Este trabalho estuda o instituto das medidas compensatórias como uma nova obrigação imposta pelo direito aos empreendimentos com potencial de causar impactos negativos ao meio ambiente. A pesquisa do tema se deu de forma crítica, enfrentando as contradições do sistema econômico vigente. Verificou-se que as medidas compensatórias emergiram da mais evidente crise ambiental ou à crescente escassez dos recursos naturais, buscando, ao mesmo tempo, a proteção ambiental e a manutenção do sistema de mercado. Procurando a melhor funcionalidade das medidas, pretendeu-se demonstrar que elas não se equiparam a uma forma de reparação por dano futuro, tampouco se enquadram necessariamente em uma espécie tributária; podem, como quis o Supremo Tribunal Federal, ser chamadas de compartilhamento de despesas entre o Poder Público e os empreendedores pelos custos da utilização dos recursos naturais no processo produtivo. Na verdade, em razão de serem dotadas das características da transversalidade e da interdisciplinaridade, as medidas compensatórias apresentam-se com diversas facetas, podendo mostrar características predominantes de mecanismos de comando e controle, como também de instrumentos econômicos. Assim, concluiu-se nesta tese ser um instituto híbrido, não enquadrável em uma categoria jurídica estanque. Verificou-se, ainda, ser necessária uma análise estrutural a fim de serem eficazes. Nesse sentido, propôs-se a sua instituição por normas primárias, nas quais se fixem padrões mínimos e com critérios objetivos de aplicação. Para tanto concluir, o estudo partiu dos debates já travados, tanto pela jurisprudência quanto pela doutrina, acerca da constitucionalidade, metodologia de cálculo e natureza jurídica de uma das medidas compensatórias, chamada compensação ambiental, instituída pela Lei nº 9.985/2000 (Lei do Sistema Nacional de Unidades de Conservação-SNUC). A partir daí, buscou-se demonstrar o processo subjacente à edição de normas ambientais, recaindo nos princípios do Direito Ambiental, dentre eles o importante princípio do poluidor-pagador, cuja premissa é internalizar os custos pela utilização dos recursos naturais no processo produtivo, para não serem assumidos pelo Poder Público e por toda a coletividade. Ainda, buscou-se diferenciar os conceitos de dano ambiental e de impacto negativo ao meio ambiente, porquanto as medidas compensatórias visam a compensar o meio ambiente pelos impactos negativos, significando uma perda aceita, prevista e gerenciada; o dano ambiental, por sua vez, é algo intolerável, indesejado e, por isso, objeto de reparação civil objetiva, de responsabilidade administrativa e, ainda, da penalização criminal / This paper studies the institution of compensatory measures, considered as a new obligation imposed by law for projects with the potential to cause adverse environmental impacts. The theme was investigated critically, facing the contradictions of the current economic system. In this regard, we verified compensatory measures instituted to cope with an increasingly apparent environmental crisis and the growing shortage of natural resources, while seeking environmental protection and maintenance of the market. In the search for a better functionality of the measures, we sought to demonstrate that they do not represent a form of compensation for future damages, nor do they necessarily fall within the range of any legitimate taxation. In fact, these measures were adopted by the Supreme Court more as a sharing of costs between government and entrepreneurs for the use of natural resources in the production process. Fundamentally, the compensatory measures of this instrument, equipped with characteristics of transversality and interdisciplinarity, present different aspects, which can deploy features to carry out command and control mechanisms, as well as economic instruments. Our thesis has therefore led us to the conclusion that this instrument is not readily classifiable under any isolated legal category, and should be looked upon as a hybrid mechanism. Nevertheless, we considered that a structural analysis was necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the measures. In this respect, we proposed it be instituted on primary norms, with the establishment of minimum standards and objective application criteria. This required starting with debates conducted in jurisprudence and doctrine over the constitutionality, method of calculation, and legal nature of a compensatory measure called environmental compensation, established by Law No. 9.985/2000 (Law of the National System of Conservation Units, SNUC). From there, we sought to demonstrate the process behind the issuing of environmental standards falling within the principles of environmental law; among which the important polluter pays principle, which is premised on the environmental externalities of economic activities that use natural resources, and prevents that pollution costs be borne by Government and, ultimately, by the whole community. We went on by delimiting the concepts of environmental damage and negative environmental impact, considering that compensatory measures aim at providing compensation for adverse impacts, which signify accepted, provided and managed losses. Environmental damage, in turn, is something unacceptable and undesirable, and must therefore be subject to civil liability, as well as criminal penalties.

