ENVIRONMENTAL LICENSING AND SOCIAL PERCEPTION: PATHS TO SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

Environmental licensing is a key regulatory instrument in Brazil, structured to reconcile economic development and environmental protection, based on the principle of prevention. Regulated by the National Environmental Policy, Complementary Law No. 140/2011, and CONAMA resolutions, the process involves preliminary, installation, and operation stages, and requires detailed studies such as the EIA/RIMA. Social participation and the environmental perception of the population are essential to ensure legitimacy and transparency. The integrated approach, supported by the Theory of Environmental Complexity, allows for the consideration of ecological, economic, cultural, and social dimensions in an interdependent manner, promoting more sustainable and well-founded decisions.