National Implementation of Agenda 21
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Information Provided by the Government of Brazil to the
United Nations Department for Policy Coordination and
Sustainable Development
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This country profile has been provided by:
Name of Ministry/Office: Ministry of Environment, Water Resources and the Amazon
Date:
Submitted by: Ms. Aspasia Camargo, Executive Secretary
Mailing address: Esplanada dos Ministerios, Bloco B, No. 6, andar, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
Telephone: 55-61-317-1204
Telefax:
E-mail:
Note from the Secretariat: An effort has been made to present all country profiles within a common format, with an equal number of pages. However, where Governments have not provided information for the tables appended to Chapters 4 and 17, those tables have been omitted entirely in order to reduce the overall length of the profile and save paper. Consequently, there may be some minor inconsistencies among the formats of the different country profiles.
All statistics are rendered as provided by the respective Governments.
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APELL | Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level |
CFC | chlorofluorocarbon |
CGIAR | Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research |
CILSS | Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel |
EEZ | exclusive economic zone |
ECA | Economic Commission for Africa |
ECE | Economic Commission for Europe |
ECLAC | Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean |
ELCI | Environmental Liaison Centre International |
EMINWA | environmentally sound management of inland water |
ESCAP | Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific |
ESCWA | Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia |
FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |
GATT | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade |
GAW | Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO) |
GEF | Global Environment Facility |
GEMS | Global Environmental Monitoring System (UNEP) |
GEMS/WATER | Global Water Quality Monitoring Programme |
GESAMP | Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution |
GIPME | Global Investigation of Pollution in Marine Environment (UNESCO) |
GIS | Geographical Information System |
GLOBE | Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment |
GOS | Global Observing System (WMO/WWW) |
GRID | Global Resource Information Database |
GSP | generalized system of preferences |
HIV | human immunodeficiency virus |
IAEA | International Atomic Energy Agency |
IAP-WASAD | International Action Programme on Water and Sustainable Agricultural Development |
IARC | International Agency for Research on Cancer |
IBSRAM | International Board of Soil Resources and Management |
ICCA | International Council of Chemical Associations |
ICES | International Council for the Exploration of the Sea |
ICPIC | International Cleaner Production Information Clearing House |
ICSC | International Civil Service Commission |
ICSU | International Council of Scientific Unions |
IEEA | Integrated environmental and economic accounting |
IFAD | International Fund for Agricultural Development |
IGADD | Intergovernmental Authority for Drought and Development |
IGBP | International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (ICSU) |
IGBP/START | International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme/Global Change System for Analysis, Research and Training |
ILO | International Labour Organisation |
IMF | International Monetary Fund |
IMO | International Maritime Organization |
INFOTERRA | International Environment Information system (UNEP) |
IOC | Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission |
IPCC | Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |
IPCS | International Programme on Chemical Safety |
IPM | integrated pest management |
IRPTC | International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals |
ITC | International Tin Council |
ITTO | International Tropical Timber Organization |
IUCN | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
MARPOL | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships |
OECD | Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development |
PGRFA | plant genetic resources for agriculture |
PIC | prior informed consent procedure |
SADCC | South African Development Co-ordination Conference |
SARD | sustainable agriculture and rural development |
UNCTAD | United Nations Conference on Trade and Development |
UNDP | United Nations Development Programme |
UNDRO | Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator |
UNEP | United Nations Environment Programme |
UNESCO | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization |
UNFPA | United Nations Population Fund |
UNICEF | United Nations Children's Fund |
UNIDO | United Nations Industrial Development Organization |
UNU | United Nations University |
WCP | World Climate Programme (WMO/UNEP/ICSU/UNESCO) |
WFC | World Food Council |
WHO | World Health Organization |
WMO | World Meteorological Organization |
WWF | World Wide Fund for Nature (also called World Wildlife Fund) |
WWW | World Weather Watch (WMO) |
Brazil is a large country, ranking fifth in the world in terms of area and population, and eleventh in GNP. However, significant forest, water and biodiversity resources are unevenly distributed throughout its territory and considerable imbalance exists in the social and economic conditions of the different regions, as well as between urban and rural populations, especially regarding personal income and access to basic services. For those reasons, the most noteworthy changes during the 1992-1997 period took place in the economic and social areas, along with a process of institutional reform that will have its effects on public policies, including those related to the environment, and point to more sustainable perspectives in the medium term. A major achievement in terms of public administration, with strong support from society, was the Plano Real, launched in July 1994, perhaps the fourth or fifth attempt carried out to achieve monetary stabilization, after 30 years of persistently high rates of inflation, which exceeded 2000%, in 1993. Results for 1996 showed a declining rate close to a one-digit figure for the year. Consumer demand and economic growth has been curtailed due to the prevailing high interest rates, with a tendency toward a gradual decrease. Foreign currency reserves reached an all time high, well in excess of US$ 50 bilion in view of positive inflows of outside investment. The trade balance for 1995 and 1996 was negative as a result of liberalization and the lowering of tariff levels, which came down from an average of 51% in 1988, to 13% in 1993. Trade flows exceeded US$ 100 billion for the first time in history, with increased imports, mostly of primary products and capital goods. The social agenda was definitely upgraded since UNCED. The precarious situation shown in UNDPs 1995 Human Development Report, ranking Brazil globally as 63rd, demanded new action insofar as poverty, education, health, urban infrastructure and other indicators were concerned. A concerted effort to address those issues is described in Chapters 3, 36, 6, 7, among others, requiring political will, significant investment, and increased efficiency in private and public sector decision-making and operational procedures. Institutional reform was therefore inevitable, pointing to decentralization, privatization, better coordination and a clearer division of responsibility among the three levels of government, improved political, fiscal and public management practices, and a more stable social security system, as highlights of the process. Gradual improvement in all these sectors is an essential feature for a better performance in the environmental area, which has led the way in setting up decentralized systems and practices and in pursuing a broader participation of society in enacting policy and in decision making through appropriate mechanisms. Progress has been achieved in recent years in terms of public awareness and through federal/state and public/private partnerships, although actual enforcement of environmental legislation, use of control instruments and environmental education activities have not had so far a decisive effect in ensuring a widespread conservationist attitude. As in other fields, much remains to be accomplished, regarding the availability and access to adequate information, the use of economic instruments and the dissemination of sound practices that would stimulate a sense of responsible stewardship, in order to involve all citizens in the protection of valuable habitats and species, and to rationally utilize the countrys ample and diversified natural resources.
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1. Name of Key National Sustainable Development Coordination Mechanism(s)/Council(s).
Interministerial Commission on Sustainable Development (CIDES)
Contact point (Name, Title, Office): CIDES Secretariat : Ministry of Environment, Water Resources and the Amazon
Telephone: +55-61-317 1205 Fax: +55-61- e-mail:
Mailing address: Secretaria Executiva, Ministério do Meio Ambiente, dos Recuros Hídricos e da Amazonia Legal Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco B, 6o. andar, Brasília, DF - Brazil
2. Membership/Composition/Chairperson:
2a. List of ministries and agencies involved: All Federal Ministries, chaired by the Ministry of Planning and Budget
- Coordinators : Ministries of External Relations, Science and Technology, Environment, Water Resources and the Amazon.
- Main public institutions involved :the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Resources (IBAMA); The Presidents Chamber of Natural Resources Policies
2b. Names of para-statal bodies and institutions involved, as well as participating of academic and private sector bodies: No information.
2c. Names of non-governmental organizations involved: No information
3. Mandate role of above mechanism/council:
- coordination, at the federal level, of activities aimed at introducing the sustainability component into development-oriented decisions.
4. If available, attach a diagram (organization chart) showing national coordination structure and linkages between ministries:
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AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 2: INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
TO ACCELERATE SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND RELATED DOMESTIC
POLICIES (with special emphasis on TRADE)
The Real Plan, launched in July 1994, cut down the annual
inflation rate, which had reached an all time high of 2,708
% in 1993, to about 10% in 1996. GNP is estimated as more than $
800 billion at Purchasing Power Parity rates, having
grown at a moderate but positive pace in the five-year period.
Total financial assistance from bilateral and multilateral
sources represents less than 0.1% of GNP annually. There
are over 3.5 million industrial and commercial establishments. The
small and very small or micro companies are 98% in
number, representing 60% of jobs, and 43% of sales. The informal
sector, however, may contribute with as much as 40%
of GNP.
External debt figures rose since 1992, but totals represent
less than one fifth of GNP and three times the level of
foreign reserves.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: High
STATUS REPORT: Measures taken by the Government
in 1993 and 1994 to eliminate or reduce trade barriers have
changed the former positive trade balance figures, observed since
1981, and which had exceeded the level of US$ 19
billion in 1988, into trade deficits which topped the US$5 bilion
mark in 1996. Imports have risen appreciably, mostly of
durable and capital goods.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministries of External
Relations, of Finance and of Trade, Industry and Tourism are
responsible for most of the decisions related to the topics under
this Chapter.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: The South American
Common Market Agreement (Mercosul/Mercosur) entered
by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay became operational in
1995, and has since been joined by Chile and Bolivia.
A Common Import Tariff, applicable to over 9000 items, varies from
zero to 20%; exceptions not exceeding 400 items
per country are allowed until the year 2001. A Mercosul product
must have at least 60% of its inputs produced locally.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 3: COMBATING POVERTY
Focus of national strategy
One of the most relevant factors for the analysis of
sustainability in Brazil is the question of poverty. The poverty
line
may be defined as the total household income necessary : first to
acquire basic foodstuffs compatible with recommended
minimum nutrient requirements, and secondly, to have access to
basic services, whereas the indigence line only takes into
account the first parameter. There is considerable diversity within
Brazil as to household income levels and expenditures,
purchasing power in general and, as referred to, the minimum wage,
as well as costs of goods and services. There is also
a shortage of consistent and regular data on the subject.
In any case, consideration of national statistics for policy
making purposes,with regard to poverty, such as figures
of 30% poor and 12% indigents in the overall population for the
year 1990, should account for the significant rural-urban and
regional imbalances. The proportion of rural poor represented 53
% of the total rural population whereas in
urban areas the poor were 18% of total, in 1990. On the other
hand, the Northeast, with 30 % of the countrys
population, concentrated 55% of all the poor in Brazil.
Poverty levels seem to have declined since the inception of
the Real Plan in July 1994. A comparative study of
the six largest metropolitan areas, which account for one third of
the overall urban population but have a higher than
average percentage of the urban poor, indicated a reduction from
14.8 million at that time to 10.7 million poor in
December 1995, or a return to absolute figures for 1990 and
consequently, smaller percentages. The average income and
access to services within the poor group in the Southeast, as
shown in social indicators, remained higher than in the
Northeastern metropolises.
