World Bank approaches to the environment in Brazil : a review of selected projects

This study examines how the Bank approached environmental concerns in several large projects in Brazil, so as to draw lessons for future Bank operations involving environmental protection, assessment, and management for the guidelines and procedures that shape these activities. The study also illustrates the evolution of environmental awareness both in the Bank and Brazil, and the growing integration of environmental concerns into Bank-assisted projects over the past two decades. The report traces the direct and indirect impacts of the investments involved on both the natural resource base and existing communities, new settlements, and productive activities and to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of planned mitigatory measures. The report draws lessons in three overlapping areas: environmental protection; environmental assessment and management; and Bank activities and procedures. Preconditions for effective environmental protection are: policy, legal, and regulatory framework; institutional and technical capacity; political commitment and accountability; public awareness and community participation; regulations and economic incentives. It concludes with lessons for environmental assessment and management and recommendations for Bank operations.