O presente trabalho aborda a adoção e divulgação de relatórios de sustentabilidade no setor das empresas produtoras de etanol do estado de São Paulo (2013-2015) com o objetivo de analisar a publicação de relatórios de sustentabilidade e a suficiência das informações nele divulgadas. Pretende-se propor um conjunto de Princípios, Critérios e Indicadores (PCI) de desempenho em sustentabilidade, específicos ao contexto da produção de etanol de cana-deaçúcar. O método de pesquisa se baseou em: estudo da adoção de governança corporativa; seleção dos relatórios de sustentabilidade publicados no triênio 2013-2015; definição dos elementos do conjunto (PCI) de avaliação do desempenho em sustentabilidade; avaliação da suficiência de informações publicadas nos relatórios de sustentabilidade; validação de conteúdo dos elementos do Conjunto PCI; e proposição final do Conjunto PCI. Os resultados indicaram que as empresas que declararam adotar governança corporativa representam 20,5% das empresas cadastradas na ANP no estado de São Paulo. As que publicaram relatórios de sustentabilidade representam 11,49% do setor, sendo elas parte das anteriores. Em relação à suficiência de informações, a empresa com maior pontuação obteve 38,26% de suficiência de seu conteúdo, ou seja, bem abaixo dos 50%. As empresas com capital aberto obtiveram posições intermediárias, face às pressões externas por divulgação de informações. A omissão de publicações de informações relevantes foi observada em todas, sendo que 9 das 10 empresas estudadas omitiram informações sobre multas e sanções de aspecto socioambiental. Em relação aos indicadores, os novos propostos obtiveram a melhor pontuação média, superior aos indicadores oriundos do modelo GRI, que já são demandados para a publicação nos relatórios das empresas. A publicação de informações dos indicadores novos propostos superior aos outros indicadores ressaltou a relevância das informações, tanto para as empresas quanto para a academia, pois sua publicação não foi exigida pelo modelo de relatório adotado. De forma geral, pode-se dizer que o setor, como um todo, encontra-se no início de uma jornada em busca do aumento de sua sustentabilidade, sendo que a falta de transparência generalizada denota que há muitos desafios a serem superados, principalmente na divulgação de informações. / This thesis approaches the adoption and disclosure of sustainability reports on ethanol industry of São Paulo State on 2013-15, aiming to analyzing the sufficiency of information disclosed on company\'s reports. A set of Principles, Criteria and Indicators (PCI), specific to the production of sugarcane ethanol is proposed to evaluate the performance on sustainability. The steps of research were based on: study of corporate governance adoption on ethanol São Paulo State industry; gathering of sustainability reports published during 2013 to 2015; definition of PCI elements to the evaluation of performance on sustainability; sufficiency assessment of information disclosed on reports; validation of PCI elements; and final proposition of PCI. The analysis has indicated that only 20.5% of companies authorized by National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuel Agency (NPA) on São Paulo State has declared the adoption of corporate governance, whereas 11.49% of companies authorized by NPA has published sustainability reports. The best score among all companies which were studied represented 38.26% on sufficiency assessment, which is below the 50% attendance. Public companies reached intermediate scores, despite external pressures and demands to disclose information, what could lead these companies to higher scores. Some relevant information was omitted in general ways, 9 to 10 companies did not disclose information about socioenvironmental fines. According to the assessment, the new indicators proposed has reached higher scores among the indicator types who compose PCI set, superior than indicators from GRI model, which are already required by on sustainability reports. PCI indicators has reached 62.5% of validation, which represented the definition of 64 indicators to form the basic elements of proposed set. The fact of new indicators proposed have reached higher results appointed to the relevance of these specific information to sugarcane ethanol context. In additional, these results highlighted the need to embody the new indicators proposed to tackled information nonrequired by other sustainability report models. In general ways, the ethanol industry has a long path to increase its sustainability, mostly on disclosure of sustainability.

