The Sustainability in Debate (SiD) Journal aims to publish original texts based on interdisciplinary research and influencing studies conducted in sustainable development and sustainability policies globally.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Sustainability in Debate http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Denialism as a political force and sustainability setbacks
Community-organised disaster response to the 2019 Northeast Brazil Oil Spill in small-scale fishing territories in Bahia, Brazil
The 2019 Northeast Brazil Oil Spill represents an opportunity to observe small-scale fishing communities’ disaster response capacity and identify opportunities to improve resilience. With a delayed and disjointed national government response, many communities organised clean-up activities and other actions. A mixed-methods study including a questionnaire (n=168) and semi-structured interviews (n=11) was conducted in two municipalities in Bahia to analyse the disaster response. 66.1% (111/168) of the questionnaire respondents participated in clean-up efforts, with greater participation in the community, with more fishing trade associations and government support. The rapid mobilisation of these volunteer efforts was a positive indicator of resilience, although fishers’ involvement puts them at risk for health consequences. Risk management, access to materials, and emergency literacy were weaknesses in the disaster response. While government management and ownership are needed during acute disasters, partnerships with fishing communities could serve to enhance disaster resilience due to their pre-existing organisational structures and demonstrated willingness to volunteer as first responders.
Climate dialogues and adaptive management: interventions for an experiential learning space in Novo Airão (AM), Amazon Region
Climate change intensifies extreme events in the Amazon Region, including droughts and floods, which affect its local socio-ecological systems and increase local challenges and uncertainties. Experiential learning is an assumption in adaptive management that seeks to address information gaps and contribute to adjustments in the management process in response to uncertainties, increasing the adaptive capacity of socio-ecological systems. This paper presents the results of an action research study that aimed to promote reflexive thinking and understand the experiential learning process under the climate challenges in the Amazon Region. The study conducted participatory workshops with public administration actors, private sector actors, scholars, and civil society in the municipality of Novo Airão, located in the Amazonas state (AM). We employed dialogical approaches and knowledge-building during the participatory workshops, integrating local, technical, and scientific knowledge. The oriented interaction among actors and the use of these methodological tools allowed us to identify risk areas and vulnerabilities and propose actions from a local perspective. This process indicated that spaces for dialogue strengthen the development of contextualised responses, and it highlights adaptive management as a strategy for addressing climate uncertainties.
Recommendations for a sustainable food guide for the Brazilian population: consensus among experts
This study aimed to develop recommendations for a sustainable dietary guide for the Brazilian population. Using a qualitative methodology and the Delphi technique, the research was conducted in two phases: a literature review and expert evaluation. Initially, 23 recommendations were proposed, addressing food production, origin, processing, consumption habits, and resource conservation. In the second phase, 17 experts rated each recommendation's importance and feasibility. All recommendations were accepted (mean score > 3.5), with the highest ratings for proper waste disposal, recyclable packaging, and food waste reduction. Recommendations like consuming foods from sustainable systems and self-cultivation were deemed less feasible. The findings support the development of public policies and dietary guidelines that align with the Sustainable Development Goals. Current guidelines rarely integrate economic, social, and environmental sustainability. This study helps fill that gap by offering a structured framework for promoting healthy and sustainable eating habits in Brazil.
Necropolitics of winds: social determination of mental health in the face of exposure to wind power enterprises in rural communities of Pernambuco
The implementation of wind farms produces transformations in and around communities, causing diverse impacts in multiple areas, revealing vulnerability processes. This research aimed to understand these processes in rural communities in Pernambuco, Brazil, due to these projects. This quantitative and qualitative action research was conducted through semi-structured interviews, with health assessments using instruments, tests, and audiometry. We adopted content analysis to analyse the data and strengthen the struggle of these communities. To understand this persistent backdrop of violence, the research employs necropolitics as per Achille Mbembe (2020) and the social determination of health, as per Jaime Breilh (2006, 2013). We observed that the arrival and operation of wind turbines coincided with the emergence and deterioration of health signs and symptoms, especially mental health. Therefore, caution is urgently needed when planning and building wind farms, as such health problems can be temporary or permanent, leading the local community to constant distress and even a lack of will to live.