Highlight activities aimed at the poor and linkages to the
environment
No information.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: Very High
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: A major nationwide program,
"Comunidade Solidária" (Solidary Community), was
launched in 1995 by the Federal Government to coordinate the work
of public agencies and mobilize society in combating
hunger and poverty. An Advisory Board and an Executive Secretariat,
at the Presidential level, are responsible for
establishing sectoral and geographic priorities, promoting
decentralized projects undertaken by all three levels of
government and attracting broad participation by society in their
implementation. Optimization of government initiatives,
support to public-private partnerships and a focus on major groups
at risk, such as children, youth and the unemployed are
main targets of the program, which has food security, basic
education, jobs and income, infant mortality, family farming,
urban improvement and as priorities.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No
information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation:
NB: Developed countries, where domestic poverty alleviation is not
a major concern may wish to briefly describe their
position regarding global poverty alleviation.
Latest 199_ | |||||
Unemployment (%) | |||||
Population living in absolute poverty | |||||
Public spending on social sector % | |||||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 4: CHANGING CONSUMPTION
PATTERNS
National policy objectives/focus The main focus of policies
and discussions related to consumption levels has been on
urban issues and consumers rights and education, involving waste
recycling and selective collection, automobile pollution
management and transportation patterns. The rational use of natural
resources has also brought about governmental
initiatives such as the electric power economy program, the Green
Protocol and a review of the ethanol program.
National targets
Producers and households are the most clearly targeted groups
by governmental policies.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: Medium
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Environment
has coordinated the discussion of this subject, which has
been of interest most to both public and private consumer
protection organizations.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Priorities for Brazil
include consumer education and communication
techniques, as well energy, soil and water conservation, and
sustainable forest management issues.
3. Major Groups: Several NGOs have been involved in various
aspects of this broad subject. CEMPRE - a Rio de
Janeiro-based industry-supported initiative has been active in the
field of recycling and reuse of wastes, as a clearing
house for waste products and in providing educational material and
orientation to industry, local government and poor rag-pickers in
urban areas.
4. Finance: Not significant.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: A Brazil-Norway
Workshop on Sustainable Production and Consumption
Patterns took place in Brasilia in November 1996, attended by
specialists from both countries, other Latin American
nations, IGOs and NGOs, the CSD Secretariat and other
organizations. A joint statement was issued by both Ministers,
addressed to the UN Secretary General, and a cooperative program
drafted to allow for exchanges of information and
experiences between the two countries.
Latest 199_ | |||||
GDP per capita (current US$) | |||||
Real GDP growth (%) | |||||
Annual energy consumption per capita (Kg. of oil equivalent per capita) | |||||
Motor vehicles in use per 1000 inhabitants | |||||
Other data 1 = 1980/91 |
Government policies affecting consumption and production.
1. Goals and Agents (Stakeholders)
Indicate with a (X) those agents which your Governments policies are meant most to influence.
Agents Goals | |||||
Material efficiency | |||||
Energy efficiency: | |||||
Transport | |||||
Housing | |||||
Other | |||||
Waste: | |||||
Reduce | |||||
Reuse | |||||
Recycle |
Comments:
2. Means & Measures and Agents (Stakeholders)
Indicate with an (R) those agents who assume primary responsibility for any of the policy measures indicated; indicate with an (I) the agents for which the impact is expected to be especially significant.
Agents Means & Measures | |||||
Improving understanding and analysis | |||||
Information and education (e.g., radio/TV/press) | |||||
Research | |||||
Evaluating environmental claims | |||||
Form partnerships | |||||
Applying tools for modifying behaviour | |||||
Community based strategies | |||||
Social incentives/disincentives (e.g., ecolabelling) | |||||
Regulatory instruments | |||||
Economic incentives/disincentives | |||||
Voluntary agreements of producer responsibility for
aspects of product life cycle | |||||
Provision of enabling facilities and infrastructure (e.g., transportation alternatives, recycling) | |||||
Procurement policy | |||||
Monitoring, evaluating and reviewing performance | |||||
Action campaign | |||||
Other (specify) |
Comments:
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 5: DEMOGRAPHIC DYNAMICS AND
SUSTAINABILITY
NATIONAL PRIORITY: Medium | ||||
STATUS REPORT: The annual population
growth rate, which was high until the sixties, has shown a marked
decline
since then. A rapid drop in the fertility rate took place in every
region, most specifically in urban areas and in the high
income and educational levels. As such, fertility rates have come
down from an average of 5.8% in the sixties to 3.2%
in the eighties, and the annual growth rate from 2.9% to 2.1%
respectively. The 1991 census figures have been updated by annual household sample surveys. Projections to the year 2000 point to about 165 million in total population, and levels off at about 250 million around the year 2050. - Government views population growth and fertility level figures, nationwide, as satisfactory, but they could be somewhat lower in the less developed regions and urban areas.
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1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministries most directly
involved in demographic issues are Planning and Budget,
Health, Education, Labor and Social Security. Those, as well as the
Ministries of Justice and the Environment coordinate
their efforts in the fields of population, environment and
development.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Latest 1995 | ||||
Population (Thousands) mid-year estimates | ||||
Annual rate of increase (1990-1993) | ||||
Surface area (Km2) | ||||
Population density (people/Km2) | ||||
Other data
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AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 6: PROTECTING AND PROMOTING
HUMAN HEALTH
Public health figures show the precariousness of basic
sanitation services, and the persistence of endemic
diseases. The annual mortality rate of the population stands at
about 0.6%, or approximately 1 million people. The main
causes of death have been due to circulatory diseases, external
factors (accidents, homicides and other), and neoplasms,
in that order, but vary according to the region, and to
educational and income levels. Water borne diseases are most
common in the North and parasitic diseases in the Northeast,
whereas most of the deaths from external causes, including
traffic accidents and homicides, occur in the Southeast.
Malaria persists in the Amazon region as a public health
challenge, and cases of tuberculosis and AIDS have
increased since 1992. On the other hand, the incidence of
hansenosis has been halved since 1990, and no new cases are
expected by the year 2000. Eradication is the target for meningitis
and neonatal tetanus by 1998, and same for Aedes
egypti (yellow fever and backbone fever) and Triatoma
infestans(Chagas disease). Polio has been eliminated since 1989,
and figures for Diphtheria and whooping cough were down to one
third in 1994 of what they were in 1991. Other health
issues include : alcoholics represent 15% of adult men and 9% of
women; neurotic disturbances affect from 9 to 18% of
the population, and less than 10% of the population benefits from
regular dental care.
The Unified Health System provided for 12.6 million
internments in circa 2 thousand public and private hospitals
in 1995, and 1.2 billion consultations in out-patient clinics.
There are 507m hospital beds, or about 300 beds per
inhabitants, one third of which in public establishments. The
average number of persons per doctor or registered nurse, in
1990 were respectively 847 and 3448.
As to the situation of major groups :
- 66% of women at reproductive age adopted some form of
contraceptive measures, and 42% of whom were
sterilized. The number of abortions is estimated at 1.5 million per
year, whereas 95% of births were attended by trained
health personnel and 43% of infants were breast fed at 6 months.
- 7% of all children were underweight under age 5, and
malnutrition may affect up to 30% of that age group.
Infant mortality levels were 45 per 1000 live births in 1994 . A
joint effort between the National Health Foundation and
the "Comunidade Solidária" Program has focussed on 913
municipalities of highest infant mortality risk for health,
nutrition, housing, sanitation and other projects, aiming at
reducing the national rate to 23 per 1000 live births by the year
2000.
- 63% of deaths in the 15 to 19 age range were by traffic
accidents and homicides. (1991-1993). 57% of traffic
accidents in São Paulo involved 15 to 19 year-olds.
(1993)
- registered accidents at work in 1995 were about 500
thousand, but actual figures may be three times that many.
Fatal occurrences reached approximately 4000 in that year.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: High
STATUS REPORT: Health care remains one of the
major issues, especially for low income groups in urban settlements
as well as in the rural areas. The Unified Health System (SUS),
integrating all levels of government, faced a serious
financial crisis in 1996 and a new tax of 0.2% on financial
transactions was introduced in order to settle payments in
arrears to public and private hospitals and clinics.
1. Decision-Making Structure: Ministry of Health, Ministry
of Social Security and Welfare Unified Health System
involving Federal, State and Municipal levels (60% of total) and
community participation.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: 800 research
projects at Evandro Chagas Institute and Osvaldo Cruz
Foundation (FIOCRUZ).
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Latest 1994 | ||||
Life expectancy at birth Male Female |
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Infant mortality (per 1000 live births) | ||||
Maternal mortality rate (per 100000 live births) | ||||
Access to safe drinking water (% of population) Urban Rural |
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Access to sanitation services (% of population) Urban Rural |
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Other data
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AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 7: PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE HUMAN
SETTLEMENT DEVELOPMENT
About 10,000 urban settlements were located in 5,131
municipalities distributed amongst 26 States in 1991.
25.5% of the municipalities had less than 10,000 inhabitants, and
3.6% over 100,000. The nine metropolitan regions
accounted for nearly 30% of the total population in the country.
There were approximately 39.8 million households in 1995, 32.1
million of which were urban and 7.7 million rural.
Estimates as to the number of inadequate dwellings, either
improvised or overcrowded, varied from 6.0 to 8.0 million,
and do not include those lacking in one or more regular basic
services (water supply, sewerage and waste collection),
mentioned in Chapters 18 and 21, which may run at another 7.4 to
10.6 million. 14 % of the total urban population lived
in sub-standard dwellings ("favelas"), 75% of which resided in the
nine metropolitan regions, mostly in Rio de Janeiro
and São Paulo.
In addition to those that require improvement, 3.4 to 6.0
million new homes, would have to be built in urban areas, to
cope with this deficit, largely in the Southeastern region. In
addition, the annual demand increment for urban housing
presently stands at about 1.3 million. About 514 thousand units
were financed by credit institutions from 1990 to 1994,
and most of new construction is self-financed. The shortage of
adequate rural housing, not considering those with
insufficient basic services, has remained stationary at about 1.6
to 2.0 million, predominantly in the Northeast.
Several ongoing public-sponsored programs, ranging from
mortgage and credit to rental and low-cost public
programs, may provide 2 million new housing units from 1996 to
1999. However, average monthly family income, for
approximately 70% of the targeted population, is under 2 minimum
wages (about US$ 210). Provisions from the federal
budget, savings accounts and the compulsory Employees Guaranteed
Savings Fund (FGTS) are estimated at US$ 26
billion. Additional resources would normally include those from
state and municipal governments, multilateral financial
institutions, pension funds, and private investment.