O aumento significativo da deterioração das condições ambientais e sociais em muitas partes do mundo indicam que a sustentabilidade como um todo pode estar ameaçada. Assim a sustentabilidade empresarial tornou-se um objetivo bastante almejado e de fundamental importância não só para as empresas que sofrem constantes pressões sociais, mas também para toda a humanidade. Por esses motivos, cada vez mais empresas estão adotando relatórios de sustentabilidade para demonstrar seu engajamento com a sustentabilidade empresarial. Para tanto, é preciso utilizar indicadores adequados para a mensuração de desempenho dessas organizações em relação à sustentabilidade. Assim, esta dissertação analisou relatórios de sustentabilidade e identificou que o relatório de sustentabilidade GRI vem sendo utilizado não apenas como um relatório de transparência mas como um certificador, portanto tem como objetivo avaliar se o GRI pode ser analisada como ferramenta adequada para a caracterização de empresas brasileiras enquanto sustentáveis, por meio de revisão bibliográfica, pesquisa em modelos de indicadores de sustentabilidade e análise dos relatórios das seis empresas brasileiras atestadas como A+. Como resultado desta pesquisa verificou-se que o GRI deve ser melhorado em vários e importantes aspectos para que possa ser usado como certificador da Sustentabilidade Empresarial. / The significant increase of deteriorating environmental and social conditions in many parts of the world indicate that sustainability as a whole may be threatened. Thus corporate sustainability has become a very desired objective and of fundamental importance not only for companies that suffer constant social pressures, but also for all mankind. Thus, seek sustainability has come to represent a real need for organizations to be able to survive. For these reasons more and more companies are adopting sustainability reports to demonstrate their commitment to corporate sustainability. Thus, this dissertation examined sustainability reports and identified the GRI sustainability report has been used not only as a transparency report but as a certifier therefore aims to evaluate whether the GRI can be considered as suitable tool for characterizing companies while Brazilian sustainable, through literature review, research on models of sustainability indicators and analysis of the reports of the six Brazilian companies certified as A +. As a result of this research it was found that the GRI should be improved in several important respects so that it can be used as certifier Corporate Sustainability.

O presente estudo trata da análise do uso de indicadores de sustentabilidade no porto de Santos SP. Procura levantar a problemática da utilização deste tipo de indicador para as atividades portuárias, sua importância e dificuldades. A pesquisa bibliográfica e documental de caráter exploratório buscou o correto entendimento do contexto atual de operação do porto de Santos SP, e as possibilidades de melhoria da gestão portuária para a sustentabilidade. Com base em uma metodologia amplamente aceita internacionalmente - o GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) e análise de informações coletadas junto à autoridade portuária - CODESP (Companhia Docas do Estado de São Paulo) - o estudo apresenta uma proposta de estrutura de indicadores para a gestão e relato de sustentabilidade com base nos atuais indicadores de gestão do porto. O porto de Santos atualmente utiliza como ferramenta de monitoramento de suas atividades um sistema de indicadores de gestão que é composto por 70 indicadores, em sua maioria operacionais. A proposta apresentada foi estruturada em um grupo de indicadores para cada dimensão considerada essencial para a avaliação de sustentabilidade do porto econômica (4 indicadores), ambiental (11 indicadores) e social (5 indicadores). Perante o objetivo geral apresentado para este trabalho, foi possível verificar que o tema da sustentabilidade apresenta um campo muito grande para aplicação de seus conceitos nas diversas atividades do porto. Esta proposta pode ser adaptada para a realidade de outros portos do país, fornecendo base para o início de práticas de gestão e relatos de sustentabilidade, que possibilitem melhorias no controle de questões socioambientais complexas e que hoje possuem impactos significativos ao longo da costa brasileira, afetando populações de grande significância, em regiões que possuem características