Housing Deficit Index (HDI) in Brazil: analysis based on the 2022 Census Data
This study analyses the Housing Deficit Index (HDI) in Brazil based on data from the 2022 Demographic Census. The index incorporates indicators of inadequate access to water supply, sanitation, and solid waste management. A cross-sectional ecological design was applied, using descriptive statistics, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients, and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results show significant regional and urban-rural disparities, with the worst housing conditions concentrated in the North and Northeast regions. The HDI was strongly correlated with the Municipal Human Development Index (MHDI) and moderately associated with the Brazilian Deprivation Index (IBP). In addition, municipalities classified as more deprived exhibited significantly higher proportions of non-white populations, reinforcing the relationship between housing precariousness and structural racial inequality. The HDI proved to be a robust and replicable tool for monitoring housing deprivation, offering support for territorialised public policies aimed at reducing socio-spatial and racial disparities in access to basic infrastructure.
Transparency in sustainability reporting: a case study of Natura Cosméticos S.A. on the practice of voluntary disclosure
Sustainability reports stand out as key communication tools for environmental, social, and economic issues with stakeholders, meeting the demands of a market to integrate environmental considerations into organisational practices. The objective of this research is to analyse the level of transparency in sustainability reports and the reliability of information in Natura Cosméticos S.A.'s annual disclosures. This research is classified as exploratory qualitative and incorporates an analysis of documents by examining Natura Cosméticos S.A.'s sustainability reports from 2020 to 2023. The results reveal a selectivity of information, prioritising optimistic disclosures to favour the company's self-image and the maintenance of its social contract. This research contributes to scientific advancement in the field of environmental management and encourages interdisciplinary studies focused on legitimate transparency.
Agrobiodiversity and resource supply to pollinators in agroforests in the Vale do Ribeira region, São Paulo
Agroforests are productive systems that can be managed with high species richness and based on practices that favour essential ecological interactions, imitating the functioning of forest ecosystems. To verify the agrobiodiversity managed in agroforests and the supply of floral resources to pollinators, this research was conducted with 20 family farmers who manage agroforests in nine municipalities in the Vale do Ribeira region, São Paulo. Through the guided tour, a great wealth of species and varieties was identified, around 350 in total. In the agroforests visited, the number of managed species varied from 25 to 93, with the best coverage of flowering species being from farmers who are already beekeepers. Among the managed species, there is a high number of native species from the Atlantic Forest Biome and food plants, which reinforces the potential of agroforests for the ethnoconservation of biodiversity and food and nutritional security. Furthermore, approximately 71% of the species are honey-producing, confirming the capacity of agroforests to provide food resources to pollinators. Considering that agroforestry stands out as an important strategy for promoting socio-environmental benefits and adapting to climate change, the results of this study reaffirm its potential in facing challenges and fulfilling commitments linked to sustainable development at a global level.
Sustainable tourism on Instagram: insights from Hispanic centennials
This study examines sustainable tourism representation on Instagram through #turismosostenible and #turismosustentable, focusing on Spanish-speaking users and posts from 2023. Content analysis reveals a strong emphasis on environmental conservation and sustainable practices, predominantly showcased through natural landscapes and informational content. User-generated content, especially personal photos, dominates the narrative, highlighting the role of grassroots storytelling. However, cultural heritage, community engagement, and certified destinations are notably underrepresented, signalling opportunities to diversify sustainability narratives. Rural and peak-season tourism are the most prominent, while off-peak travel and urban green spaces receive less attention. The limited participation of official tourism boards and non-governmental organisations suggests the need for more robust institutional involvement. This research provides insights into leveraging social media to promote inclusive and impactful sustainability communication, offering practical recommendations to enhance digital strategies.
SDG 12.2 - Responsible Consumption and Production
Assessment of socio-environmental sustainability and resilience in a rural settlement in Southeast Pará, Amazon
The study conducted at the Castanhal Araras Settlement Project in São João do Araguaia, Pará, Brazil, assessed socio-environmental sustainability using a mixed methods approach. The research was grounded in diagnostic analysis of agrarian systems and the Framework for the Assessment of Natural Resource Management Systems Incorporating Sustainability Indicators (Mesmis). Data collection involved field notes, interviews, photographic records and participant observation. The results indicated a ‘compromised’ level of sustainability in both the social (score: 37) and environmental (score: 39) dimensions. On the social front, strengths included the use of family labour and a generally satisfactory quality of life. However, there were notable challenges regarding access to water, social inclusion, and community participation. Environmentally, while positive practices like diversified livelihoods and partial conservation efforts were present, they were offset by issues like pesticide use, soil compaction, the use of fire and extensive cattle ranching. Resilience was observed through the adoption of agroforestry systems and resourcefulness in agricultural practices. To address these challenges, it is essential to strengthen environmental education, enhance community engagement, and promote sustainable land management practices.
