Environmental policy integration in local policies: the case of municipal urban policy council of Santo André, SP, Brazil

Abstract

Integration of environmental concerns into other policy areas is defined as the pursuit of environmental goals within policies other than environment-related. The aim of this study was to verify how the integration of environmental concerns occurs at the Urban Policy Council of Santo André, São Paulo. In order to do so, two instruments were used: the analysis of the Council´s legislation and interviews with Councilors. Thematic content analysis was used to treat data thus obtained. Results showed that environmental policy integration occurs at the legal level. We found different understandings regarding integration of environmental concerns and difficulties similar to those described in the literature. It was concluded that the process of integrating environmental concerns is still incipient, and that the councils represent a step forward in this matter.