ecológicas de transição entre ambientes terrestres e aquáticos e que, além de seu valor biológico, sofrem grandes distúrbios de seu equilíbrio dinâmico natural devido a estes impactos antrópicos. A gestão de sustentabilidade do Porto de Santos apresenta grandes desafios, principalmente no gerenciamento dos diversos tipos de resíduos que são gerados, o controle de eventuais emissões provindas de vazamentos e outras situações emergenciais, e também das emissões contínuas. Outro ponto de grande relevância são as dragagens de aprofundamento do canal, que necessitam de um gerenciamento muito bem estruturado para a mitigação dos impactos ambientais destas obras. Esta estrutura de indicadores tem como usuários potenciais: os gestores do porto, que poderão obter informações relevantes para o planejamento e tomada de decisão relativa à sustentabilidade da organização; os órgãos reguladores, que obterão informações quanto ao atendimento de requisitos legais; a comunidade local, que ganhará a possibilidade de acompanhar o desenvolvimento das ações sociais realizadas e seus resultados; as empresas usuárias do porto, que serão influenciadas a se alinhar com as ações em busca da sustentabilidade; organizações não-governamentais envolvidas com questões sócio-ambientais ou comprometidas com a preservação de condições ambientais; e demais interessados nos impactos causados pelo porto na região. / This study is an analysis of the use of indicators for sustainability at the port of Santos - SP. Aims to discuss the use of this kind of indicators for port activities, its importance and difficulties. The exploratory research was based on literature and documents provided by port authority seeking the correct understanding of the port of Santos current operational context, and the possibilities for improving the port sustainability management. Based on a methodology that is widely accepted internationally - the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) - and analysis of information collected from the port authority - CODESP (São Paulo Dock Company) - the study presents a proposal for an indicators framework for sustainability management and report, based on current indicators of the port. The port of Santos currently uses a system of management indicators for monitoring its activities, which consists of 70 indicators, mostly operational. The proposal was structured in a set of indicators for each dimension considered essential for the port sustainability assessment economic (4 indicators), environmental (11 indicators) and social (5 indicators). In accordance with the general objective of this study, it was possible to verify that sustainability issue has a very large application area of its concepts in the various activities of the port. This proposal can be adapted to the reality of other ports in the country, providing the basis for the initiation of sustainability management and report, which enable improvements in control of complex environmental issues that have significant impacts along the Brazilian coast, affecting substantial populations in areas that have characteristics of ecological transition between terrestrial and aquatic environments. Despite its biological value, these areas suffer major disruptions of their natural dynamic balance due to these human impacts. The sustainability management of the Port of Santos presents major challenges, especially in the management of various types of wastes that are generated, the control of occasional emissions caused by leaks and other emergencies, and also continuous emissions. Another important point is the dredging to deepen the channel, which needs a well structured management for mitigating the environmental impacts of this work. The potential users of this indicators structure are: the port managers, which can obtain relevant information for planning and decision making related to the organization sustainability; the regulatory agencies, which will obtain information regarding the legal requirements compliance; the local community, that will have the possibility of tracking the development of social actions and their results; the private companies that are port users, which will be influenced to align with the sustainability pursuit; non-governmental organizations involved in socio-environmental issues and committed to preservation of environmental conditions; and other stakeholders interested in the impacts caused by the port in the region.

