Mitigation of Environmental Liabilities in Brazilian Companies: What Does This Have to Do With Compliance?

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the social and environmental policies implemented by the State-owned companies of the Union of Direct Control in the mitigation of environmental liabilities. Regarding the methodological procedures, it was characterized as a comparative study of the cross-section type. The research universe corresponds to the state-owned companies in Mixed Economy Society of open capital of direct control of the Union, namely, Banco do Brasil, Eletrobrás, Petrobras, Banco da Amazônia and Banco do Nordeste. The data showed that the companies have social and environmental sustainability practices compatible with the market in which they operate. Not all companies define the environmentally adequate final disposal of solid waste. Only Eletrobrás and Petrobras have conditioning and compensation measures to mitigate environmental damage. Eletrobrás and Petrobras have environmental impact studies, technical notes for impact actions and Environmental Impact Reports. All companies have policies, requirements, and socio-environmental guidelines in their hiring processes, and have compliance programs in place. Although some of the elements that were checked were absent, it is evident from the literature that socio-environmental policies and actions allow companies to manage their risks, identify environmental liabilities related to their activities, from their hiring, project execution, supply of goods and services, and disposal of their solid waste.