What Happened: The Report on Transparency in Tapajós Basin Works
A recent report by the Movimento Tapajós Vivo, in partnership with Transparência Internacional – Brasil, revealed that ten of the main infrastructure interventions in the Tapajós Basin have a very low level of public transparency. The study, titled “Corredor Logístico Tapajós-Xingu: Infraestrutura, Transparência e Governança”, evaluated the projects based on the methodology of the Guia Infraestrutura Aberta, by Transparência Internacional – Brasil, which measures the availability and quality of public information in all stages of the projects.
The research analyzed the interventions in different phases, including feasibility studies, hydrographic projects, dredging, navigation monitoring, and road works. Aspects related to planning, socio-environmental risks, licensing, hiring, execution, monitoring, and social participation mechanisms were evaluated, seeking to understand if the necessary information for monitoring the projects is effectively available to society.
Why It Matters: Socio-Environmental Risks and Public Governance
The report's results reveal a worrying scenario, with the ten analyzed interventions scoring an average of only 27.75 points on a scale of 0 to 100, indicating a low level of transparency. This means that the necessary information for monitoring the projects is not available to society, which can lead to significant socio-environmental risks, including negative impacts on biodiversity, water quality, and the health of local communities.
Furthermore, the lack of transparency can hinder social participation and informed decision-making, which is fundamental for effective public governance. The International Labour Organization's (ILO) Convention 169, which Brazil has signed, ensures the right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consultation (FPIC) for Indigenous Peoples and Traditional Communities potentially affected by infrastructure projects.
The Mechanism Behind Low Transparency: Fragmentation of Information and Lack of Centralization
The fragmentation of information in different public systems is one of the main reasons for the low transparency in Tapajós Basin works. This hinders access to data and reduces the chances of social control, making it more difficult for society to monitor and influence decisions about the projects.
Additionally, the lack of centralization of information in accessible platforms is another factor that contributes to low transparency. This means that information is dispersed in different sources, which can lead to confusion and hinder the understanding of the socio-environmental impacts of the projects.
Broad Context: The Importance of Transparency in Environmental Governance
Transparency is fundamental for effective environmental governance, as it allows society to monitor and influence decisions about projects that affect the environment. The lack of transparency can lead to significant socio-environmental risks, including negative impacts on biodiversity, water quality, and the health of local communities.
In the context of the Tapajós Basin, transparency is especially important due to the region's rich biodiversity and the presence of indigenous and traditional communities. The ILO's Convention 169 ensures the right to FPIC for these communities, which requires the availability of clear and accessible information about the projects that affect their lands and resources.
What's Next: Recommendations to Improve Transparency
To address the problem of low transparency in Tapajós Basin works, the report presents a set of recommendations for the agencies responsible for the projects and public administration. These include centralizing information in accessible platforms, greater transparency about technical and environmental studies, disclosure of documents related to licensing, strengthening social participation mechanisms, publicizing FPIC processes, and expanding information about project execution, monitoring, and results.
These recommendations are essential for qualifying public governance and ensuring that decisions about the projects are informed and transparent. Additionally, implementing these recommendations can contribute to reducing socio-environmental risks and promoting sustainability in the region.
Final Conclusions: The Importance of Transparency for Environmental Governance
The low transparency in Tapajós Basin works is a significant challenge for environmental governance in the region. The lack of clear and accessible information about the projects can lead to significant socio-environmental risks and hinder social participation and informed decision-making.
However, with the implementation of the recommendations presented in the report, it is possible to improve transparency and qualify public governance in the region. This requires the collaboration of all actors involved, including the agencies responsible for the projects, public administration, local communities, and civil society.
Source / Reference
Original URL: https://climainfo.org.br/2026/07/26/obras-na-bacia-do-tapajos-tem-baixa-transparencia-publica-mostra-relatorio/
Source Name: ClimaInfo