Neste trabalho buscou-se conhecer as perspectivas de sustentabilidade socioambiental no contexto do desenvolvimento do turismo na cidade de Mateiros/Tocantins. Para tanto, foi avaliada a aplicabilidade em destino de pequeno porte dos indicadores de sustentabilidade: Índice de Qualidade de Vida (IQV), Indicadores de Sustentabilidade da Organização das Nações Unidas (ONU) e Pegada Ecológica do Turismo. Percebeu-se que houve um incremento no IQV da cidade de Mateiros de 32,82% após o estabelecimento do turismo, com destaque para as famílias que atuam na produção das peças de artesanato de capim dourado. A mudança, de 0,162 para 0,215, indica que apesar de ter havido uma elevação na qualidade de vida das famílias entrevistadas, o IQV permaneceu baixo, isto é, com valores entre zero e 0,499. Tal fato demonstra que a qualidade de vida das famílias não é satisfatória. Quanto à ferramenta da ONU, percebeu-se que não há sistematização de dados suficientes para que esta ferramenta possa ser utilizada pelos órgãos governamentais na captação de recursos e utilização destes para criar novas políticas públicas para a região. Tal fato demonstra uma ineficácia em destinos de pequeno porte que se assemelhem à cidade de Mateiros na forma em que foi utilizado nesse trabalho. Quanto à Pegada Ecológica do Turismo, de acordo com a metodologia proposta, são necessários 2.194,2263 hectares de terras para absorver o CO2 demandado pela atividade turística na região. A categoria com maior impacto foi terras de energia fóssil na subcategoria transporte terrestre. Conclui-se, então, que os indicadores de sustentabilidade Pegada Ecológica do Turismo e Índice de Qualidade de Vida mostraram-se ferramentas eficazes para se avaliar as perspectivas de sustentabilidade de destinos de pequeno porte. / This work aimed to investigate the possibilities for environmental sustainability in the context of tourism development in the community of Mateiros/Tocantins. Therefore, we evaluated the applicability of sustainability indicators in small tourist destination: Quality of Life Index (QLI), Sustainability Indicators of the United Nations and Tourism Ecological Footprint. It was concluded that there was an increase in the Quality of Life Index of Mateiross community of 32.82% after the establishment of tourism, especially for families who work in the production of capim dourado handicrafts. The changes from 0.162 to 0.215 indicates that although there was a rise in the quality of life of the families interviewed, QLI remained low, that is, with values between zero and 0,499. This shows that the families quality of life is not satisfactory. As the UN tool, it was noticed that there is not systematic enough data. So the tool proposed by the UN cant be used by government agencies to create new public policies for the region. This fact demonstrates the ineffectiveness of its use in small destinations that are similar to the city of Mateiros. As for the Ecological Footprint of Tourism, according to the proposed methodology, it is needed 2194.2263 hectares of land to absorb CO2 demanded by tourism in the region. The category with the greatest impact is fossil energy land in sub ground transportation. It was concluded, then, that the Tourism Ecological Footprint and Quality of Life Index were effective sustainability indicators tools to evaluate small destinations.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:44:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LUCIANO FERREIRA FARIAS.pdf: 19863150 bytes, checksum: 3c6f46119907c5ab941cdc2b4b9a6fb9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-01-25 / The green revolution brought about significant changes in the agricultural production process brasilian. Agricultural techniques, irrigation, improved seeds, fertilizer and pesticides were the main technological packages practices coming from the green Revolution. Many social and environmental problems have arisen as a consequence of the use of technological packages, among them stands the rural exodus, water contamination, soil compaction and others. Besides of environmental and social problems that have arisen with the green revolution, agricultural production increased. This way, new agricultural frontiers were opened contributing to the development of several Brazilian regions. The concept development for a long time, was conditional on economic growth and put aside social and environmental factors necessary for the quality of life of Brazilian society. In this recent years, the concept of development came to encompass other aspects that were until now irrelevant. Social and environmental aspects were inserted in the evaluation of development of a region or activity. From interaction and evaluation of social and environmental aspects and economic, arise the concept of development sustainable. In this case, to assess the sustainable development of a region or activity you need to check the variables related to social, environmental and economics. The present study describes the economic aspects, environmental and social of the municipalities of Britania-GO and Itapuranga-GO the time frame 2000 to 2010. No(acho que tem que apagar isso) During the research it was evident that social indicators, economic and environmental relations have differences, equalities and environmental indicators proximity. The social indicators, such as average income of the population, number of jobs and revenues from ICMS were grown in large number of county. Despite the large number of information obtained in field surveys and indicators provided