Resolution No. 507/2024 of the Brazilian National Environmental Council: the discourses present in its drafting process
Given that conceptions about sustainable forest management (SFM) are shaped by discourses that propose different "world views", we characterise, based on discourse theory, the discourses and narratives present in the drafting process of Resolution No. 507/2024 of the Brazilian National Environmental Council, aimed at regulating the SFM of the Caatinga. The production of the Resolution was marked by discourses and coalitions that propose alternative and, to some extent, contrasting narratives about institutional action related to forest governance and SFM, as well as to the sustainable exploitation of forest resources. The dominance of the administrative simplification discourse reflects an imbalance of power and the consolidation of a “technical-bureaucratic” approach to forest management and SFM. However, it was widely understood that SFM could enable the transition beyond forest extractivism, establishing itself as a forestry policy essential for ensuring the sustainability of the Caatinga.
Sustainability, democracy and knowledge: interdependence under attack
Impacts of mining on the residential rental market in Ouro Preto, Brazil
The impact of mining on residential rents is a significant concern in mining regions. This study examined the impact of negative externalities from mining companies Vale and Samarco on rental prices in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, in 2023. To achieve the proposed objective, a hedonic pricing model was estimated. The results showed that the closer a property is to mining activities, the lower its rental value, indicating a depreciation of real estate values. The conclusions suggest that mining externalities affect the local real estate market, which is relevant for the creation of public policies that balance economic development and the mitigation of the negative impacts of mining.
Has there been a weakening of environmentalism in Brazil
The article aims to discuss negative trends in environmentalism in Brazil over recent decades, particularly within civil society. The main research techniques employed are document analysis and the analysis of secondary data. The primary sources include the World Values Survey (WVS), Google Trends, and records of the creation of Brazilian parliamentary fronts. The findings indicate that Brazil has experienced: a decline in public confidence in the environmental movement; a decrease in the proportion of the population holding membership in environmental organisations; a drop in Google searches related to environmental topics; and reduced electoral success of environmentalist candidates. The discussion highlights that among the causes of this weakening of environmentalism in Brazil are the success of the anti-environmental movement and a shift in social priorities due to economic, political, and public health circumstances. It is also emphasised that these societal trends form part of the contextual backdrop that helps explain the dismantling of environmental policy in Brazil during the Bolsonaro administration (2019–2022).
Brazilian adolescents' dietary environmental footprints: a cross-sectional study with data from the National Students’ Health Survey, 2015
This study aimed to analyse Brazilian adolescents' dietary environmental sustainability indicators and their associations with socioeconomic factors and nutritional status. This is a cross-sectional study using data from Brazilian adolescents (11-19 years old) from the 2015 National Students’ Health Survey. Estimates were made of the environmental footprints of adolescents' diets, including water, ecological, and carbon footprints. Secondary variables were socioeconomic and nutritional status. Correspondence analyses were used to estimate the associative models between the secondary variables and the quintiles of each environmental footprint. The means of the carbon, water, and ecological footprints for the Brazilian adolescents' diet were, respectively, 1206 gCO2 eq/kg (95%CI: 1192-1219), 2760 liters/kg (95%CI: 2730-2789), and 8.07 g-m2/kg (95%CI: 7.99-8.16). The lowest quintiles of the environmental footprints of food analysed were associated with dietary patterns characterised by a higher presence of ultra-processed foods and living in more urbanised areas.
