Transition to sustainability: Assessing the challenges of the Brazilian environmental agenda and policy

Abstract

The Bolsonaro government has fueled a false and pernicious discursive contradiction between economic growth and environmental preservation. Environmentalists may have felt relieved by Lula's election; however, his government must now deal with a complex environmental agenda and the escalation of the discursive contradiction between those who perceive the environment as an exploitable resource and those who view it as a preservation-worthy asset. We present two interrelated alternatives to overcome the political, economic, and social challenges to consensus building. First, technology can contribute to promoting innovative methods for the sustainable exploitation of the Amazon. Second, the reconstruction of the institutional apparatus must incorporate other functions. In addition, to reinforce coordination, democratic participation, and democratic legitimacy, as well as suitably reduce the frequent prevalence of speech over practice, the government and society must address governance challenges. Consensus-building could bolster coalitions, improve governability, and play a pivotal role in advancing the sustainability agenda.