by the IBGE , was impossible to determinate which agriculture has more proximity to the concept of sustainable development. / A Revolução Verde provocou mudanças significativas no processo de produção agrícola brasileira. Técnicas de irrigação, melhoramento de sementes, utilização de fertilizantes e agrotóxicos foram as principais práticas advindas dos pacotes tecnológicos da Revolução Verde. Muitos problemas sociais e ambientais surgiram como consequência da utilização dos pacotes tecnológicos. Dentre eles, destacam-se o êxodo rural, a contaminação dos recursos hídricos, a compactação do solo, etc. Apesar dos problemas sociais e ambientais que surgiram com a Revolução Verde, a produção agrícola aumentou consideravelmente. Dessa forma, novas fronteiras agrícolas foram abertas, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento de várias regiões brasileiras. O conceito de desenvolvimento ficou condicionado, durante muito tempo, ao crescimento econômico, deixando de lado outros fatores sociais e ambientais necessários para a qualidade de vida da sociedade brasileira. Nos últimos anos, o conceito de desenvolvimento passou a englobar outros aspectos que até então eram desconsiderados. Os aspectos sociais e ambientais foram inseridos na avaliação do desenvolvimento de uma região ou atividade. A partir da interação e avaliação de aspectos sociais, ambientais e econômicos surgiu o conceito de desenvolvimento sustentável. Neste caso, para avaliar o desenvolvimento sustentável de uma atividade ou região é necessário verificar as variáveis relacionadas aos aspectos sociais, ambientais e econômicos. O presente estudo descreve os aspectos econômicos, ambientais e sociais dos municípios de Britânia GO e Itapuranga GO no recorte temporal de 2000 a 2010. No decorrer da pesquisa, ficou evidente que os indicadores sociais, econômicos e ambientais apresentam relações de diferenças, igualdades e proximidades. Os indicadores ambientais de uso de agrotóxicos e uso do solo foram os que apresentaram maior disparidade. Os indicadores sociais, como o rendimento médio da população, o número de empregos e a arrecadação de ICMS foram crescentes nos dois municípios. Apesar do grande número de informações obtidas nas pesquisas de campo e nos indicadores disponibilizados pelo IBGE, não foi possível precisar qual atividade agrícola está aproximando-se mais do conceito de desenvolvimento sustentável.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:44:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ANGELITA LOPES.pdf: 2443341 bytes, checksum: 230786aea32eb4ea63a3f025638da425 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-11 / This research aimed to investigate the condition of the survival of rural education schools in the context of sustainable development in the State of Goiás through sustainability indicators. One of the challenges in addressing the issue, is to grasp the knowledge through the eyes of several theorists who walk by themes such as sustainable development, sustainability indicators and field education. This proposal constitutes an attempt to collaborate with the construction of a table showing the conditions of sustainability of schools located in rural areas in order to collaborate with solutions to a reality in which various persons are excluded and no access to mainstream education . The challenge of the research is to affirm and reconnect knowledge through the eyes of these theorists, on the understanding that education brings together various elements of the field delimiters of his own field of research, from their specific experiences carried over from the formation of their social identity. The central axes defined in this research relate to sustainability indicators and field education, analyzed its interaction with the models of development and educational policies adopted in the state of Goiás, through sustainability indicators of the Brazilian Institute of Geography (IBGE) Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC), Superintendent of Statistics, Research and Socioeconomic Information (SEPIN). / Esta pesquisa buscou investigar a condição de sobrevivência das escolas de educação do campo no contexto de desenvolvimento sustentável no Estado de Goiás através dos indicadores de sustentabilidade. Um dos desafios em abordar a questão, é apreender o conhecimento através do olhar de vários teóricos que caminham por temáticas como desenvolvimento sustentável, indicadores de sustentabilidade e educação do campo. Tal proposta constitui-se numa tentativa de colaborar com a construção de um quadro que apresente as condições de sustentabilidade das escolas localizadas no espaço rural, visando colaborar com soluções para uma realidade, em que diversos sujeitos estão excluídos e sem acesso ao sistema de ensino regular. O desafio da pesquisa é afirmar e religar o conhecimento através do olhar destes teóricos, no entendimento que a educação do campo reúne vários elementos delimitadores de seu campo próprio de investigação, a partir de suas experiências específicas concretizadas ao longo da formação de sua identidade social. Os eixos centrais delimitados desta pesquisa referem-se aos indicadores de sustentabilidade e educação do campo, analisados em sua interação com os modelos de desenvolvimentos e políticas educacionais adotados no estado de Goiás, por meio dos indicadores de sustentabilidade do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia (IBGE), Ministério da Educação e Cultura (MEC), Superintendência de Estatística, Pesquisa e Informações Socioeconômicas (SEPIN).