Top priorities include: populations at risk and low-income
families, job-creation and capacity building, improved
efficiency in basic services, access to land and protection against
eviction, incentives for the occupation of the existing 3
million vacant housing units, and for enhanced technology aimed at
low-cost housing, and disincentives for idle property.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: High
STATUS REPORT: Revised legislation on a
National Urban Policy was submitted in 1995 to Congress, whereby
city
planning, housing, sanitation, transportation, land access and
other urban questions would be addressed in a coordinated
fashion by the three levels of government. It provides for the
establishment of a participatory National Urban Policy
Council and a systematic and decentralized approach to the basic
issues concerning human settlements, with emphasis on
decisions at the local level. Main targets concern the quality of
life in urban areas, especially in metropolitan regions, and
a better distribution of the population throughout the country.
1. Decision-Making Structure: A Bill providing for the
establishment of a National Council on Urban Policy (CNPU),
having as members representatives from federal, state and
municipal governments, as well as from civil society on a
parity basis, was submitted to Congress in 1995. CNPU shall have
four Permanent Chambers as subsidiary bodies, to
address respectively issues on Urban Management, Housing,
Sanitation and Urban Environment and Urban
Transportation. The Secretariat for Urban Policy of the Ministry of
Planning and Budget is responsible for housing and
sanitation issues at the federal level, with the assistance of
other Ministries, such as Health, Transport, and Environment,
Water Resources and the Amazon.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: General expansion and improvement in urban
areas would include 2 million housing units and water and
sanitation services to over 8 million, involving almost US$ 45
billion.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: IBRD, IDB and KFW
may provide about USD$700 million in loans until the
year 1999.
Urban population in % of total population | ||||
Annual rate of growth of urban population (%) | ||||
Largest city population (in % of total population) | ||||
Greater Sao Paulo (millions) |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 8: INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENT AND
DEVELOPMENT IN DECISION-MAKING
States have been more active than the federal government in
enacting new environmental legislation, such as
environmental audits. However, approximately 20% of federal
guidelines were updated and reviewed since UNCED.
With the exception of tradeable permits, there are examples of
practically all other forms of economic instruments
being adopted, such as subsidized credits and incentives, taxes on
solid wastes, pollution, natural resource use, eco-labelling and
container deposit-return schemes.
Although there are studies under way, there is not as yet
official action on integrating environmental and national
accounting. Cost studies undertaken by Applied Economics Research
Institute (IPEA) have covered the depletion or
degradation of mineral, water and forest resources, as well as the
impact on health of water and air pollution.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: Medium
STATUS REPORT: The Interministerial Council on
Sustainable Development, established in 1994, has not been formally
installed as yet. Nonetheless, several intersectoral coordinating
mechanisms, at all governmental levels, have provided a
certain measure of integration, especially with regard to natural
resources management.
1. Decision-Making Structure (please also refer to the fact
sheet): No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 9: PROTECTION OF THE
ATMOSPHERE
The Montreal Protocol was signed in 1990.
The London Amendment was signed in 1991.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was
ratified in 1994.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter
A relevant aspect of terrestrial resource management of interest to
protecting the atmosphere is to control deforestation,
and to implement the National System to Prevent and Combat Forest
Fires and Burning. The Ministries of Environment
and of Science and Technology and State environmental agencies have
continued to cooperate on this matter, in spite of
limited resources available.
Marine resources are dealt with in Chapter 17. A significant
research project , "Brazilian Ecosystems and Macro-Vectors for
Development" on land use at the national level was finalized in
1995. Other initiatives are described in
Chapters 10 and 14.
Energy conservation courses are taught at schools, and over 1
million students and 20 thousand teachers are to be
trained by 1997. A comprehensive program on electric power
conservation has been operational for several years, with
encouraging results. The target is to postpone the installation of
an additional 24 thousand MW by the year 2015, for a
savings of approximately US$34 billion in new investment.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: High
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: At the federal level, the
Ministries of the Environment, Water Resources and the
Amazon, Science and Technology, and Industry, Trade and Tourism,
are responsible for protection of the atmosphere, as
members of the Interministerial Council on Sustainable Development.
National legislation is comprehensive, relatively
advanced, and complemented by State and Municipal regulations.
Recent instruments, as well as an ongoing review and
update of the licensing system for polluting activities established
in 1981, include :
- Law no. 8723, of 1993, enacting the Control of Air Pollution by
Automotive Vehicle Program, determining emmission
limits for pollutants ( CO2, NOx, hydrocarbons, sulphur,
particulates),
- Resolution no. 13 of the National Environmental Council, of 1995,
establishing compulsory registration of all
producers, importers and exporters, dealers and users of ozone
depleting substances, and a schedule for phasing out these
substances.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: An Inter-American
Weather Forecasting and Climate Studies Center was
established in São Paulo in 1995, aiming at improving the
existing national early detection system and capacity to perform
observations and assessments. Monitoring concentrations of
greenhouse gases has so far had precedence over the
identification of threshold levels. Capacity for assessment,
observation, research, information and training in the area of
transboundary air pollution is rated good. Air quality monitoring
grids have been set up in 8 of the metropolitan areas,
comprising 30% of the countrys population, and in several other
cities, but their effectiveness has not been judged
adequate.
3. Major Groups: NGOs and the private sector have
participated in activities related to the prevention of
stratospheric
ozone depletion and transboundary air pollution.
4. Finance: Brazils contribution to the Vienna Convention
Trust Fund and the Montreal Protocol was about US$300,000
in 1995, whereas the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol has
financially assisted projects of over US$13 million.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Brazil is active in
the various Commissions of the MERCOSUL- South
American Common Market, and in regional agreements regarding
transportation and environment. The Jaguarão
agreement, signed in 1990 with Uruguay, for instance, provides for
exchanges and initiatives on monitoring, training and
information on the possibility of transboundary impacts caused by
coal-fired power generation in Southern Brazil.
Emissions and their main sources | Latest 1995 | |||
CO2 emissions (eq. million tons) - deforestation | ||||
SOx " - industry | ||||
NOx " - vehicles | ||||
CH4 " - organic matter | ||||
Consumption of ozone depleting substances (Tons) | ||||
Expenditure on air pollution abatement in US$ equivalents (million) | ||||
Other |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 10: INTEGRATED APPROACH TO
THE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF LAND
RESOURCES
Flexibility in applying ZEE directives and broad participation
of society in the zoning process are essential
elements for the success of ZEE, which would also require greater
efforts to enforce federal natural resource regulations
and to promote inter-agency coordination, as well as to
consolidate appropriate legislation and standards at the State
level,
incorporating as a rule Municipal Land Use Plans.
Priority in developing the ZEE Project was attributed to the
Amazon region where all 9 States have established
their ZEE Commissions, and an environmental diagnosis was carried
out and completed by the Brazilian Institute of
Geography and Statistics (IBGE) in 1995. Sub-regional work is under
way for Western Amazonia and the Madeira river
valley.
Elsewhere, 10 of the remaining 17 States and the Federal
District have set up their ZEE Commissions, and an
environmental diagnosis for the Northeast completed in 1996.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: Medium
STATUS REPORT: The most relevant initiative in
the field of planning and management of land resources is the
Ecological and Economic Zoning Project (ZEE), established in 1990
as an instrument for integrating basic geographical
information and related public policies, for classifying
territorial areas according to their vulnerability and potential,
and
for stimulating negotiation, conflict resolution and partnership
amongst the various public and private actors in the process
of development. ZEEs three main products are thematic charts, at
the 1: 250 000 scale, on natural vulnerability, on
social potential and on inputs for land management. Areas may be
classified into productive, critical (conservation or
rehabilitation) or special (preserved, restricted use or
strategic).
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Presidents Secretariat
for Strategic Planning (SAE) is responsible for carrying out
the Ecological and Economic Zoning of the National Territory,
(ZEE), and chairs a Coordinating Commission of 12
federal Ministries. The 26 States and Federal District intend to
establish their own ZEE Commissions.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: 105 specialists at
the State level, in the Amazon region, were trained by the
Project on methodologies for the evaluation of natural
vulnerability to soil erosion.
3. Major Groups: At this stage, major groups involved are
State and local authorities, as well as the academic and
scientific community.
4. Finance: Resources allocated to the ZEE Project so far
amount to about US$ 90 million, including 21.8 million from
the G-7 Pilot Program.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: The Pilot Program
for the Conservation of Tropical Forests in Brazil,
established by the G-7 countries, the European Union and the
Netherlands with managerial assistance from the World
Bank, as well as the Frontier Development Projects sponsored by the
Organization of American States, involving
Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Brazil and the Special Commission on
Environment of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty,
chaired by Brazil, are examples of such cooperation.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 11: COMBATING
DEFORESTATION
Native tropical forests around the world covered approximately
19 million km2 in the late eighties, 26% of which
were in Brazil. Out of this total, 396 thousand km2, or 8%, were
protected areas, not including Indian lands which
accounted for 11% of the total for the country. Planted forests,
mostly of eucalyptus and pinus, represented about 102
thousand km2.
In spite of government efforts, the deforestation of native
forests has continued since UNCED, frequently as a function
of the demand for wood products in association with land-clearing
for agricultural purposes. Consequently, recent
measures have included a moratorium on the exploitation and sale of
threatened species, such as mahogany, and have
limited the size of farming areas in rural properties in the Amazon
region. The most endangered forest is the Atlantic
rainforest which has dwindled to less than 5% of its initial
coverage under continuous pressure from human activity along
the coastline.
Other government initiatives include: a National Program of
Native Plant Seeds, a scheme to diversify forest products
in rubber extraction reserves, studies related to the rational
exploitation of 14 million hectares of forested public land, and
equipping three specialized laboratories for testing and research.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: High
STATUS REPORT: Forests are defined, in Brazil as
any biomass with multiple environmental linkages, natural or
planted, with variable economic, social and genetic uses for
present and future generations.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Environment,
Water Resources and the Amazon is responsible for the
forestry sector. It supervises the activities of the Brazilian
Institute of Environment and Renewable Resources (IBAMA),
chairs the National Council on the Environment (CONAMA) and takes
part in the Presidents Chamber for Natural
Resources Policies, which coordinates the various aspects related
to forests and other issues. Since 1988, Brazils 27
federative units (States and the Federal District) and over 5000
municipalities share the responsibility of enacting and
enforcing complementary legislation within their territories.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No
information.
3. Major Groups: NGOs and the private sector are
represented in CONAMA and may participate in Task Forces of the
Presidents Chamber. Major international and Brazilian NGOs are
engaged in forest protection activities, at various levels
and aspects, especially in the Atlantic and Amazon regions.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: The most relevant
example of international cooperation is the Pilot Program for
the Protection of Tropical Forests in Brazil, with the support of
the G-7 countries and the Netherlands, the European
Union, and IBRD, supplemented by bilateral arrangements with
Germany, United Kingdom, Japan and others. The
Amazon Cooperation Treaty brings together, since the sixties, the
8 countries of the Amazon region on a broad range of
subjects.
