The Decentralization of Environmental Licensing as Perceived by Stakeholders in 84 Brazilian Municipalities

Abstract

The decentralization of environmental licensing to the municipal level has been growing steadily in Brazil, especially after the incentives provided by Complementary Law 140/2011. This phenomenon is being investigated by numerous scholars, but few studies have addressed the differences in decentralization experiences across the Brazilian territory. This article presents the results of a study that aimed at understanding how different stakeholders perceive the decentralization of environmental licensing in Brazil. The study adopted a mixed-method research approach. Data (quantitative and qualitative) was collected through an online survey and then analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 134 valid questionnaires representing 84 municipalities in 20 states were analyzed. Findings corroborate existence of a strong perception that the Brazilian municipalities have low institutional capacity, which shows mainly in the lack of human and financial resources at local environmental agencies. The study, however, identified a sharp contrast of perception related to the efficiency of the municipal licensing system between those who work inside and outside local governments. Overall, findings suggest that the decentralization of environmental licensing is adding another layer of responsibilities to local governments, whose management capacities are already jeopardized by historical problems of the Brazilian federalism. Therefore, decentralization might be simply spreading the already existing problems from the state and federal licensing processes to the municipal level. The article suggests future studies.