MATURIDADE EM GESTÃO AMBIENTAL: REVISITANDO AS MELHORES PRÁTICAS

ABSTRACT

This study aims to assess the fundaments and challenges of the environmental management in companies located in the state of Goias that use the best practices. This Brazilian state had a strong economic growth in the last four decades but concerns about environment did not catch as much attention. The assessment was based on maturity models available in the literature which classify organizational competence in environmental management by stages evolving from inexperience toplain knowledge. Thefield workincluded an investigation using three case studies in industries of relevance in Central Brazil: mining, beverage and sugar-alcohol. The main evidences accessed in the case studies were interviews with key participants, internal documents and publications. Some companies were not predisposed to open up information about environmental management, which was understandable because the issue involves delicate questions like the relationship of an organization and its environment. Those companies that were willing to cooperate indicated they had no conformity problems and were selected to be studied here. The results showed that companies with high degree of environmental management maturity incorporate to their practices good planning and dedicated structure combined with rigorous international standards as reference.

Key-Words:
Environmental Management; Environmental Impacts; Environmental Maturity