Latest 1995 | ||||
Forest Area (Km2) | ||||
Protected forest area* | ||||
Roundwood production (solid volume of roundwood without bark in mill m3)** | ||||
Deforestation rate (Km2/annum) | ||||
Reforestation rate (Km2/annum) | ||||
National Income from forestry sector (% GNP) | ||||
Income from exports | ||||
Imports of Forest Products | ||||
Other * = includes conservation units only, and not indian lands ** = includes wood for charcoal and firewood uses |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 12: MANAGING FRAGILE
ECOSYSTEMS: COMBATING DESERTIFICATION AND
DROUGHT
The International Convention to Combat Desertification in
Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification
Particularly in Africa was signed in 1994 and ratified in
1996
Additional comments relevant to this chapter Within an area
of about 900,485 km2 in Northeastern Brazil, about 10,000
km2 have been identified as desert or of no value, and 223,000 km2
as in danger of desertification, as of 1995. Another
486,043 km2 were in cultivation, and overgrazing, fuel wood
collection as well as improper farming and land use were
considered as predominant factors in the process of
desertification. The existing network of 622 meteorological and
hydrological monitoring stations was assessed as adequate, while
the 3 soil and land degradation-data collection stations
were judged insufficient.
Since UNCED, a working group was formed to propose a National
Plan to Combat Desertification to the Federal
Government, which should contemplate, among other basic aspects,
alternative employment opportunities for the poor and
environmental refugee programs. The Aridas Project, sponsored by
the Ministry of Planning and the Esquel/Brazil
Foundation, drafted a sustainable development strategy for the
region,
Meanwhile, the following issues have been addressed, along
with field work in the region : dissemination of early
warning information to decision makers and land users, drought
preparedness and relief schemes, intensive soil
conservation and afforestation/reforestation schemes and food
deficiency strategies.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: Medium
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Environment,
Water Resources and the Amazon is the main federal
institution responsible for the sustainable development of the
semi-arid region in Northeastern Brazil. Two agencies under
the Ministry, namely the Brazilian Institute of Environment and
Renewable Resources (IBAMA) and the National
Department for Public Works against the Droughts (DNOCS) as well
the Superintendency for the Development of the
Northeast and Governments of the 9 States included in the semi-arid
region are also involved in the process. Provisions to
combat desertification and drought are contemplated in the basic
environmental, water resources and agricultural
legislation.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: There are
noticeable shortages in terms of trained personnel for "early
warning", extension and research tasks, as well as limitations
regarding their management, planning and implementation
skills. Present staff at central and other levels numbers 63
persons, of which only one third is considered adequate.
3. Major Groups: Full participants at the grass-roots level
include NGOs, women and youth, whereas their contribution
at state and national levels are considered respectively as
"ad-hoc" and "advisory".
4. Finance: Financial resources required to proceed with
the National Plan to Combat Desertification and the Aridas
Project are estimated at US$30 million until the year 2000.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Some post-Rio
funding has been provided by multilateral organizations. FAO,
UNEP, the University of Chile and the Esquel/Brazil Foundation
have been active in developing Indicators for
Desertification in Brazil and in providing a final list.
Latest 1995 | ||||
Land affected by desertification (1000 Km2) | ||||
Land susceptible to desertification (100 km2) | ||||
Semi-arid Zone (NE Brazil) | ||||
Total population (million) | ||||
Population in industry (thousand) | ||||
Industry output (billion US$) | ||||
Total economic output (billion US$) |
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 13: MANAGING FRAGILE
ECOSYSTEMS: SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: No information.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 14: PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
In spite of increased productivity, inadequate zoning and
farming practices and the widespread use of fertilizers
and agro-chemicals, mechanization and deforestation has nonetheless
continued to be responsible for considerable
environmental impact on living, land and water resources. Soil
erosion has reached in many areas levels well above the
permissible 10 t/ha-year. Agro-ecological zoning studies for the
Southern and Southeastern regions, coordinated by the
Ministry of Agriculture, however, have been effective in
increasing the security and productivity of rice, beans, corn,
soybean, cotton and wheat crops. Financing and insurance charges
and interest rates have gone down, and the impact on
soil and living resources has diminished in view of stricter
selection of soils for agriculture.
Land tenure remains a critical issue, for various reasons. One
is the abnormal concentration of large farming
units in relatively few hands. Limits on the expansion of the
agricultural frontier, both urban and rural unemployment
caused by layoffs in industry and increased mechanization in
agriculture have exacerbated land reform expectations in the
last two years. Action by the so-called Landless Farmers Movement
has escalated in 1995/96 and prompted the federal
government to set up a Ministry for Agrarian Reform with the
responsibility for settling 160 thousand families settled in
1997/98.
There is a growing trend on the part of certain NGOs as well
as government and scientific representatives to
consider family farming and organic agriculture as essential
elements for a complete restructuring of agricultural and
cattle-raising activities in order to make them more sustainable.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: High
STATUS REPORT: Agriculture in Brazil is
undergoing a transition from a closed and protected sector to an
open market
and competitive activity. A thorough review and update of
agricultural policies was proposed in 1996 by the Ministry of
Agriculture and Food Supplies, and is presently under way through
the establishment of a National Forum on Agriculture.
Government departments at federal and state levels, farmers and
rural workers organizations, trading companies,
exchange markets and financial institutions, research centers and
rural extension agencies are participants in this effort,
which comprises about 20 task forces.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Agriculture
and Food Supplies is the main federal body responsible for
those matters. Its subsidiary agency, the Brazilian Agricultural
Research Corporation heads the main research, rural
extension and information networks, involving state, academic and
other scientific and professional organizations.
Instrumental in rural credit policies and operations are the
Central Bank and the Bank of Brazil.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Most relevant
foreign assistance projects have been promoted by the World
Bank, and on a bilateral basis by Germany and Japan. The
Inter-American Development Bank and the Inter-American
Agrarian Sciences Institute are also active as regional
organizations.
Latest 199_ | ||||
Agricultural land (Km2) | ||||
Agricultural land as % of total land area | ||||
Agricultural land (hectares) per capita | ||||
Latest 1994 | ||||
Consumption of fertilizers per (nutrients in 1000 t) | ||||
Population employed in agriculture (millions) | ||||
- as % of total population
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 15: CONSERVATION OF
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
The Convention on Biological Diversity was signed in June 1992
and ratified February 1994.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora was ratified before July
1992.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter
Biodiversity protection is a very high priority amongst Agenda
21 items in Brazil. Most relevant threats to
biodiversity remain habitat destruction, over-harvesting and
monoculture, and pollution, while the undue introduction of
exotic plants and animals is not relevant.
There are approximately 500 public protected areas, not
including Indian lands, totalling about 4.5% of the
countrys territory. Seventy percent of those are managed by States
and Municipalities.
Genetic plant resources for agriculture are preserved in 70
public gene banks. There are 75 zoos, 25 botanical
gardens and 40 sites for the collection of microorganisms.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: Very High
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Environment,
Water Resources and the Amazon is primarily responsible
for Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, at the federal level, and
is fully involved in national planning and decision-making
with regard to natural resource use and development. Relevant
legislation enacted since 1992 includes :
- Interministerial Commission on Sustainable Development,
Coordination for Biological Diversity (June 1994);
National Biodiversity Program (Dec.1994); Biosafety Law (Jan.
1995); National Council for the Amazon Region
(Aug.1993); National Integrated Policy for the Amazon Region (Dec.
1994); National Policy on Ecotourism (Sept.1994);
Presidents Chamber for Natural Resources Policy (Mar.1996).
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: There were about
50,000 scientists engaged in biodiversity research, as of the
early 90s, as well as 306 courses at Master degree level, and 158
at Doctoral level, which have enhanced capacity
building in assessment, systematic observation, evaluation and
biodiversity protection enforcement.
3. Major Groups: Local participation in the conservation of
biological and genetic resources is limited, but increasing,
whereas NGOs, businessmen and scientists are active in supervisory
bodies. Over 100 private protected areas have been
established.
4. Finance: Main resources have been channeled through
federal and state budgets of environmental agencies.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Multilateral
initiatives include agreements with IBRD, IDB, UNDP and GEF,
whereas bilateral arrangements have involved Germany, USA, Japan
and the UK. Noteworthy are the IBRD-financed
National Environmental Program, the Pilot Program to Protect
Tropical Forests, supported by the G-7, Netherlands and
IBRD, and the GEF/IBRD-backed Conservation and Sustainable Use of
Biodiversity Project.
Latest 199_ | ||||
Protected area as % of total land area | ||||
Latest 199_ | ||||
Number of threatened
species1 Fauna Flora |
|
| ||
Other data 1 = Surveys of threatened species have been carried out by a few states at their level. There has been no nation-wide assessment since 1991. |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 16: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL PRIORITY: Medium
STATUS REPORT: The status report for Chapter 15
is applicable in most aspects to Biotechnology. The Ministry of
Environment, Water Resources and the Amazon cooperates closely with
the Ministry of Science and Technology in the
proposal and implementation of policies and programs.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The National Technical
Council on Biosafety, a subsidiary body of the National Council
on Science and Technology, under the Ministry of Science and
Technology, was established in April 1996 and is
responsible for regulating all activities and projects related to
the engineering, cultivation, management, use,
transportation, storage, trade, consumption, licensing and disposal
of genetically modified organisms.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Main programs include
the National Support Program for the Development of
Science and Technology (PADCT), and the Research and Development
Program on Agricultural Biotechnology, involving
several hundred researchers and projects. The Brazilian
Bioinformatics Resource Center and the Brazilian Molecular
Biology and Technology Network, with a Biosafety database and
discussion list, are regular information exchange
mechanisms.
3. Major Groups: Business corporations, Scientists and NGOs
participate in issues related to biotechnology.
4. Finance: Federal budget allocations by the Ministries of
Science and Technology, Education, Health, Agriculture and
the Environment, to universities, to the Brazilian Agricultural
Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) and the Osvaldo Cruz
Foundation (FIOCRUZ), and to other institutions, for training and
research on biotechnology, have exceeded US $40
million annually.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Bilateral
initiatives on biotechnology in agriculture include agreements with
Argentina, France (African Oil Palm), Germany, Belgium (Bean
Methane), as well as the UK (Fermentation Yeast) and
several U.S. Universities (Cornell, Texas A&M, and other).
Multilateral support has been channeled through IBRD and
the IBD, as mentioned above.