Scholars have frequently considered the analysis of sustainable design and performance of the built fabric over the past two decades with regard to diversity, density and accessibility. They fall short of developing a holistic, systematic and objective assessment system for the analysis of the sustainable urban form. Subsequently, there is still a noticeable gap regarding the relationship between these dimensions and the patterns and the layout of built environments in the Middle East in general and in Iraq in particular. Intense and rapid economic development and urbanisation in Northern Iraq has resulted in expansive urban of built environments to accommodate the ever increasing urban population and level of activity in the city of Erbil. Architectural, planning and urban design trends at the intra-urban and neighbourhood levels indicate a state of disharmony and random physical forms that lack frameworks for understanding sustainable urban form in relation to urban patterns and layout. In this context, Accessibility, Connectivity, Compatibility, Diversity, Nodality, Density, Urban Identity, and Adaptability have been considered as analysis criteria to evaluate the sustainability of spatial patterns of urban form. The thesis aims to explore and examine the relationship between urban patterns and sustainable urban form in Erbil city in the context of sustainability through developing a customised but context-based framework for sustainable urban fabric indicators. To accomplish this, five case studies of residential projects with variable states of occupancy, completion, and social profiling have been chosen to investigate the practice of the sustainable urban form indicators. The research adopted a mixed-methodological approach, which combines quantitative and qualitative surveys of users, planners, and decision makers to enhance an understanding of the local perception of urban sustainability. A random sampling process is applied for the quantitative survey when distributing the questionnaires. The successful sample size, which was analysed, was 252 respondents. Using comparative analysis of sustainable urban form indicators in the recent local residential projects, quantitative findings have noticeably indicated significant variation in the effectiveness of indicators' performance, and consequently support the research assumption with statistical evidence that urban patterns have a significant impact on achieving sustainable urban forms in developing countries. The study concludes that the urban pattern indicator framework offers an efficient and rigorous approach that enables a credible assessment of the design strategies and planning decision-making in residential developments to achieve sustainable urban forms. These findings have evident implications for urban planners and policy makers during the design stage. The study has proposed practical planning and design guidelines which aim to enhance the local built environment.

Submitted by Cássia Santos (cassia.bcufg@gmail.com) on 2014-10-14T14:46:29Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Idelfonso Colares de Freitas - Agronomia.pdf: 1658368 bytes, checksum: 281951adbbc39fb163075382c1dc3798 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jaqueline Silva (jtas29@gmail.com) on 2014-10-17T21:40:37Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Idelfonso Colares de Freitas - Agronomia.pdf: 1658368 bytes, checksum: 281951adbbc39fb163075382c1dc3798 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-17T21:40:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Idelfonso Colares de Freitas - Agronomia.pdf: 1658368 bytes, checksum: 281951adbbc39fb163075382c1dc3798 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-10 / Based on the premise that the replacement of native forests by agroecosystems impacts the soil, were studied different forms of soil use compared to a fragment preserved forest. The study was conducted in an Entisol Quartzipsammentunder the family agriculture use for 22 years, managed under: SAF – Agroforestry system, PA - Pasture, RT - Slash and burn field and MA - Preserved forest. The management impacts on the soil were estimated by the changes in the accumulation and quality of the soil mulch and by the changes on the physical and chemical indicators of soil. The collect of soil mulch, the soil resistance to penetration, until 40 cm depth, and the collect of deformed and undeformed soil samples, for of physical and chemical analyzes, collected in seven repetitions for each system, layers 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 and 20-40 cm depths for two consecutive years and in two sampling periods (July 2010/2011 and January 2011/2012). The variables analyzed were: accumulation of soil mulch and its nutrient content, carbon stock on soil mulch and the soil, plant residue quality index, soil organic matter, soil acidity, exchangeable bases, cation exchange capacity, bases and aluminum saturation, strength penetration, bulk density, porosity and soil aggregation. The results showed that soil use with agroforestry system, even after 22 years of use, little differentiates itself from the preserved area. The conversion of forest in agroecosystems enhances the soil chemical properties and significantly reduces the stocked carbon in the soil mulch compartment, as noted in the “slash and burn” field. The soil use with pasture for successive years increases bulk density, strength penetration, microporosity and reduces soil macroporosity. In this study, clear distinctions between the forms of use and soil management were observed in stocks of litter on the soil surface and strength penetration. / Partindo da premissa que a substituição das florestas nativas por agroecossistemas impacta os solos, foram estudadas diferentes formas de uso do