SOLID WASTE POLICIES AND CLIMATE CHANGE – THE CASES OF FEDERAL BRAZIL AND CANADA
- Klaus Frey - Graduate Program of Public Policy, Federal University of ABC, Center for Engineering, Modeling and Applied Social Sciences, Brazil
- Jutta Gutberlet - Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Canada
- Gina Rizpah Besen - Institute of Energy and Environment, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Available online in Detritus - In Press
Access restricted to subscribed members only
Released under All rights reserved
Copyright: © 2024 CISA Publisher
Abstract
The objective of our paper is to scrutinize the ongoing dynamics surrounding waste and climate policies within the federal democracies of Brazil and Canada. Our research design is guided by four primary inquiries. Firstly, we look at the integration of the circular economy concept within waste and climate policies. Secondly, we explore the extent to which concerns regarding solid waste are assimilated into climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. Thirdly, we assess the degree to which social inclusion is upheld as foundational principle within climate and waste policies. Lastly, we investigate the governance practices that have been put in place to promote effective intergovernmental and state-society cooperations. Initially, we illuminate the commonalities and disparities between Brazilian and Canadian federalism, emphasizing the challenges of policy coordination—a critical prerequisite for a smooth integration and successful execution of solid waste and climate policy initiatives. In the core section of our paper, we adopt a comparative lens to analyze both policy domains, focusing on (a) institutional frameworks, competencies, and the characteristics of the policy-making processes in each country; (b) legislative measures, programs, plans, and policy instruments to elucidate the policy fields and the linkages between them. We conclude our paper by juxtaposing the experiences of both countries and suggesting potential ways for mutual learning to improve federal democratic responses in tackling these complex and interlinked challenges.Keywords
Editorial History
- Received: 21 Mar 2024
- Revised: 27 Jun 2024
- Accepted: 26 Aug 2024
- Available online: 08 Oct 2024
References
Abrucio, F. L. (2005). A coordenação federativa no Brasil: a experiência do período FHC e os desafios do governo Lula. Revista de Sociologia e Política, 24, 41-64.
DOI 10.1590/S0104-44782005000100005
Anthony, L. (2022). Rounding the Corner: Towards a Circular Economy in Canada. C. S. Association. https://www.csagroup.org/article/public-policy/rounding-the-corner-towards-a-circular-economy-in-canada/
Arretche, M. (2012). Democracia, federalismo e centralização no Brasil. Editora FGV; Editora Fiocruz
Astrup, T., Fruergaard, T., & Christensen, T. H. (2009). Recycling of plastic: accounting of greenhouse gases and global warming contributions. Waste Management & Research, 27(8), 763-772.
DOI 10.1177/0734242x09345868
Astrup, T., Møller, J., & Fruergaard, T. (2009). Incineration and co-combustion of waste: accounting of greenhouse gases and global warming contributions. Waste Management & Research, 27(8), 789-799.
DOI 10.1177/0734242x09343774
Avritzer, L., Kerche, F., & Marona, M. (Eds.). (2021). Governo Bolsonaro: retrocesso democrático e degradação política. Autêntica Editora
Bauer, M. W., & Gaskell, G. (Eds.). (2000). Qualitative researching with text, image and sound: A practical handbook for social research. Sage
Benz, A., & Broschek, J. (2003). Conclusion: Theorizing federal dynamics. In A. Benz & J. Broschek (Eds.), Federal dynamics: Continuity, Change, and the Varieties of Federalism (pp. 366-388). Oxford University Press
Besen, G. R., & Fracalanza, A. P. (2016). Challenges for the Sustainable Management of Municipal Solid Waste in Brazil. disP - The Planning Review, 52(2), 45-52.
DOI 10.1080/02513625.2016.1195583
Bogner, J., Pipatti, R., Hashimoto, S., Diaz, C., Mareckova, K., Diaz, L., . . . Gregory, R. (2008). Mitigation of global greenhouse gas emissions from waste: conclusions and strategies from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report. Working Group III (Mitigation). Waste Management & Research, 26(1), 11-32.
DOI 10.1177/0734242x07088433
Braschel, N., & Posch, A. (2013). A review of system boundaries of GHG emission inventories in waste management. Journal of Cleaner Production, 44, 30-38.