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 17: PROTECTION OF THE
OCEANS, ALL KINDS OF SEAS, INCLUDING ENCLOSED
AND SEMI-ENCLOSED SEAS, AND COASTAL AREAS AND THE PROTECTION,
RATIONAL USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR LIVING RESOURCES
Land-based sources of pollution, partly due to the deficient
sanitation systems or the location of at least 8
important industrial districts along the coast are a cause of
concern and require constant monitoring.
The critical condition of fisheries along the coastline has
given way to the establishment of an Interministerial
Working Group at the level of the Presidential Office. The process
of drafting a federal bill on Fisheries has taken into
consideration the essential items of the FAO Code of Conduct of
Responsible Fishing. A number of projects aimed at
protecting endangered species such as sea tortoises, manatees,
whales and dolphins and aquatic birdlife have been
implemented and expanded, with a more recent addition of a regional
project on the preservation of marine biodiversity
and coastal wetlands, co-sponsored by GEF and UNESCO. The survey of
living resources in the Exclusive Economic
Resources advances slowly due to some extent to the lack of
adequate vessels and financial assistance.
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea was ratified in 1987.
- Other conventions and agreements : include the implementation of
the London and Basel Conventions, the
Framework Convention on Climate Change, MARPOL and IMO resolutions.
See also the attached tables on the next pages.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: High
STATUS REPORT: An ongoing Coastal Management
Program, coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, involving
other federal agencies, coastal states and municipalities, and
addressing practically every aspect of land zoning and use,
pollution control, natural resource assessment and inventory,
capacity building, identification of critical spots and
contingency plans, in a decentralized fashion, has allowed for the
development of an integrated coastal strategy.
1. Decision-Making Structure: Protection of the oceans is
a federal responsibility, primarily attributed to the Ministries
of Environment, Water Resources and the Amazon, Navy. Science and
Technology, and Mines and Energy . These and
other Ministries are part of the Interministerial Commission for
Marine Resources, chaired by the Minister of the Navy,
which supervises the research programs related to the Continental
Platform (LEPLAC), Exclusive Economic Zone
(REVIZEE), Coastal Management (GERCO) and the Antarctic
(PRO-ANTAR). The scientific and technological
activities are supervised by the Ministry of Science and Technology
through the Marine Sciences Program.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Data bases are
available on oceanography, deep sea oil drilling, and ocean
sciences and technologies. The Coastal Management Program has
trained over 500 technicians at state level. The UN-supported
Train-Sea-Coast Center was installed at the University of Rio
Grande. Incentives for research on marine
culture and fish conservation will be provided as bursaries from
the National Research Council.
3. Major Groups: The private sector and the scientific
community are fully integrated in decision-making at the national
and local levels. Small-scale artisanal fishermen and indigenous
people act through their organizations on an advisory
basis, while state and local authorities participate in the coastal
management programs.
4. Finance: Budget allocations to Ocean programs by the
aforementioned Ministries exceed US$ 50 million per year.
Multilateral support, not including pollution control and
sanitation projects along the coast, has come mostly from IBRD
for the Coastal Management sub-component of the National
Environmental Program (US$ 2.85 million in 1992/94) and
the GEF/UNESCO Regional Project to preserve Biodiversity and
Mangroves in Tropical America (US$ 1.3 million in
1995/96).
5. Regional/International Cooperation: The United Nations
system cooperates with Brazil on ocean matters through
UNESCOs International Oceanographic Commission and its many
research programs and projects, the Train Sea Coast
program on capacity-building, and the Food and Agricultural
Organization on fisheries. There is bilateral cooperation
with the United States, Germany, France and Argentina and other
countries on studies and projects related to the South
Atlantic and the Exclusive Economic Zone.
Latest 199- | ||||
Catches of marine species (metric tons) |
| |||
Population in coastal areas |
| |||
Households (in %) | ||||
Population connected to municipal waste water pipeline | ||||
Population with potable water piping | ||||
Population with inside waste water piping | ||||
Population with garbage collection service | ||||
Population with dump garbage nearby |
Chapter 17 (Oceans) Continued:
Check the boxes in the column below left: | Check the boxes in the column below right: |
For level of importance use: | For level of implementation use: |
*** = very important | *** = fully covered |
** = important | ** = well covered- gaps being addressed |
* = not important | * = poorly covered |
N = not relevant | O = not covered; N = not relevant |
TABLE I. THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE APPROPRIATE COORDINATING MECHANISM FOR INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL AND MARINE AREAS AND THEIR RESOURCES.
a. Preparation and implementation of land and water use and siting policies. | ||
b. Implementation of integrated coastal and marine management and sustainable development plans and programmes at appropriate levels. | ||
c. Preparation of coastal profiles identifying critical areas including eroded zones, physical processes, development patterns, user conflicts and specific priorities for management. | ||
d. Prior environmental impact assessment, systematic observation and follow-up of major projects, including systematic incorporation of results in decision-making. | ||
e. Contingency plans for human induced and natural disasters. | ||
f. Improvement of coastal human settlements, especially in housing, drinking water and treatment and disposal of sewage, solid wastes and industrial effluents. | ||
g. Periodic assessment of the impacts of external factors and phenomena to ensure that the objectives of integrated management and sustainable development of coastal areas and marine environment are met. | ||
h. Conservation and restoration of altered critical habitats. | ||
I. Integration of sectoral programmes on sustainable development for settlements, agriculture, tourism, fishing, ports and industries affecting the coastal areas. | ||
J. Infrastructure adaptation and alternative employment. | ||
K. Human resource development and training. | ||
L. Public education, awareness and information programmes. | ||
M. Promoting environmentally sound technology and sustainable practices. | ||
N. Development and simultaneous implementation of environmental quality criteria. |
TABLE II. TECHNOLOGY (MARINE ENVIRONMENT)
A. Apply preventive, precautionary and anticipatory approaches so as to avoid degradation of the marine environment, as well as to reduce the risk of long-term or irreversible adverse effects upon it. | ||
B. Ensure prior assessment of activities that may have significant adverse impacts upon the marine environment. | ||
C. Integrate protection of the marine environment into relevant general environmental, social and economic development policies. | ||
D. Develop economic incentives, where appropriate, to apply clean technologies and other means consistent with the internalization of environmental costs, such as the polluter pays principle, so as to avoid degradation of the marine environment. | ||
E. Improve the living standards of coastal populations, particularly in developing countries, so as to contribute to reducing the degradation of the coastal and marine environment. | ||
F. Effective monitoring and surveillance within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of fish harvesting and transportation of toxic and other hazardous materials. |
TABLE III. SEWAGE RELATED ISSUES
A. Sewage related problems are considered when formulating or reviewing coastal development plans, including human development plans. | ||
B. Sewage treatment facilities are built in accordance with national policies. | ||
C. Coastal outfalls are located so as to maintain acceptable level of environmental quality and to avoid exposing shell fisheries, water intakes and bathing areas to pathogens. | ||
D. The Government promotes primary treatment of municipal sewage discharged to rivers, estuaries and the sea, or other solutions appropriate to specific sites. | ||
E. The Government supports the establishment and improvement of local, national, subregional and regional, as necessary, regulatory and monitoring programmes to control effluent discharge. Minimum sewage effluent guidelines and water quality criteria are in use. |
TABLE IV. OTHER SOURCES OF MARINE POLLUTION, THE GOVERNMENT HAS:
A. Established or improved upon, as necessary, regulatory and monitoring programmes to control emissions, including recycling technologies. | ||
B. Promoted risk and environmental impact assessments to help ensure an acceptable level of environmental quality. | ||
C. Promoted assessment and cooperation at the regional level, where appropriate, with respect to the input of point source pollutants from the marine environment. | ||
D. Taken steps to eliminate emissions or discharges of organohalogen compounds from the marine environment. | ||
E. Taken steps to eliminate/reduce emissions or discharges or other synthetic organic compounds from the marine environment. | ||
F. Promoted controls over anthropogenic inputs of nitrogen and phosphorous that enter coastal waters where such problems as eutrophication threaten the marine environment or its resources. | ||
G. Taken steps to develop and implement environmentally sound land-use techniques and practices to reduce run-off to water courses and estuaries which would cause pollution or degradation of the marine environment. | ||
H. Promoted the use of environmentally less harmful pesticides and fertilizers and alternative methods for pest control, and considered the prohibition of those found to be environmentally unsound. | ||
I. Adopted new initiatives at national, subregional and regional levels for controlling the input of non-point source pollutants which require broad changes in sewage and waste management, agricultural practices, mining, construction and transportation. | ||
J. Taken steps to control and prevent coastal erosion and siltation due to anthropogenic factors related to, inter alia, land-use and construction techniques and practices. |
TABLE V. ADDRESSING CRITICAL UNCERTAINTIES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE. IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAMME AREA THE GOVERNMENT IS CARRYING OUT THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES:
A. Coordinating national and regional observation programmes for coastal and near-shore phenomena related to climate change and for research parameters essential for marine and coastal management in all regions. | ||
B. Providing improved forecasts of marine conditions for the safety of inhabitants of coastal areas and for the efficiency of marine operations. | ||
C. Adopting special measures to cope with and adapt to potential climate change and sea-level rise. | ||
D. Participating in coastal vulnerability assessment, modelling and response strategies particularly for priority areas, such as small islands and low-lying and critical coastal areas. | ||
E. Identifying ongoing and planned programmes of systematic observation of the marine environment, with a view to integrating activities and establishing priorities to address critical uncertainties for oceans and all seas. | ||
F. Research to determine the marine biological effects of increased levels of ultraviolet rays due to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. | ||
G. Carrying out analysis, assessments and systematic observation of the role of oceans as a carbon sink. |
TABLE VI. RATING OF ACTIVITIES IN THE AIR AND MARITIME TRANSPORT SECTORS IN THE SMALL ISLANDS DEVELOPING STATES (SIDS)
1. Frequency (external flights) | 1. Frequency (external shipping) | ||
2. Frequency (in-country flights) | 2. Frequency (in-country shipping) | ||
3. Cooperation at regional level in air transport and civil aviation | 3. Cooperation at regional level in shipping | ||
4. Cooperation at international level | 4. Cooperation at international level | ||
5. Economic viability of national air line | 5. Economic viability of national shipping line(s) | ||
6. Economic viability of regional air line | 6. Economic viability of regional shipping line (s) | ||
7. national level training in skills for air transport sector | 7. National level training in skills for maritime transport sector | ||
8. Access to training in skills for air transport sector within the region | 8. Regional level training in skills for maritime transport sector | ||
9. Access to international training for air transport sector | 9. Access to international training for maritime transport sector | ||
10. Supportive of ICAO |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 18: PROTECTION OF THE
QUALITY AND SUPPLY OF FRESHWATER RESOURCES:
APPLICATION OF INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO THE DEVELOPMENT,
MANAGEMENT AND USE OF WATER RESOURCES
The required annual investment to link up all urban dwellings
by the year 2020 is estimated at US$ 2 to 2.5
billion, having in mind that there are about 3.5 million dwellings
with family incomes below US$200. Meanwhile, a
series of programs attempt to cover the needs of both large and
small urban centers, with greater priority attributed to
those where infant mortality is highest.
