Public policies for environmental licensing: a study on municipalization in the state of São Paulo

Abstract

This article analyzes the implementation of the policy to decentralize public environmental management, focusing on the municipalization of environmental licensing. The mechanisms adopted by the municipality of Araraquara, SP,forits environmental licensing were methodologically compared to the mechanisms used in the municipality of São Carlos, SP,by thestate of São Paulo, through the CETESB, which is the state environmental control agency. Abibliographic survey and document analysis of the public agencies wereconducted. The research elucidated thatmunicipalized environmental licensing did not decrease the time required to approvelicensesand thatno investments were made to updatethe analysis processes, unlike the state, which went through a process to virtualizeits license requests. However, the municipality of Araraquara conductsa more thorough analysis of licensed businesses to mitigateenvironmental impacts. This municipality also hasgreater contactbetween municipal public officialsand the community, which demonstrates benefits in decentralization.