B 2.1. Is environmental licensing required for sugar and ethanol production units in Brazil?
Yes. Amongst the Governments tools with which it can protect the environment, item IV of article 225 of the Brazilian Constitution stipulates the need for a previous study into the environmental impact of any construction or potentially damaging activity. This study is defined by law and access to it is guaranteed to anyone. Federal Law n 6.938/81, which provides for National Environmental Policy, adopts the following as instruments of this policy: a) the appraisal of environmental impact b) the licensing and review of polluting or potentially polluting activities (art. 9, III and IV). The licensing procedure is regulated by National Environment Council (CONAMA) Resolution n 237/97, according to which licensing depends on the preparation of an Environmental Impact Study and the respective Environmental Impact Report (EIA-RIMA) by the interested party. The EIA-RIMA involves a highly detailed study that describes the venture, the production process (including products, sub-products and t