The availability of fresh water, estimated at over 5 thousand
billion m3 per year is largely concentrated in the
Amazon basin with 70% of that total. Signs of scarcity already
occur in the Northeast and Southeast, where demand is
highest in proportion to supply. Irrigation and other rural uses
were estimated at 60% of demand in 1991, with industrial
and residential consumption sharing the remaining 40%.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: Medium
STATUS REPORT: Water supply and sewerage
services are generally rendered by government controlled state
companies. Seventy-five percent of urban homes were connected to
municipal systems in 1980 and 87% in 1991. In rural
areas, 4% were served by water supply systems and 63% had wells or
springs in 1980, while in 1991 the figures were 9%
and 58%. Losses and unaccountable uses were responsible for over
40% of the water provided by the state companies.
Therefore, most of the present efforts are directed towards the
upgrading and streamlining of their operations, as well as
the possibility of their being privatized.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministries of Mines and
Energy, and of the Environment, at the federal level are
responsible for the concessional use and quality of fresh water,
and more specifically, for interstate and international water
courses. Most of the surface water and underground reserves are
state assets, and in accordance with constitutional
provisions, both levels of government are able to legislate and
decide on this matter. A National Watershed Management
System was recently established, allowing for participation of
society in regulating bodies at basin level.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Latest 1995 | ||||
Fresh water availability (total domestic/external in million m3) | ||||
Annual withdrawal of freshwater as % of available water | ||||
Availability per capita (thousand m3/yr)
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 19: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF TOXIC CHEMICALS, INCLUDING
PREVENTION OF ILLEGAL INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC IN TOXIC AND DANGEROUS
PRODUCTS
NATIONAL PRIORITY: High
STATUS REPORT: The subject is covered to a
reasonable extent in chapter 20.
1. Decision-Making Structure: Regulatory capacity at the
federal level lies with the Ministry of Environment, either
directly or through the National Council on Environment (CONAMA) or
the Brazilian Institute on Environment and
Renewable resources (IBAMA), as well as with the Ministries of
Health, Agriculture, Labor, and Transport with regard
to licensing and control of the manufacture, labelling, storage,
transport, handling and use of toxic and other chemicals,
particularly, those harmful to human health, such as pesticides,
wood preservatives, asbestos, mercury and cyanide. The
Ministry of Justice in addition controls chemical inputs for the
production of cocaine and other drugs.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Harmonized
legislation on chemical substances for the South American
Common Market (MERCOSUL) will come into force on January 1, 1998.
Brazil participates actively in the Inter-governmental Forum on
Chemical Safety (IFCS) and in the discussions related to issues
such as Prior Informed Consent
(PIC), the control of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), risk
reduction of toxic substances, risk evaluation systems and
harmonized labelling.
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AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 20: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF HAZARDOUS WASTES,
INCLUDING PREVENTION OF ILLEGAL INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC IN HAZARDOUS
WASTES
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements
of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal : No
information.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter The management
of hazardous wastes has not as yet been regulated by a
national policy that would encompass its many aspects as well as
ensure coordinated action on the part of the three levels
of Government. Nonetheless, the Ministry of Environment, Water
Resources and the Amazon, through the National
Council of Environment (CONAMA) has enacted, since 1988, a number
of decisions on classification, licensing,
handling, processing, storage, exports and imports of hazardous
wastes, in accordance with Brazilian Standards and
mechanisms contemplated in the Basel Convention. Otherwise, issues
on hazardous wastes such as transportation and
recycling have been addressed by Presidential Decrees,
interministerial bodies and directives from other Ministries and
States.
Recent action on the subject has included a Task Force
organized by CONAMA to propose a draft National
Policy on Wastes, efforts by the environmental agencies of the
States of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, among others, to
prepare their Master Plans and Waste Management Plans, in
accordance with CONAMA Resolution no. 05/93, and the
two projects on international cooperation described below (see
Regional/ International Cooperation) on waste management
and technology data banks and on information networks and system.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: Medium
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: All three levels of
Government share the responsibility for enforcing general and
specific
legislation and regulations concerning the management and disposal
of hazardous wastes. There is no specific policy
concerning the issue, and whatever licensing and control exists in
practice emanates from federal and state environmental
bodies and agencies.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: Participation of Major Groups is envisaged
in the proposed draft National Policy on Wastes.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Two relevant
international/regional cooperation projects have been initiated
since 1992: - one on Waste Management and Technologies,
co-sponsored by the United Nations Development Program
(UNDP), the federal Ministries of Planning and the Environment as
well as the Secretariats for Environment and Science
and Technology, and their respective agencies; - the other on the
establishment of an Environmentally Sound Waste
Management Information Network, co-sponsored by the German
Technical Cooperation Agency GTZ, and the Pan
American Health Organization (PAHO), representing the World Health
Organization (WHO). The Brazilian Network
(REBRAMAR) will be part of a larger Pan American Network project
(REPAMAR), to which six Latin American
countries have committed themselves to date.
Latest 199- | ||||
Generation of hazardous waste (1000 t)* | ||||
Import of hazardous wastes (1000 t) |
| |||
Export of hazardous wastes (1000 t) | ||||
Area of land contaminated by hazardous waste (km2) | ||||
Expenditure on hazardous waste treatment (US$) | ||||
Other data * Industrial waste class II for Greater Sao Paulo. |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 21: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF SOLID WASTES AND SEWAGE-RELATED ISSUES
Regular waste collection services in 1991 attended to 80.0% of
urban and 5.6% of rural population, for a total of 241
thousand tons a day. These figures rose to 86.7% and 10.4%
respectively in 1995. 76.7% of the total waste collected in
1991 was dumped in open pits, whereas 21.9% was disposed of in
controlled or sanitary fills and 2.1% processed in
composting plants, recycled or incinerated. Disposal in water
courses is not relevant and restricted to the Northern region,
and the highest incidence of uncontrolled dumping occurs in the
Northeast. Industrial and hazardous wastes collected by
the municipal systems is symbolic, and their disposal depends
largely on the producers initiative.
In 1991, 49% of urban and 2% of rural households were served
by sewerage systems and respectively another
19% and 8% had septic tanks. No more than 10% of the total sewage
collected, however, went through treatment plants,
mostly at primary level, and predominantly in the Southeast. If
septic tanks are added to these totals, the average national
percentage rises to 29%, with higher marks for the South and the
North.
Special efforts have been directed in the recent past to waste
collection and sewerage services for the urban poor
in densely population areas. Some experiments have been carried
out of exchanging individually collected garbage, in low
income districts were services cannot be offered, for bus tickets
or food supplies. Programs to organize groups of trash
pickers into cooperatives and as micro entrepreneurs have also been
moderately successful in a number of large cities.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: Medium
STATUS REPORT: The Secretariat for Urban Policy
of the Ministry of Planning and Budget is responsible for federal
directives on waste collection, treatment and disposal issues, with
the assistance of other Ministries, such as Health,
Transport, and Environment, Water Resources and the Amazon.
Coordinated efforts among the three levels of
government on solid waste disposal began in 1966 with 10 solid
waste management pilot projects and incentives for 5
waste-minimization projects, to be implemented by 1999, under the
experimental PROGEST program. Priority is
attributed to municipalities that require and are willing to
implement integrated solid waste management systems, where
inadequate disposal either induces high-risk public health
problems, pollutes freshwater sources, or depends on
uncontrolled fills, and those where the production of hazardous
wastes is significant.
1. Decision-Making Structure: At this stage, decisions on
solid wastes lie mostly at the municipal level, pending the
enactment of a national policy to be proposed by the Secretariat of
Urban Policy.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Innovative
experiments on community sewage disposal units and lower cost
treatment plants such as aerated ponds are being implemented with
some success.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Latest 199- | ||||
Generation of industrial and municipal waste (t) | ||||
Waste disposed(Kg/capita) | ||||
Expenditure on waste collection and treatment (US$) | ||||
Waste recycling rates (%) | ||||
Municipal waste disposal (Kg/capita) | ||||
Waste reduction rates per unit of GDP (t/year) | ||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 22: SAFE AND
ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES
Relevant legislation and regulations issued since 1992 include
the National Council of Environment (CONAMA)
Resolution 24/1994, on international trade of radioactive wastes,
Decree 96.044 concerning transportation of dangerous
products, and preliminary criteria for the disposal of medium and
low-level radioactive wastes.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: Medium
STATUS REPORT: Radioactive wastes and
by-products generated in the past 40 years in Brazil are stored in
nuclear
installations and other sites either owned or controlled by the
National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN) located in 4
different States. They have originated from the operation of the
Nuclear Power Plant in Angra dos Reis, the radiological
accident in Goiania in the early 90s, from the processing of
maonazitic sands and from the use of radioisotopes in
medicine, industry and research, and represent a volume of
approximately 5,440 m3.
1. Decision-Making Structure: All activities related to the
management of radioactive wastes are licensed and controlled
by a specialized department of the National Nuclear Energy
Commission (CNEN), an agency supervised by the
Presidents Secretariat for Strategic Affairs. International trade
in radioactive wastes must be authorized by CNEN after
prior consultation with the Brazilian Institute of Environment and
Renewable Resources (IBAMA).
The latter will notify the competent authorities in the country of
destination of all exports of radioactive material
originating in Brazil.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: A program was
approved in November 1996 by the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA), involving CNEN and all its research
institutes for capacity building in the areas of waste
treatment, public acceptance and repository safety evaluation.
Training programs in the areas of transportation of
radioactive materials (with ARCAL) and implementation of a National
Radiological Event Monitoring System (SINAER)
for Latin America have taken place. During the year 1996, 160
sanitary inspectors, as well as airline, airport and internal
revenue personnel posted at port, airport and border facilities
were trained in control procedures regarding radioactive
materials.
3. Major Groups: Most contacts are carried out with the
scientific community, especially within the framework of the
National Radiological Event Monitoring System.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Regional cooperation
with ARCAL and internationally with IAEA.
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Ch. 24: GLOBAL ACTION FOR WOMEN TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE AND
EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was signed on 31 March 1981 and ratified on 1 February 1984, with reservations. These were cancelled by Congress on 22 June 1994.
24.a Increasing the proportion of women decision makers. In 1992 and 1996, there were 2 (4%) and 1 (2%) women represented in government; and 32 (5%) and 40 (7%) women represented in parliament respectively. 178 (2%) women were represented at the local level in 1992.