Digitalisation and sustainability convergence: leveraging artificial intelligence capabilities to enhance agri-food value chains' sustainability in Africa
The convergence of digitalisation and sustainability offers transformative potential for Africa's agri-food value chains. By employing structural equation modelling, this paper investigates the convergence of digitalisation and sustainability in Africa's agri-food value chains, including the mediating role of agri-food supply chain resilience. The critical role that Artificial Intelligence plays in enhancing food supply chain resilience in Africa is at the core of this study. This study employs a deductive research approach to achieve the research objective, drawing on established theories to guide the development of the conceptual model and hypotheses. The results underline the importance of AI-driven initiatives such as Farmers’ Yield Optimization, Food Retail Demand Prediction, Real-time Data Analysis, and Enhanced Supply Chain Administration in strengthening the resilience of agri-food supply chains. These findings suggest that investing in resilience-building measures can generate long-term benefits for the stability and sustainability of agri-food systems.
The role of narratives in the Brazilian environmental arenas
Environmental issues rank among the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. This article explores the complementarity between the theoretical and methodological approaches of Political Arenas and Narratives in addressing conflicts and decision-making processes related to environmental issues. To this end, we conducted an extensive literature review and a qualitative analysis of research produced within the Postgraduate Programs in Social Sciences and Environment and Society at the University of Campinas (Unicamp). Our objective was to operationalise both concepts and assess how these approaches contribute to structuring academic inquiry. The findings suggest that identifying the functions of narratives within political arenas helps to uncover the complexity and contradictions inherent in socio-environmental dynamics. We conclude that addressing environmental challenges requires acknowledging multiple perspectives and social tensions to foster transformative action. This study underscores the importance of interdisciplinary and qualitative methodologies for understanding the social dimensions of environmental issues.
Socio-environmental projections of lithium exploitation in Puno: configuration of the social territory by the lithiferous activity in Peru by 2024
The study aims to identify key socio-environmental considerations for the strategic management of lithium in Peru, with a focus on the spatial configuration of the territory. This is a qualitative research study that observed concerns in some Puno communities about the impacts on their economic activities and daily lives, as well as about pollution and uneven benefits for the areas of influence. Direct interactions with the project owner, due to the state’s insufficient institutional capacity, were identified through interviews with its agents. By comparing this information with documentary and theoretical material, policy recommendations can be developed to focus on the specification of the regulatory framework, expansion of participation, and analysis of similar experiences.
Medication disposal: knowledge and practices of primary health care users in the municipality of Araçatuba, State of São Paulo, South-eastern Brazil
Our aim was to obtain information from users regarding the disposal location for unused or expired household medications. A descriptive, cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted with 451 patients from primary health care centres in Araçatuba, SP, Brazil. The respondents answered a pre- validated questionnaire, composed of objective questions. For data analysis, we used the chi-square association test and chi-square with Yates’ correction, with a significance level of 5%. Age is associated with the location chosen to dispose of medications, while receiving guidance on the correct place modifies certain disposal habits, with 95% confidence. Most people believe that improper disposal of medications can cause harm to the environment and to human and animal health; however, the most common way to dispose of medications is to throw them in the household waste. Consumer knowledge and practices regarding medication disposal need to be improved.
Assessment of hegemonic and peripheral healthcare systems: a methodological proposal
Applied research conducted with some traditional populations has served as the methodological foundation for the social interaction system (SIS) model, which seeks to contrast the hegemonic market system with peripheral socioenvironmental systems. The aim is to check whether the methodology of this model can be extrapolated to the healthcare system. The theoretical framework on peripheral modernity, hegemony, and subalternity serves as a foundation for analysing the historical contexts in which alternative healthcare experiences take place. Arguments from authors who question the hegemonic healthcare system help explore viable alternatives. This raises the question of whether the SIS model can effectively interpret the limitations and potentialities of different health systems, particularly analysing whether the hegemonic and alternative systems can coexist as hybrid systems and what essential conditions underpin such coexistence. Moreover, some of the key limitations and obstacles are discussed, and suggestions are given to enhance communication among different healthcare systems.
