GEO Brasil - UNEP

Urban environmental management
also demonstrated progress in the
participation of social organisations,
particularly through committees, cooperatives
and community councils.
The issues of water resources, solid
residues and areas of environmental
protection have been treated with great
importance by such movements. The
committees of hydrographical basins
join distinct social participants and
lead to the enlargement of the local
scale to the supralocal and to the
management of multiple interests in
the use of the water.
These initiatives have been
experiencing recognition from the
population as well as from the public
agents, through consultation of
management processes or during the
execution of projects.
In turn, the formation and
organisation of co-operatives of
garbage scavengers are multiplying in
the Brazilian cities. These cooperatives,
besides stimulating joint
enterprise, contribute to the reduction
of generated garbage volume and
social waste and to the increase of
recycling and reuse of solid residues.
4.10.4. Company and Environment
Referring to business actions and the large environmental responsibility in the
private sector, a growing adoption of clean production technologies has been
observed. These minimise the generation of residues and of emissions and
released thrown in the atmosphere. Also, the social responsibility of the private
agents is a present demand in the current development process. The increase in
environmental demands from the world-wide consumer market has been forcing
national companies to adopt attitudes following the rules of the dispute for a
place in the international trade arena.
The industrial consumption of water and the impact of contamination of water
resources were significant in the 1980’s. They demonstrate positive alterations in
the need for reduction of production costs and energy consumption, as well as
the execution of legal demands and the adaptation to market requirements.
The implementing of an Environmental Management System within the
companies represents the adoption of an instrument capable of generating a
quality differential in the internal and external markets, following the improvement
in quality and in performance of activities.
When referring to environmental certification, the number of companies in Brazil
with ISO 14000 certifications grew from two, in 1995, to three hundred and thirty
in 2000. This number may still be considered to be low if compared to the number
of companies, potentially pollutant or not, existing in the country.
policies feedback
The managing councils of natural
resources and ecosystems are usually
composed in a non-heirarchical
fashion. They open the way to
incorporating the community
contributions in several modalities.
The public and private partnerships are
included in this list and have been
making possible the improvement
and conservation of the natural and
cultural patrimony.
4.11. Health and the Environment
In order for the Ministry of Health to establish an environmental health policy it
is fundamental that FUNASA develop solid links with the other MH agencies in
charge of developing environmental health actions and activities. Thus, FUNASA
submitted a draft proposal to set up a Permanent Environmental Health
Commission at the Ministry of Health. This Commission, created on December
11, 2001 through Ministerial Decree no. 2253/GM, is formed by FUNASA, ANVISA,
FIOCRUZ, the MH Health Policies Secretariat, the MH Executive Secretariat and
the Minister of Health’s Office.
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