Análise da abordagem do meio socioeconômico nos estudos de impacto ambiental de empreendimentos de energia fotovoltaica na Paraíba

Abstract

The generation of energy from renewable sources has gained global prominence as an alternative for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate crises. In Brazil, solar photovoltaic energy has been expanding due to high solar irradiation rates, especially in the state of Paraíba. Since 2020, the expansion of this activity in the region has led to changes in land use and regional socioeconomic dynamics. As potentially polluting activities, the implementation of solar power plants requires environmental licensing, which demands the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). However, the low quality of some studies may compromise the effectiveness of the licensing process. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the approach to the socioeconomic environment in the EIAs of photovoltaic projects licensed in Paraíba, seeking to identify advances and gaps in the representativeness of this component. This descriptive and documentary study analyzed the EIAs of the five largest photovoltaic enterprises filed with Paraíba Environmental Administration Superintendence (SUDEMA), between 2020 and 2023. The analysis focused on the definition of areas of influence, the methodology used for diagnosing the socioeconomic environment and community perceptions, the identification of environmental impacts, the assessment of cumulative and synergistic effects, and the mitigation measures and environmental programs proposed. The EIAs showed similar criteria for defining areas of influence but varied in the depth of social aspects addressed. Socioeconomic diagnoses relied mostly on secondary data and in-person interviews, with methodological clarity limitations. Impacts were found to be predominantly negative, concentrated in the implementation phase, and more significant in areas with higher social density. The decommissioning phase and cumulative effects analysis were rarely addressed. The number of mitigation measures and environmental programs was related to the complexity of the surroundings, with some being objective and others lacking clarity. Despite having a structured format, the programs showed gaps in defining methodologies and monitoring indicators. It is concluded that, despite some progress, EIAs for solar plants in Paraíba still present methodological weaknesses and low representativeness of the socioeconomic context. The level of commitment to local realities varies. There is a need for more detailed guidelines to ensure more effective studies that are integrated into the social context