Este trabalho estuda o instituto das medidas compensatórias como uma nova obrigação imposta pelo direito aos empreendimentos com potencial de causar impactos negativos ao meio ambiente. A pesquisa do tema se deu de forma crítica, enfrentando as contradições do sistema econômico vigente. Verificou-se que as medidas compensatórias emergiram da mais evidente crise ambiental ou à crescente escassez dos recursos naturais, buscando, ao mesmo tempo, a proteção ambiental e a manutenção do sistema de mercado. Procurando a melhor funcionalidade das medidas, pretendeu-se demonstrar que elas não se equiparam a uma forma de reparação por dano futuro, tampouco se enquadram necessariamente em uma espécie tributária; podem, como quis o Supremo Tribunal Federal, ser chamadas de compartilhamento de despesas entre o Poder Público e os empreendedores pelos custos da utilização dos recursos naturais no processo produtivo. Na verdade, em razão de serem dotadas das características da transversalidade e da interdisciplinaridade, as medidas compensatórias apresentam-se com diversas facetas, podendo mostrar características predominantes de mecanismos de comando e controle, como também de instrumentos econômicos. Assim, concluiu-se nesta tese ser um instituto híbrido, não enquadrável em uma categoria jurídica estanque. Verificou-se, ainda, ser necessária uma análise estrutural a fim de serem eficazes. Nesse sentido, propôs-se a sua instituição por normas primárias, nas quais se fixem padrões mínimos e com critérios objetivos de aplicação. Para tanto concluir, o estudo partiu dos debates já travados, tanto pela jurisprudência quanto pela doutrina, acerca da constitucionalidade, metodologia de cálculo e natureza jurídica de uma das medidas compensatórias, chamada compensação ambiental, instituída pela Lei nº 9.985/2000 (Lei do Sistema Nacional de Unidades de Conservação-SNUC). A partir daí, buscou-se demonstrar o processo subjacente à edição de normas ambientais, recaindo nos princípios do Direito Ambiental, dentre eles o importante princípio do poluidor-pagador, cuja premissa é internalizar os custos pela utilização dos recursos naturais no processo produtivo, para não serem assumidos pelo Poder Público e por toda a coletividade. Ainda, buscou-se diferenciar os conceitos de dano ambiental e de impacto negativo ao meio ambiente, porquanto as medidas compensatórias visam a compensar o meio ambiente pelos impactos negativos, significando uma perda aceita, prevista e gerenciada; o dano ambiental, por sua vez, é algo intolerável, indesejado e, por isso, objeto de reparação civil objetiva, de responsabilidade administrativa e, ainda, da penalização criminal / This paper studies the institution of compensatory measures, considered as a new obligation imposed by law for projects with the potential to cause adverse environmental impacts. The theme was investigated critically, facing the contradictions of the current economic system. In this regard, we verified compensatory measures instituted to cope with an increasingly apparent environmental crisis and the growing shortage of natural resources, while seeking environmental protection and maintenance of the market. In the search for a better functionality of the measures, we sought to demonstrate that they do not represent a form of compensation for future damages, nor do they necessarily fall within the range of any legitimate taxation. In fact, these measures were adopted by the Supreme Court more as a sharing of costs between government and entrepreneurs for the use of natural resources in the production process. Fundamentally, the compensatory measures of this instrument, equipped with characteristics of transversality and interdisciplinarity, present different aspects, which can deploy features to carry out command and control mechanisms, as well as economic instruments. Our thesis has therefore led us to the conclusion that this instrument is not readily classifiable under any isolated legal category, and should be looked upon as a hybrid mechanism. Nevertheless, we considered that a structural analysis was necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the measures. In this respect, we proposed it be instituted on primary norms, with the establishment of minimum standards and objective application criteria. This required starting with debates conducted in jurisprudence and doctrine over the constitutionality, method of calculation, and legal nature of a compensatory measure called environmental compensation, established by Law No. 9.985/2000 (Law of the National System of Conservation Units, SNUC). From there, we sought to demonstrate the process behind the issuing of environmental standards falling within the principles of environmental law; among which the important polluter pays principle, which is premised on the environmental externalities of economic activities that use natural resources, and prevents that pollution costs be borne by Government and, ultimately, by the whole community. We went on by delimiting the concepts of environmental damage and negative environmental impact, considering that compensatory measures aim at providing compensation for adverse impacts, which signify accepted, provided and managed losses. Environmental damage, in turn, is something unacceptable and undesirable, and must therefore be subject to civil liability, as well as criminal penalties.

This study emanates from the worldwide issue of climate change, as well as the need for all nations to make an effort to reduce their carbon emissions and move towards greener economies. It delves into South Africa's current command-and-control environmental enforcement regime and highlights the pitfalls that allow major air polluters to avoid sanction of any form in many instances. This poor environmental enforcement and compliance effectively means that South Africa is unlikely to be capable of meeting targets set under international agreements. The study confirms that environmental enforcement is inadequately addressed in South Africa. This is attributable to the inherent shortcomings of command-and-control approaches, including that they are inflexible and offer few incentives for firms to modify behaviour to reduce emissions. Poor enforcement of environmental legislation results in negative externalities caused by air pollution being borne by people who did not create such pollution. The study therefore advocates the use of market-based mechanisms as an alternative to traditional command-and-control approaches to environmental enforcement. In light of the South African government's recent publication of the Draft Carbon Tax Bill, carbon taxes as a subset of market-based environmental enforcement mechanisms have the potential to better enforce the polluter pays principle. Mexico, arguably the most forward-thinking developing nation in terms of climate change mitigation, has taken numerous steps towards meeting international commitments, including the implementation of a carbon tax. While South Africa's proposed carbon tax does differ from Mexico's in some respects, the basic premise remains the same and some comparisons can be made in this regard, with accompanying lessons to be learned. Such lessons include that it is imperative that the carbon tax must be set at a high enough rate to meet international commitments whilst at the same time avoiding adverse economic effects, maintaining social welfare and stabilising economic output levels. The proposed carbon tax, while unable to achieve this on its own, is a good place to start and should be utilised in conjunction with the Draft Climate Change Bill to effectively and efficaciously bring about the required change. The proposed carbon tax undoubtedly has the potential to better hold major air polluters responsible for their CO2 and other GHG emissions. / Private Law / LL. M.