Brasil. (2009). Política Nacional sobre Mudança do Clima. LEI Nº 12.187, DE 29 DE DEZEMBRO DE 2009, Institui a Política Nacional sobre Mudança do Clima - PNMC e dá outras providências. https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2007-2010/2009/lei/l12187.htm
Brasil. (2010). LEI Nº 12.305, DE 2 DE AGOSTO DE 2010, que institui a Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos; altera a Lei no 9.605, de 12 de fevereiro de 1998; e dá outras providências. https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2007-2010/2010/lei/l12305.htm
Brasil. (2016). Plano Nacional de Adaptação à Mudança do Clima. Sumário Executivo. Brasília: Ministério do Meio Ambiente Retrieved from https://antigo.mma.gov.br/images/arquivo/80182/LIVRO_PNA_Resumo%20Executivo_.pdf
Brasil. (2018). Decreto no 9578 de 22 novembro de 2018. Regulamenta a Política Nacional sobre Mudança do Clima Brasília Retrieved from http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2015-2018/2018/decreto/d9578.htm
Brasil. (2020). Lei Federal no 14026 de 15 de julho de 2020. Atualiza o marco legal do saneamento básico. Brasília Retrieved from https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2019-2022/2020/lei/l14026.htm
Brasil. (2021). GEE - Roteiro para redução de emissões de gases de efeito estufa (GEE) no manejo de RSU. Brasília: Ministério de Desenvolvimento Regional (MDR) e GIZ Retrieved from chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.gov.br/mdr/pt
Brasil. (2022). Decreto Federal no 10.936 de 12 de janeiro de 2022. Regulamenta a Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos. Brasília. Retrieved from https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2019-2022/2022/decreto/d10936.htm
Brazil, F. R. o. (2022). Paris Agreement – Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) , 21 March 2022. . Brasília Retrieved from https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/NDC/2022-06/Updated%20-%20First%20NDC%20-%20%20FINAL%20-%20PDF.pdf
Brasil. (2024). Projeto de Lei 1874 de 2022. Instituti a Política Nacional de Economia Circular. Retrieved frohttps://www25.senado.leg.br/web/atividade/materias/-/materia/153918
Cameron, D., & Simeon, R. (2002). Intergovernmental relations in Canada: The emergence of collaborative federalism [Article]. Publius, 32, 49+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A91567218/AONE?u=capes&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=6a7d72b2
Canada, G. (2020, 10/03/2024). Zero plastic waste initiative. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-funding/programs/zero-plastic-waste-initiative.html
CBC. (2022). Illegal Canadian trash keeps ending up overseas. And the federal government won’t say who’s shipping it. CBC News ( Apr 20, 2022). https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/fifth-estate-recycling-1.6410657
Chen, Y.-C., & Lo, S.-L. (2016). Evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions for several municipal solid waste management strategies. Journal of Cleaner Production, 113, 606-612.
Circle Economy. (2019). The Circularity Gap Report 2019. Closing the Circularity Gap in a 9% World. https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/sites/default/files/circularity_gap_report_2019.pdf
Cosenza, J. P., Andrade, E. M. d., & Assunção, G. M. (2020). A circular economy as an alternative for Brazil’s sustainable growth: analysis of the National Solid Waste Policy. Revista de Gestao Ambiental e Sustentabilidade 9(1), 1-28.
Damgaard, A., Larsen, A. W., & Christensen, T. H. (2009). Recycling of metals: accounting of greenhouse gases and global warming contributions. Waste Management & Research, 27(8), 773-780.
DOI 10.1177/0734242x09346838
Demajorovic, J., & Massote, B. (2017). ACORDO SETORIAL DE EMBALAGEM: AVALIAÇÃO À LUZ DA RESPONSABILIDADE ESTENDIDA DO PRODUTOR. Revista de Administração de Empresas, 57
Di Foggia, G., & Beccarello, M. (2021). Designing waste management systems to meet circular economy goals: The Italian case. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 26, 1074-1083.
ECCC. (2019). Economic Study of the Canadian plastic industry, markets and waste. Summary Report to Environment and Climate Change Canada https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2019/eccc/En4-366-1-2019-eng.pdf
ECCC. (2022). 2030 Emissions reduction plan - Canada’s Next Steps for Clean Air and a Strong Economy https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2022/eccc/En4-460-2022-eng.pdf. Gatineau
ECCC. (2023). Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations - Overview. Gatineau Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/managing-reducing-waste/reduce-plastic-waste/single-use-plastic-overview.html
Elazar, D. J. (1987). Exploring Federalism. University of Alabama Press
Fang, B., Yu, J., Chen, Z. et al (2023). Artificial intelligence for waste management in smart cities: a review. Environ Chem Lett 21, 1959–1989.
DOI 10.1007/s10311-023-01604-3
Finer, M., Jenkins, C. N., Pimm, S. L., Keane, B., & Ross, C. (2008). Oil and Gas Projects in the Western Amazon: Threats to Wilderness, Biodiversity, and Indigenous Peoples. PLoS ONE, 3(8), e2932.
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0002932
Frey, K., Kontopp, M. A., Correa, A. M., Branco, L. G. d. A., & Oliveira, H. L. d. (2022). Política ambiental local na federação brasileira: Um desafio para a autonomia local. In K. Frey & L. N. Bittencourt (Eds.), Poder local, políticas públicas e relações federativas: o caso do ABC paulista (pp. 177-196). Editora CRV.Greaves, W. (2021). Climate change and security in Canada. International Journal, 76(2), 183-203.