solo em comparação a um fragmento de floresta preservada. O estudo foi realizado em um Neossolo Quartzarênico sob uso da agricultura familiar por 22 anos, manejado sob: SAF – Sistema agroflorestal, PA – Pasto, RT – Roça de toco e MA – Mata preservada. Os impactos do manejo sobre o solo foram estimados por meio das mudanças ocorridas no acúmulo e qualidade da serrapilheira, indicadores físicos e químicos do solo. Coletas de serrapilheira, penetrometrias até 40 cm e amostras deformadas e indeformadas de solo, para fins de análises físicas e químicas, foram feitas em sete repetições por sistema de uso, nas camadas 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 e 20-40 cm, por dois anos consecutivos e em dois períodos de amostragem (Julho 2010/2011 e Janeiro 2011/2012). As variáveis analisadas foram: acúmulo de serrapilheira, teores de nutrientes na serrapilheira, estoque de carbono nos compartimentos serrapilheira e solo, índice de qualidade de resíduo vegetal, matéria orgânica do solo, acidez do solo, bases trocáveis, capacidade de troca de cátions, saturação por bases e alumínio, resistência do solo à penetração, densidade do solo, porosidade e agregação do solo. Os resultados apontaram que o uso do solo com sistema agroflorestal, mesmo após 22 anos de uso, pouco se diferencia da área preservada. A conversão da floresta em agroecossistemas potencializa os atributos químicos do solo e reduz, sensivelmente, o carbono estocado no compartimento serrapilheira, conforme observado na Roça de toco. O uso do solo com Pasto, por sucessivos anos, incrementa a densidade do solo, resistência à penetração do solo, microporosidade e reduz a macroporosidade do solo. Neste estudo, clara distinção entre as formas de uso e manejo do solo foram observadas nos estoques de serrapilheira sobre a superfície do solo e resistência à penetração.

Mining depletes, processes, and relocates mineral resources while profoundly changing landscapes and socio-economic patterns of affected regions and communities. For millennia these impacts have been “accepted” by society because of minerals’ many benefits, but the growing environmental crisis is pushing up demand for socially responsible and ecologically viable mining practices. In reaction to these pressures, large mining corporations have been increasingly trying to make the business case for a sustainable mining industry. To demonstrate progress towards this “case”, companies have started to publish sustainability reports based on a sustainability assessment and reporting tool called the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Framework. Many scholars have contested the effectiveness of that framework and argued that GRI-based reports can mislead decision-makers concerned with sustainability, or even camouflage unsustainable practices, particularly at the site level. Few scholars, however, have gone far beyond the realm of criticism to understand how to enhance that framework. This thesis addresses this gap. More specifically it sets out to answer the following questions: 1) what needs to be changed in mining corporations’ approaches to assessing and reporting sustainability for the purpose of promoting more meaningful and reliable disclosures? And 2) what are the key practical and conceptual barriers to implementing those changes? This research adopted a qualitative grounded theory approach underpinned by systems theories to answer the questions. Data were collected through extensive literature reviews, 41 semi-structured interviews and content analyses. The evaluation of data included software-aided techniques such as iterative coding, memo-writing, and diagramming. The four main contributions are as follows. First, the thesis presents an evaluation of the extent to which mining corporations’ approaches to sustainability reporting meet eight principles (the BellagioSTAMP) of sustainability assessment and communication. In light of the identified gaps, the thesis outlines a number of specific changes that should be promoted in mining corporations’ sustainability frameworks. Second, a critical evaluation is provided of the limitations of an industry initiative that is pushing for stronger GRI reporting. Proponents of that initiative are trying to standardize and enforce external verification of sustainability reports among large mining corporations, but, in doing so, they may reinforce a limited approach to sustainability reporting. Third, the thesis identifies and discusses the barriers that may emerge in the implementation of six additional guidance elements in the GRI framework that could promote sounder sustainability assessment and reporting processes. The many barriers are broadly categorized as motivational, structural and specific. Finally, the thesis specifies research implications for key stakeholder groups involved in sustainability reporting: standard-setters, industry associations, mining companies, external verifiers, investors, local communities, and scholars. Overall, this thesis corroborates the view that meaningful and reliable standardized disclosures of contributions to sustainability are unlikely to emerge any time soon. The geographical dispersion of mining corporations’ facilities imposes substantial barriers to the contextualization and systematization of sustainability evaluations and communications. These barriers can be overcome with additional indicator systems and partnerships, but standard-setters, industry associations, and governments do not seem motivated to take up this challenge soon. This situation opens opportunities for individual mining corporations to enhance their particular approaches. This thesis provides important information that should be considered in the development of a much needed long-term strategy for stronger sustainability reporting in the sector.