24.b assessing, reviewing, revising and implementing curricula and other educational material with a view to promoting dissemination of gender-relevant knowledge. Curricula and educational material : An agreement was signed in 1996 between the Ministry of Justice, the National Council on Womens Rights (CNDM) and the Ministry of Education to review curricula, school textbooks and teachers training.
24.c and 24.d formulating and implementing policies, guidelines, strategies and plans for achievement of equality in all aspects of society including issuing a strategy by year 2000 to eliminate obstacles to full participation of women in sustainable development. Policies/strategies etc : Policies/strategies : A Task Force on gender is contemplated as part of the Technical Committee for the Brazilian Agenda 21.
24.e establishing mechanisms by 1995 to assess implementation and impact of development and environment policies and programmes on women : Mechanisms : A National Plan of Action to Implement the decisions of the Beijing Conference will be launched in 1997. The existing institutional structure includes a National Council of Womens Rights, 11 State Councils and 38 Municipal Councils, as well as 115 NGOs, and over 3000 independent associations.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): . 156 bills related to womens rights were introduced in Congress, dealing principally with working conditions, violence, health and civil rights. Political parties must include at least 20% of women candidates at proportional elections. . Women represented, in 1995, 50.9% of the total population of 152.4 million. Of the total economically active population of 74.1 million, in 1996, 40.4% were women, 92.7% of which were actually employed. This figure rose 6.9% from 1993 to 1995, twice as high as the equivalent rate for men. The average wage for women, however, did not exceed 54,5% of that for men, in 1996. . Women accounted for about 20% of all heads of households. Population living below the poverty line was estimated at about 42 million in 1994, and may have been reduced to approximately 30 million at the end of 1996, due to the implementation of the "Plano Real" and to 10% annual inflation rate at the end of 1996. 23% of those families were headed by women. . 22.8% of all women over the age of 5 were illiterate in 1994, but the percentage of those who had completed 11 years of schooling rose from 14,7% in 1992 to 16,4% in 1996. Maternal perinatal mortality rates varied from 3.0 per 1000 live births in the North to 1.1 per 1000 in the South. Fertility rates went down from 2.60 in 1993 to 2.52 in 1996, while the estimated annual population rate of growth was 1.4% in 1995, down from 1.6% in 1991. Life expectancy at birth for women in 1993 was 69.
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Ch. 25: CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT. 25.a establishing processes that promote dialogue between the youth and government at all levels and mechanisms that permit youth access to information and opportunity to present their views on implementing A21 : Relevant youth fora (of this kind) have not been established.
Describe their role in the national process: Not applicable. 25.b reducing youth unemployment : Youth unemployment, ages 15-24 equalled 2,470,498 (27%) and 1,626,388 (17%) in 1992 and 1995 respectively. This data does not include those not previously employed.
25.c ensuring that by year 2000 more than 50% of youth -- gender balanced -- have access to appropriate secondary education or vocational training : There is no target date for the goal set in Agenda 21.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): Infant mortality rates decreased down from 43% in 1992 to 40% in 1994, most significantly from 87% to 63% in the Northeast. 3% of children under 5 years of age were undernourished in 1995. Illiteracy in children between 10 and 14 went down from 14.4 in 1990 to 10% in 1995. Possible participants at relevant fora are the National Students Union (UNE), and the Brazilian Secondary School Students` Union (UBES), which include respectively all university and high school student organizations at state and local levels. In 1995, 28% of the population aged 20 and over had secondary education. The target for 1999 of the National Professional Education Plan is to train 20% of the Economically Active Population estimated at 15 million, including youth and adolescents.
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Ch. 26: RECOGNIZING AND STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND THEIR
COMMUNITIES.
26.a A process to empower indigenous people and their communities - through policies and legal instruments - is in place.
26.b Indigenous groups participate on an ad hoc basis in national policies.
26.c Indigenous people are partially involved in resource management strategies and programmes at the national and local level, depending on their location and relative degree of awareness. Examples of Indian representation are the Council of the Program for the Protection of Indian Lands in the Amazon and the Committee on Demonstration Projects A, both part of the Pilot Program for the Protection of Tropical Forests. There are 109 registered Indian associations, with broad geographic, ethnic and gender representation.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): The Indian population in Brazil was estimated, in 1995, at 325,652 individuals, 54% of whom reside in the Amazon Region. They are settled in 554 Indian reserves and areas, located in federal land, which amounted to 946.452 km2, or 11.1% of the countrys territorial area. Of the 279 reserves yet to be demarcated, 136 are undergoing or have completed their regular process of identification. Indians have the exclusive rights to hold and exploit the natural resources in those reserves. There are in all 215 different ethnic groups, who speak 170 different languages, in every possible cultural situation and stage of development, and 70 thousand indian children attend 785 bilingual schools.
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Ch. 27: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS: PARTNERS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. 27.a developing mechanisms that allow NGOs to play their partnership role responsibly and effectively : No information. 27.b reviewing formal procedures and mechanisms to involve NGOs in decision making and implementation : No information. 27.c As of 1997, NGOs will be allowed to participate in the conception, establishment and evaluation of official mechanisms to review Agenda 21 implementation. NGO inputs are considered important by the government.
27.d establishing a mutually productive dialogue by 1995 at the national level between NGOs and governments : No information.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): The Federal Constitution establishes the citizens right to form an association, without formal authorization and free of governmental interference, as well as the right to information, of personal, collective or general interest, provided by government bodies and agencies in accordance with legislation regarding time frames and responsibilities. Specific legislation with respect to rights, incentives and duties of NGOs may be required to promote their participation in the decision-making process. NGOs participate in various human rights and environmental councils, the discussions involving the structures and procedures of National Council on Sustainable Development, and the organization of Rio+5.
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Ch. 28: LOCAL AUTHORITIES' INITIATIVES IN SUPPORT OF
AGENDA 21.
28.a encouraging local authorities to implement and monitor programmes that aim to ensure participation of women and youth in local decision making : There are at least 10 local Agenda 21s being drafted , all of which involve representation of women and youth. They involve 18% of population. The Government, through the Federal Ministry of Environment, and some State Governments, supports Local Agenda 21 initiatives.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): A considerable number of municipalities across Brazil have joined the National Municipal Association for the Environment (ANAMA), and have a seat in the National Council of the Environment since 1996. The Ministry of Environment has entered into an agreement with ANAMA to help implement local Agenda 21s in a few dozen municipalities, and is currently developing a data base of good examples of sustainable local management with the Free University of the Environment in Curitiba. The Solidary Community Program has also retained the Brazilian Municipal Institute (IBAMA) to undertake a study on innovative solutions to the problem of providing urban services to the poor.
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Ch. 29: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF WORKERS AND
THEIR TRADE UNIONS. 29.a full participation of workers in implementation and evaluation of A21: Workers : (as organized labor) do not yet participate in National Agenda 21 discussions/implementation.
29.b By year 2000, (a) promoting ratification of ILO conventions; (b) establishing bipartite and tripartite mechanism on safety, health and sustainable development; (c) increasing number of environmental collective agreements; (d) reducing occupational accidents and injuries; (e) increasing workers' education and training efforts : ILO Conventions - 155 and others, (on health and safety), have been ratified.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): Bipartite and tripartite mechanisms for health and safety are in place, but collective agreements on environment are not significant. The problematic occupational health situation, with 424 thousand accidents amongst urban workers, of which approximately 4 thousand were fatal, prompted the Government to launch a National Campaign to Combat Accidents at Work, to be subsequently upgraded to a National Program. Pending Congress approval there are ILO Conventions on child labor (138) and Indian population (169).
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30: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF BUSINESS
AND INDUSTRY. | 30.a increasing the efficiency of resource use, including reuse, recycling, and reduction of waste per unit of economic output : Government policies encourage the above objective. Government policies do not require recycling.
30.b encouraging the concept of stewardship in management and use of natural resources by entrepreneurs :
List any actions taken in this area:
30.c increasing number of enterprises that subscribe to and implement sustainable development policies : Several large corporations have adopted sustainable development policies. A few small and medium sized enterprises have adopted such policies.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): 48 companies and professional associations have subscribed to the International Chamber of Commerces Business Charter for Sustainable Development and 3 large corporations are members of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. A business sponsored Brazilian Foundation for Sustainable Development is a leading player in the Rio+5 event scheduled for March 1997.
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Ch. 31: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL
COMMUNITY. 31.a improving exchange of knowledge and concerns between s&t community and the general public. Scientific community has already established ways in which to address the general public and deal with sustainable development : In two ways, 1. individually, through the professional contribution of hundreds of specialists to the Science and Technology Development agencies, and, 2. collectively by means of regular activities carried out by private technical and scientific societies, such as regular meetings and publications, especially in the fields of physics, mathematics, engineering, biology and chemistry.
31.b developing, improving and promoting international acceptance of codes of practice and guidelines related to science and technology and its role in reconciling environment and development : No information.
Brief comments on this chapter not already described in chapter 35 (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): Refer to chapters 27 and 35. In addition to the above comments, post-graduate associations contribute effectively to the drafting of educational, science and technology policies, and a relevant role is played in those areas by the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and the Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science (SBPC), with a membership of over 5,000 scientists, technicians, and university students.
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Ch. 32: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF
FARMERS. 32.a promoting and encouraging sustainable farming practices and technologies : The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) and the State Rural Extension organizations (EMATER`s) have the responsibility for assisting farmers in their work.
32.b developing a policy framework that provides incentives and motivation among farmers for sustainable and efficient farming practices : The participatory National Forum on Agriculture (see chapter 14) is in the process of formulating and proposing, in 1997, a new agricultural policy based on sustainable development practices. The "Green Protocol"(Chapters 30 and 33) provides credit and specific incentives to that effect.
32.c enhancing participation of organizations of farmers in design and implementation of sustainable development policies : The National Forum on Agriculture provides geographical and sectoral representation for that purpose.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): No information.
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AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 33: FINANCIAL RESOURCES
AND MECHANISMS
Financial resources and mechanisms are also covered under each
sectoral chapter of Agenda 21 where
relevant. This summary highlights broader national financial
policies, domestic and external
(including ODA)
CHANGES IN NATIONAL BUDGET TO ADDRESS SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT: No information.
NEW ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS: No information.
ELIMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY SUBSIDIES: No
information.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: No information.
ODA policy issues Brazil is a recipient of ODA.
|
ODA funding provided or received (Total US$million) | ||||||
Net flow of external capital from all sources as % of GDP | ||||||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 34: TRANSFER OF
ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGY, COOPERATION AND
CAPACITY-BUILDING
Transfer of environmentally sound technology, cooperation and
capacity-building is also covered under each sectoral
chapter of Agenda 21 where relevant. This summary highlights
broader national policies and actions relating to chapter
34.