DOI 10.1177/00207020211019325
Guha, R. (2016). Environmentalism: a global history. Penguin Random House
Guo, H., Xu, H., Liu, J., Nie, X., Li, X., Shu, T., . . . Yao, Y. (2022). Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Process of Landfill Disposal in China. Energies, 15(18), 6711. https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/18/6711
Gutberlet, J., Besen, G. R., & Morais, L. (2020). Participatory solid waste governance and the role of social and solidarity economy: experiences from São Paulo, Brazil. Detrius, 13, 167–180.
Head, B. W. (2022). Wicked Problems in Public Policy: Understanding and Responding to Complex Challenges. Springer International Publishing
Hochstetler, K. (2021a). Climate institutions in Brazil: three decades of building and dismantling climate capacity. Environmental Politics, 30(sup1), 49-70.
DOI 10.1080/09644016.2021.1957614
Hochstetler, K. (2021b). O meio ambiente no governo Bolsonaro. In L. Avritzer, F. Kerche, & M. Marona (Eds.), Governo Bolsonaro. Retrocesso democrático e degradação política (pp. 271-285). Autêntica
Howlett, M., & Migone, A. (2019). Over-promising and under-delivering: the Canadian policy style of punctuated gradualism. In M. Howlett & J. Tosun (Eds.), Policy styles and policy-making: exploring the linkages (pp. 137-156). Routledge
IPCC. (2014). Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team, R.K. Pachauri and L.A. Meyer (eds.)]. https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/SYR_AR5_FINAL_full.pdf
IPCC. (2019). Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, Volume 5 Waste, Calvo Buendia, E., Tanabe, K., Kranjc, A., Baasansuren, J., Fukuda, M., Ngarize S., Osako, A., Pyrozhenko, Y., Shermanau, P. and Federici, S. (eds).
IPCC. (2022). Climate Change 2022. Impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability. Summary for Policymakers. IPCC WGII Sixth Assessment Report. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/
Jordaan, S. M., Davidson, A., Nazari, J. A., & Herremans, I. M. (2019). The dynamics of advancing climate policy in federal political systems. Environmental Policy and Governance, 29(3), 220-234.
Kaza, S., Yao, L. C., Bhada-Tata, P., & Van Woerden, F. (2018). What a Waste 2.0 : A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050. World Bank. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/30317
Lausselet, C., Cherubini, F., Oreggioni, G. D., del Alamo Serrano, G., Becidan, M., Hu, X., . . . Strømman, A. H. (2017). Norwegian Waste-to-energy: Climate change, circular economy and carbon capture and storage. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 126, 50-61.
Lederman, W. R. (1975). Unity and Diversity in Canadian Federalism: Ideals and Methods of Moderation. The Canadian Bar Review, 53(3)
Lee, E.-Y., & Khan, A. (2020). Prevalence and Clustering Patterns of Pro-Environmental Behaviors among Canadian Households in the Era of Climate Change. Sustainability, 12(19), 8218. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/19/8218
Lee RP, Seidl LG, Huang Q-l, Meyer B (2021) An analysis of waste gasification and its contribution to China’s transition towards carbon neutrality and zero waste cities. J Fuel Chem Technol 49:1057–1076.
DOI 10.1016/S1872-5813(21)60093-2
Lepawsky, J. (2022). Mapping chemical discardscapes of electronics production. Geoforum, 132, 113-124.
Malinauskaite, J., Jouhara, H., Czajczyńska, D., Stanchev, P., Katsou, E., Rostkowski, P., . . . Spencer, N. (2017). Municipal solid waste management and waste-to-energy in the context of a circular economy and energy recycling in Europe. Energy, 141, 2013-2044.
Martinez-Alier, J. (2002). The Environmentalism of the Poor: A Study of Ecological Conflicts and Valuation. Edward Elgar
MMA. (2022). Plano Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos - Planares; coordenação de André Luiz Felisberto França... [et. al.]. – : MMA, 2022. Brasília, DF: MMA
Myers, G. (2014). The politics and technologies of urban waste. In S. Parnell & S. Oldfield (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook on Cities of the Global South (pp. 448-458). Routledge
Network, B. A. (2023). Canada Export Data. https://www.ban.org/plastic-waste-project-hub/trade-data/canada-export-data
Nogueira Zon, J. L., Jacobsen Leopoldino, C., Yamane, L. H., & Ribeiro Siman, R. (2020). Waste pickers organizations and municipal selective waste collection: Sustainability indicators. Waste Management, 118, 219-231.
