ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE IN THE STATE OF MATO GROSSO DO SUL: progress and challenges in light of Munic 2020
avanços e desafios à luz da Munic 2020
Abstract
This study investigates environmental governance in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, based on data from the Municipal Basic Information Survey (MUNIC, 2020) of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), seeking to understand the level of institutionalization and the effectiveness of municipal structures focused on environmental management. The research, of an applied nature, with a quantitative approach and descriptive-analytical character, examines dimensions such as the existence of environmental agencies, councils, funds, legislation, environmental education programs, and conservation units. The results indicate that 80% of the municipalities in Mato Grosso do Sul have a structured environmental agency, 72% have an active council, and 57% have specific legislation, while only 26% maintain an operational environmental fund. These indicators demonstrate consistent progress since 2009, especially in institutional strengthening and social participation, but also reveal asymmetries between municipalities of different population sizes and shortcomings in the financing and execution of public policies. The article concludes that consolidating municipal environmental governance depends on improving local technical and financial capacities, intermunicipal integration, and the adoption of cooperative management instruments that make environmental policies more sustainable and effective.
