Public Sector Social-environmental Diagnosis Model: application in a federal autarky, Rio de Janeiro

Abstract: The Brazilian public administration system has thousands of organizations and departments at federal, state, and municipal levels, distributed throughout the national territory. These conduct activities that can have significant social and environmental impacts. The present research aims to propose a sustainability index through the Public Sector Social-environmental Diagnosis Model (DISASP). This model is based on the Environmental Management Accounting System developed by researchers from the Federal University of Santa Catarina. The proposed model complements this system by including the guidelines of the Environmental Public Administration Agenda, a Ministry of the Environment program that encourages socio-environmental management practices in the government sector. The DISASP method was tested in a federal autarky in the city of Rio de Janeiro. For institutional diagnosis, seven managers were sent a questionnaire containing 124 questions with eight thematic axes: Rational Use of Natural Resources and Public Goods; Adequate Waste Management; Quality of Life in the Work Environment; Awareness and Training; Sustainable Public Procurement; Sustainable Construction; Social and Environmental Responsibility; and Institutional Management. A “weak” sustainability index was obtained, indicating the need for this sector to improve its socio-environmental performance. The study indicated that DISASP adequately fulfilled its role as an instrument for assessing socio-environmental practices in the public sector. Future studies should extend application of the DISASP method to the autarky under study at various points in time, as well as apply it to other public agencies.

摘要：巴西公共行政体系在联邦、州及市级层面设有数千个组织与部门，遍布全国各区域。此类机构开展的各类活动可产生显著的社会与环境影响。本研究旨在依托公共部门社会环境诊断模型（Public Sector Social-environmental Diagnosis Model，缩写DISASP），构建一套可持续性指标体系。该模型基于圣卡塔琳娜联邦大学研究者开发的环境管理会计系统（Environmental Management Accounting System）。本研究所提模型对该系统进行了扩充，纳入了环境公共管理议程的相关准则——该议程为巴西环境部推出的一项计划，旨在推动政府部门落实社会环境管理实践。研究人员在里约热内卢市的一家联邦自治机构内对DISASP方法开展了测试。在机构诊断环节，研究人员向7名管理人员发放了包含124个问题的调查问卷，问卷涵盖八大主题维度：自然资源与公共物品合理利用、废弃物规范管理、工作环境生活质量、意识培育与培训、可持续公共采购、可持续建设、社会与环境责任及机构管理。最终所得可持续性指数评级为“较弱”，表明该部门亟需提升其社会环境绩效。本研究证实，DISASP可充分发挥公共部门社会环境实践评估工具的职能。未来研究可将DISASP方法在本次研究涉及的公共自治机构中开展多时间节点应用，并将其推广至其他公共机构。