Apart from the work regularly carried out in this field by
industry associations that subscribe to several programs like
Responsible Care, the Business Charter for Sustainable Development
and others, a relevant initiative quoted elsewhere in
this report is the GEF-UNIDO sponsored Center for Clean
Technologies, which will add another important element to the
various activities related to this matter by the National
Industrial Apprenticeship Service.
As mentioned in Chapter 30, a joint effort by public agencies
and companies as well as private corporations, under the
aegis of the National Standards Association, actively promotes
Brazilian participation at ISO 14 000 meetings and
promotes the implementation of those standards.
A broad educational campaign on sustainable development
features, aimed at small and medium sized companies was
launched in 1996, co-sponsored by SEBRAE (the national organization
for assisting SMEs) , Unesco, as well as a well-known business
magazine, and a major communications network.
MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION: No information.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: High
STATUS REPORT ON LINKS BETWEEN NATIONAL, REGIONAL
AND INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION
NETWORKS/SYSTEMS: By far the fastest growing and most flexible
system available at this time is Internet. During
the year 1996, the number of domains in Brazil went from 1,100 to
11,700, and the number of hosts from 17,200 to
77,400. End-users with regular access to Internet are estimated in
the range of a few million.
Describe any work being undertaken at the national or
local level regarding efforts to promote clean production
processes and/or the concepts of eco-efficiency. These processes
may include training, preferential financial
arrangements, information dissemination and changes in legal or
regulatory frameworks. No information.
Provide information on the adoption of environmental management systems. National reaction to environmental management system standards such as the ISO 14000 Series and others. Please note efforts made at the national level to promote their adoption and the creation of certification infrastructure in order to facilitate access to these standards to local industry. No information.
List and describe programs or work under way to facilitate the transfer of ESTs to small and medium sized enterprises. Please note efforts to facilitate access to financial resources and other transfer strategies.
No information.
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AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 35: SCIENCE FOR
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
A greater emphasis on scientific achievement and a marked
improvement in the access to information and means of
data processing and communication have signaled continuous progress
in this area in the past 4 years. Priorities include
biological and computer sciences, automation, and chemistry.
Relevant needs would point to marine and land resources,
health and the social sciences.
STEPS TAKEN TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, IMPROVE LONG
TERM SCIENTIFIC
ASSESSMENT, BUILDING OF CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY: A significant
step taken since 1992 was the
establishment of the National Council on Science and Technology
(CCT), chaired by the President of the Republic and
having distinguished scientists and leading businessmen as members,
thereby bringing together research and market
concerns. The new Council heads an institutional structure formed
by research, educational as well as development
agencies and organizations at federal, local and private levels,
which include the National Research Council (CNPq), the
Studies and Project Financing Agency (FINEP), the State Research
and Development Foundations, the University-level
Capacity Building Commission(CAPES), over one hundred universities
and several dozen public and private research
establishments. From 1992 to 1996, the number of undergraduate,
masters and doctorate level courses increased by 168,
91 and 77 to new figures of 1775, 1159 and 616, respectively.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: High
STATUS REPORT ON NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE,
RESEARCH NEEDS AND PRIORITIES:
Number of scientists, engineers and technicians engaged in research and experimental development |
|
| |
Total expenditure for research and experimental development (US$eq.) |
|
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in % of GNP |
|
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AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 36: PROMOTING EDUCATION,
PUBLIC AWARENESS AND TRAINING
Education for all, as set forth in the National Policy on
Basic Education, is both a constitutional requirement and an
international commitment subscribed by Brazil at Jomtien, Thailand,
in 1990. Priorities and targets set for education to
the year 2000 may include :
- reducing illiteracy from 18% in 1993 to less than 10%;
Other relevant features indicate that :
- the Northeastern region has the lowest mean number of years of
schooling, representing less than 60% of the national
average, and comprises about 37% of all illiterates in Brazil;
a) Reorientation of education towards sustainable
development There have been few initiatives which explicitly
refer
to sustainable development, as for instance the Ministry of
Environment / IBAMA / University of Brasilia Center and
those that exist in some universities. However, there is visible
interest on subjects such as consumer choices and rights,
health-oriented and anti-violence campaigns, environmental
education at all levels of schooling which are consistent with
the issue of sustainable development.
b) Increasing public awareness The role played by the
media in terms of informal education, not only covering the
news, but running articles, documentaries, debates and other
programs related to environmental protection and sustainable
development issues has definitely increased awareness as public
opinion polls frequently demonstrate. NGOs have also
contributed towards raising public awareness by influencing the
drafting and implementation of public policies on such
issues as womens and childrens rights, public health and education.
c) Promoting training No information.
ROLE OF MAJOR GROUPS: No information.
FINANCING AND COST EVALUATION OF THE LABOUR ACTIVITIES: No
information.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: According to 1990 statistics, the
educational level of the overall population could thus be described
:
22% were illiterates, 38% had the equivalent to grade 5, 19%
completed grade school, 13% finished high school and 8%
had university and post-graduate degrees.
- increasing access to schooling for the 7 to 14 age group from 96%
in 1994 to 100%;
- continuously raising pre-schooling figures for the 4 to 6 age
group, which have reached
48% in 1994, as compared to 29% in 1985.
- the poor (families earning less than 2 minimum wages) are
under-represented in pre-school and high school age groups
(40% as compared to 80% for the others), and in grade school (75%
as compared to 98%);
- of the 200 thousand grade schools, about 30% were urban, with 82%
of the pupils; 33% of grade school students failed
and repeated their year in 1992, 5% dropped out, and 63% were older
than the age group for the grade.
- 14 thousand high schools and 134 vocational schools were
practically all urban, and 60% of the pupils took night
courses; 55% of the students were over 17 years of age, down from
60% in 1985; repetition and truancy rates are
comparable to grade school;
- proportion of public to total number of schools is 90% at grade,
75% at high school and 40% at university levels.
Latest 1993 | ||||
Adult literacy rate (%) Male | ||||
Adult literacy rate (%) Female | ||||
% of primary school children reaching grade 5 (1986-97) | ||||
Mean number of years of schooling | ||||
% of GNP spent on education | ||||
Females per 100 males in secondary school | ||||
Women per 100 men in the labour force | ||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 37: NATIONAL MECHANISMS
AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION FOR CAPACITY-BUILDING IN DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES
National capacity building is also covered under sectoral
chapters.
Donors: You may wish to describe here how Agenda 21 has
influenced your ODA policies in this area.
Developing countries: You may wish to describe any new
national mechanisms for capacity building - and any changes
in technical cooperation.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: High
STATUS REPORT ON NATIONAL ENDOGENOUS CAPACITY
BUILDING: Greater efforts and more funds have
been oriented towards capacity-building of the public sector, as an
instrument for decentralization and improved
efficiency. On the other hand, multilateral agencies and banks,
namely the World Bank and the Inter-American
Development Bank and the United Nations Development Program, have
consistently supported local initiatives both in
conventional and more dynamic professional fields. That is also the
case with some bilateral arrangements with Japan,
Germany, the United Kingdom, France and the United States, which
have assisted government and NGO initiatives.
Worth mentioning are projects involving the National Industrial
Apprenticeship Service such as the Center for Cleaner
Technologies.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 38: INTERNATIONAL
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
A significant reversal of the previous situation, in terms of
capital flows has occurred in Brazils relationship with the
World Bank. The value of financing contracts signed during this
decade have exceeded US$4.7 billion, covering
agriculture, water resources, irrigating, sanitation, highways and
other sectors.
Ch. 38: Brief summary of any particular UN System response
affecting this country/state: Several UN agencies have
provided Brazil with technical assistance but limited funding. The
most relevant, after UNCED, has been the United
Nations Development Program - UNDP, which has been an important
partner in areas such as capacity building in areas
such as public administration, external relations, health,
education and environment. Also active in their own fields were
UNESCO, FAO, WHO, UNIDO and ILO.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 39: INTERNATIONAL LEGAL
INSTRUMENTS AND MECHANISMS
These developments have inevitably influenced the domestic
situation at the regional, local and individual levels, and
touched upon the issue of sustainability with regard to government
institutions and the private sector.
A common bilateral environmental agenda has been agreed upon
in 1995/96 between Brazil and the United States,
Germany, India, China and Canada, and a memorandum of understanding
signed with Argentina.
Ch. 39: International Legal Instruments are covered under
the relevant sectoral chapters. This is a listing of major
agreements/conventions (not already covered) entered into and
relevant to Agenda 21: The most significant
international arrangements from the point of view of trading
practices and regulations, with visible social and economic
implications for Brazil, have taken place within the framework of
Mercosul, involving Argentina, Paraguay and
Uruguay, and more recently Chile and Bolivia, and also in Brazils
relations with the world community, as a result of
GATTs Uruguay Round.
2. | International cooperation and trade | |||||
3. | Combating poverty | |||||
4. | Changing consumption patterns | |||||
5. | Demographic dynamics and sustainability | |||||
6. | Human health | |||||
7. | Human settlements | |||||
8. | Integrating E & D in decision-making | |||||
9. | Protection of the atmosphere | |||||
10. | Integrated planning and management of land resources | |||||
11. | Combating deforestation | |||||
12. | Combating desertification and drought | |||||
13. | Sustainable mountain development | |||||
14. | Sustainable agriculture and rural development | |||||
15. | Conservation of biological diversity | |||||
16. | Biotechnology | |||||
17. | Oceans, seas, coastal areas and their living resources | |||||
18. | Freshwater resources | |||||
19. | Toxic chemicals | |||||
20. | Hazardous wastes | |||||
21. | Solid wastes | |||||
22. | Radioactive wastes | |||||
24. | Women in sustainable development | |||||
25. | Children and youth | |||||
26. | Indigenous people | |||||
27. | Non-governmental organizations | |||||
28. | Local authorities | |||||
29. | Workers and trade unions | |||||
30. | Business and industry | |||||
31. | Scientific and technological community | |||||
32. | Farmers | |||||
33. | Financial resources and mechanisms | |||||
34. | Technology, cooperation and capacity-building | |||||
35. | Science for sustainable development | |||||
36. | Education, public awareness and training | |||||
37. | International cooperation for capacity-building | |||||
38. | International institutional arrangements | |||||
39. | International legal instruments | |||||
40. | Information for decision-making |
No information
Latest 1995 | |||||||||||||||||||
Number of telephones in use per 100 inhabitants | |||||||||||||||||||
per 100 inhabitants | |||||||||||||||||||
INTERNET services
|
|
|
| number of domains (1000)
|
| number of hosts (1000)
|
| * end users estimated at a few million
| |
Copyright © United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Comments and suggestions: esa@un.org
Last updated 1 November 1997