Crucial social and poverty
issues.
OECD Global Forum on Sustainable Development
Developing Countries: Main
Challenges
Ensure economic growth and poverty
reduction.
Create large scale opportunities for society:
employment and revenue.
Address infrastructure issues such as roads,
railroads, ports, energy facilities, hospitals,
schools, water and sanitation treatments, etc.
Meet such goals whereas reducing
environmental impacts and conserving the
environment.
OECD Global Forum on Sustainable Development
Developing Countries and
Technology
 How to provide economic growth and
guarantee environmental protection?
 Innovation technology plays a central role
in the resolution of this conflict.
 Create new products and services and
transforming industrial processes using
technology may allow achieving less
damage to the environment.
OECD Global Forum on Sustainable Development
Developing Countries and
Command & Control
 Command & Control is a necessary
regulatory baseline all together;
 For Developing Countries they do not
suffice if taken in isolation;
 In such countries they cannot be taken in
isolation.
OECD Global Forum on Sustainable Development
Developing Countries and
Command & Control
 The perception that the private sector is a
partner in the quest for sustainable
development: beyond a C&C blue print;
 A realistic approach on the needs and
priorities of these countries;
 Flexible and creative instruments leading
to environmental compliance: voluntary
reports, simplified licensing procedures,
self-audits, etc.
OECD Global Forum on Sustainable Development
Brazil: Need for Macro and
Regional Planning
 Planning instruments are in great need of
inclusion within Brazilian's Government
agenda.
 A sound planning procedure would
address what the countries priorities are
and where they should be located.
 Proper planning on the Government's part
would entail long term, scientific and
clear-cut evidence for all stakeholders.
OECD Global Forum on Sustainable Development
Planning: Some Advantages
Adopting planning instruments such as,
i.e., the Economic-Ecological Zoning
results in:
 Diminished claims of misuse of areas and
natural resources.
 Long term certainties applied across the
board.
 More detailed perception of industries as
potential partners for sustainable
development.
OECD Global Forum on Sustainable Development
Other Governing Approaches
Ensuring Environmental Compliance
Private Sector perspective:
 Cost-effectiveness: informal reports,
voluntary compliance systems.
 Reduction of bureaucracy in licensing
processes.
 Economic incentives for cleaner production.
 Market induction for sound environmental
products with scale generation.
OECD Global Forum on Sustainable Development
CONCLUSION
 Developing countries are faced with the
challenge of economic growth, poverty
reduction and environmental protection.
 The private sector plays a major role in
meeting all three aspects mentioned.
 Command & Control instruments are not
enough to properly address such
challenge.
 Planning instruments (ZEE, etc.) are in
great need of inclusion in Brazilian's
Government agenda.
Confederação Nacional da Indústria
Brazilian National Confederation of Industry
http://www.cni.org.br
Maurício Mendonça Jorge
Coordinator of Industrial Competitiveness Unit
Phone: + 55 61 317-9473
mmendonca@cni.org.br