Mining depletes, processes, and relocates mineral resources while profoundly changing landscapes and socio-economic patterns of affected regions and communities. For millennia these impacts have been “accepted” by society because of minerals’ many benefits, but the growing environmental crisis is pushing up demand for socially responsible and ecologically viable mining practices. In reaction to these pressures, large mining corporations have been increasingly trying to make the business case for a sustainable mining industry. To demonstrate progress towards this “case”, companies have started to publish sustainability reports based on a sustainability assessment and reporting tool called the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Framework. Many scholars have contested the effectiveness of that framework and argued that GRI-based reports can mislead decision-makers concerned with sustainability, or even camouflage unsustainable practices, particularly at the site level. Few scholars, however, have gone far beyond the realm of criticism to understand how to enhance that framework. This thesis addresses this gap. More specifically it sets out to answer the following questions: 1) what needs to be changed in mining corporations’ approaches to assessing and reporting sustainability for the purpose of promoting more meaningful and reliable disclosures? And 2) what are the key practical and conceptual barriers to implementing those changes? This research adopted a qualitative grounded theory approach underpinned by systems theories to answer the questions. Data were collected through extensive literature reviews, 41 semi-structured interviews and content analyses. The evaluation of data included software-aided techniques such as iterative coding, memo-writing, and diagramming. The four main contributions are as follows. First, the thesis presents an evaluation of the extent to which mining corporations’ approaches to sustainability reporting meet eight principles (the BellagioSTAMP) of sustainability assessment and communication. In light of the identified gaps, the thesis outlines a number of specific changes that should be promoted in mining corporations’ sustainability frameworks. Second, a critical evaluation is provided of the limitations of an industry initiative that is pushing for stronger GRI reporting. Proponents of that initiative are trying to standardize and enforce external verification of sustainability reports among large mining corporations, but, in doing so, they may reinforce a limited approach to sustainability reporting. Third, the thesis identifies and discusses the barriers that may emerge in the implementation of six additional guidance elements in the GRI framework that could promote sounder sustainability assessment and reporting processes. The many barriers are broadly categorized as motivational, structural and specific. Finally, the thesis specifies research implications for key stakeholder groups involved in sustainability reporting: standard-setters, industry associations, mining companies, external verifiers, investors, local communities, and scholars. Overall, this thesis corroborates the view that meaningful and reliable standardized disclosures of contributions to sustainability are unlikely to emerge any time soon. The geographical dispersion of mining corporations’ facilities imposes substantial barriers to the contextualization and systematization of sustainability evaluations and communications. These barriers can be overcome with additional indicator systems and partnerships, but standard-setters, industry associations, and governments do not seem motivated to take up this challenge soon. This situation opens opportunities for individual mining corporations to enhance their particular approaches. This thesis provides important information that should be considered in the development of a much needed long-term strategy for stronger sustainability reporting in the sector.