Hegemonic and peripheral healthcare systems
Barriers to dialogue in healthcare systems
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Multitemporal analysis and mapping of land use changes caused by sugar cane expansion in the State of São Paulo, Southeast of Brazil
The change in land use and land cover caused by the expansion of sugar cane in a part of the State of São Paulo between 1988 and 2016 was mapped. The mapping was done automatically using orbital imagery from the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite and by manual delimitation of polygons. During the period under study, sugarcane areas more than doubled, expanding by 1.2 million hectares, mainly over pasture, annual crops and citrus. Faced with a shortage of land, the sugar energy sector must increase productivity, but in a sustainable way. To meet this challenge, in addition to increasing productivity per hectare, the sector must expand integrated agricultural practices and promote the conservation of native vegetation. Maps generated from large-scale classification of satellite image time series provide a more detailed understanding of land use dynamics and provide valuable input for land use planning policies.
Guilherme Amorim Ventriche Favero da Silva
Application of the Pressure-State-Impact-Response model for urban mobility analysis in João Pessoa
Urban mobility poses a significant challenge for urban management, particularly in light of the rapid growth dynamics of cities. Inefficient mobility systems in urban centres adversely affect quality of life while generating significant socioeconomic and environmental consequences. This study evaluates the applicability of the GEO Cities model indicators for urban mobility analysis as a municipal decision-making tool. Employing the Pressure-State-Impact-Response (PSIR) framework, we conducted exploratory-descriptive research in João Pessoa, Paraíba’s capital. Our analysis identified 13 thematic indicators relevant to mobility phenomena within the study area. The developed methodology and indicator selection demonstrate transferability to other urban contexts.
Gold rush in West Africa: ecological and health impacts in the Bougouriba River sub-basin, Burkina Faso
In a context where artisanal gold mining is expanding rapidly in West Africa, particularly in Burkina Faso, the debate focuses on the positive and negative impacts of this activity on the environment and human beings. This article analyses the environmental changes, the ecological crisis, and the impacts on human health caused by gold panning in the Bougouriba River catchment area in the southwest of the country. To achieve this, a methodology was adopted that combined the collection, processing, and geospatial analysis of data collected from 100 people chosen at random from the various gold panning sites. The results show that the tools and chemicals used by gold miners cause almost irreversible damage to natural resources and create a risk of disease for the miners themselves, people living in the surrounding villages, and animals. Despite the perceptible harmful effects, gold panning is seen as a ‘necessary evil’ in this basin. The study suggests that the sector needs to be better supervised to reduce the negative impact on the environment and the health of gold miners and neighbouring communities.
gold rush. Bougouriba river sub-basin. ecological crisis. Environmental health impacts
Environmental footprints and eco-efficiency of food used in a hospital in Uruguay
The foods used to provide meals for communities cause different environmental impacts. This article aimed to identify the environmental impacts of environmental footprints and greenhouse gases (GHG) and calculate eco-efficiency (EE) according to the foods used by a food service at the Hospital de Clínicas (HC) in Montevideo. The foods purchased by the HC in 2021 and the first half of 2022 were evaluated. Of the list of 90 foods, 38 of them were responsible for more than 95% of the amount used. In the evaluation of the variables, eight foods of animal origin represented 33.3% of the total in kg and 52.3% of the economic value, and from 74% to 89.7% in terms of the footprints evaluated. The amount used and the place of origin of some foods directly influenced the GHG results found.
Food and sustainability: meat consumption and vegetarianism in Brazil and the United Kingdom
There is a growing literature on meat consumption and reduced meat diets, given the negative impacts of meat on the environment. However, much of the literature has focussed on global North countries, limiting cross-cultural generalisability and overlooking the role of cultural differences in motivating food choices. The present paper provides a cross-cultural comparison of the motivations for meat consumption and vegetarianism in Brazil and the United Kingdom. This was done by conducting a total of 63 semi-structured interviews with meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans in Brazil (n = 41) and the UK (n = 22). The data was analysed thematically and the findings were compared across the participant samples. The findings showed that meat consumption was similarly motivated and justified in each country through the 4 N’s of justification for meat consumption. However, participants’ experiences of reducing meat consumption varied between the two countries, influenced by distinct motivations, aversions, and constraints. In the UK, price served as a motivation for choosing meatless meals, whereas in Brazil it acted as a constraint to reducing meat consumption. Additionally, in the UK, disgust was identified as a significant aversion particularly towards eating parts of meat that visibly resembled the animal of origin — a sentiment not observed in the Brazilian sample. Lastly, while environmental concerns were not a primary reason for adopting a plant-based diet in either country, they often became a significant motivator for maintaining it after dietary change.