O’Neill, K. (2019). Linking wastes and climate change: Bandwagoning, contention, and global governance. WIREs Climate Change, 10(2), e568.
Observatório do Clima. (2023). Análise das emissões de efeito estufa e suas implicações para as metas climáticas do Brasil 1970-2021. https://www.oc.eco.br/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/SEEG-10-anos-v4.pdf”https://www.oc.eco.br/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/SEEG-10-anos-v4.pdf
Pisano, V., Demajorovic, J., & Besen, G. R. (2022). The Brazilian National Solid Waste Policy: perspectives of the waste pickers’ cooperative networks. Ambiente & Sociedade, 25
Pollans, L. B. (2021). Resisting garbage: The politics of waste management in American cities. . University of Texas Press
Reyna-Bensusan, N., Wilson, D. C., & Smith, S. R. (2018). Uncontrolled burning of solid waste by households in Mexico is a significant contributor to climate change in the country. Environmental Research, 163, 280-288.
Sayers, A. M., & Banfield, A. C. (2013). The evolution of federalism and executive power in Canada and Australia. In A. Benz & J. Broschek (Eds.), Federal Dynamics: Continuity, Change, and the Varieties of Federalism (pp. 185-205). Oxford University Press
Schertzer, R. (2020). Intergovernmental Relations in a Complex Federation. In H. Bakvis & G. Skogstad (Eds.), Canadian Federalism: Performance, Effectiveness, and Legitimacy (pp. 165-191). University of Toronto Press
Souza, C., & Fontanelli, F. (2021). Antídotos institucionais do federalismo brasileiro: a covid-19 mudou a dinâmica federativa? In L. Avritzer, F. Kerche, & M. Marona (Eds.), Governo Bolsonaro: retrocesso democrático e degradação política. Autêntica Editora
Souza, C. M. d. (2019). Coordenação, uniformidade e autonomia na formulação de políticas públicas: experiências federativas no cenário internacional e nacional. Cadernos de Saúde Pública [online], 35, e00046818.
Stahli, S., Azoulay, D., & Khan, S. (2023). Bolder action is needed from Canada to prevent global plastic waste dumping. Policy Options(December 15, 2023). https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/december-2023/plastic-dumping
TCU. (2016). Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos. Relatório de Levantamento – Análise da forma da institucionalização e normatização da PNRS. http://portal.tcu.gov.br/lumis/portal/file/fileDownload.jsp?fileId=8A8182A2578C7A7601579A2D6D0C1BF8
UNEP. (2022). The Closing Window. Climate crisis calls for rapid transformation of societies. Emissions Gap Report 2022. https://www.unep.org/emissions-gap-report-2022
UNEP/ISWA. (2015). Global Waste Management Outlook. https://www.unep.org/resources/report/global-waste-management-outlook
UNEP/UN-Habitat. (2021). Global Environment for Cities-GEO for Cities: Towards Green and Just Cities. UNEP
Watts, R. L. (2006). Origins of Cooperative and Competitive Federalism. In S. L. Greer (Ed.), Territory, Democracy and Justice: Regionalism and Federalism in Western Democracies (pp. 201-233). Palgrave Macmillan
Williams, J. P., Ars, S., Vogel, F., Regehr, A., & Kang, M. (2022). Differentiating and Mitigating Methane Emissions from Fugitive Leaks from Natural Gas Distribution, Historic Landfills, and Manholes in Montréal, Canada. Environmental Science & Technology, 56(23), 16686-16694.
DOI 10.1021/acs.est.2c06254
Wilson, D.C., Filho, C.S. and Ramola, A. (2023). The significant potential of better waste and resource management for climate mitigation. Waste Management World, 27 November. https://waste-management-world.com/recycling/the-significant-potential-of-better-waste-and-resourcemanagement-for-climate-mitigation/. Accessed 26 January 2024
Wu, X., Ramesh, M., & Howlett, M. (2018). Policy Capacity: Conceptual Framework and Essential Components. In X. Wu, M. Howlett, & M. Ramesh (Eds.), Policy Capacity and Governance: Assessing Governmental Competences and Capabilities in Theory and Practice (pp. 1-25). Palgrave Macmillan.
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-54675-9
Yang, M., Chen, L., Wang, J. et al. Circular economy strategies for combating climate change and other environmental issues (2023). Environ Chem Lett 21, 55–80.
DOI 10.1007/s10311-022-01499-6”
Yifei Ma; Pin-Jing He; Fan Lü and Hua Zhang. Cycle of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Plants in China, ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2024.
DOI 10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c02324
Zero Waste Europe (2020). Achieving the EU’s waste targets: Zero waste cities showcasing how to go above and beyond what is required. July 2020. https://zerowasteeurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/zero_waste_europe_policy-briefing_achieving-the-eu’s-waste-targets.pdf Accessed 16.05.2023