Speaker
Description
Addressing climate governance in Brazil presents a significant challenge due to institutional and political barriers that hinder the implementation of adaptation projects. These challenges include a lack of institutional capacity at the local level and difficulties in integrating sectoral policies. In the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area (RJMA), which comprises 22 municipalities, only two have a Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Plan. Despite the absence of official policies or plans for adapting to climate change, local social movements have taken the lead, advocating for better housing conditions and environmental preservation. This article analyzes social mobilization for environmental protection and climate change adaptation through a case study in Duque de Caxias, one of the RJMA municipalities, showcasing a community-driven project to prevent floods—an essential aspect of climate change adaptation.
Duque de Caxias features a terrain of plains with rugged hills and steep slopes. Its major river basins are characterized by torrents on the slopes that become depositional on the plains, resulting in floods during heavy rains. The municipality struggles with outdated urban planning—its 2006 master plan remains unchanged—and uncontrolled urban occupation of environmentally fragile areas. Although laws prohibit real estate development in these areas, informal settlements often emerge due to the lack of social housing policies that meet the needs of low-income families. The combination of informal occupation in riverbanks and increasingly intense rainfall exacerbates the frequency of flooding episodes.
Duque de Caxias does not have a climate change adaptation plan. As noted by Wannewitz and Garschagen (2023), adapting to climate change is an increasing challenge for local communities, particularly in areas with limited formal adaptation policies, such as marginalized informal settlements. The authors argue that successful adaptation requires collaborative efforts, known as collaborative adaptation. In Duque de Caxias, local social movements advocating for environmental and housing rights have begun addressing climate change issues, embodying the principles of collaborative adaptation.
One of the primaries focuses of these movements is the preservation of Campo do Bomba. This area was originally part of the São Bento Protected Area (APA São Bento), created in 1997 due to its ecological importance and role in flood regulation. However, in 2006, the municipal government removed Campo do Bomba from the protected area. In 2018, the mayor proposed a project for a logistics center in this still unoccupied area. In response, FORAS, a civil society organization comprising various social movements from Duque de Caxias, spearheaded resistance against the project.
FORAS organized three public hearings, bringing together residents, social movements, state deputies, and researchers to oppose the project. They also hosted online seminars with researchers and community members to explore alternatives that would preserve the area's ecological value. A consensus emerged to propose the creation of a state park. This initiative culminated in a state bill proposal supported by multiple state deputies.
In collaboration with FORAS, a group of scholars from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro developed a "sponge park" project for the Campo do Bomba area, combining scientific research with community-based solutions. The proposal was discussed in several meetings with residents. Local leaders have worked to disseminate the project via social media and present it to public officials. The state government’s environmental agency endorsed the project as a viable solution to the area’s flooding problems and a potential leisure space for the population.
This case study highlights the potential of collective adaptation, driven by civil society, to strengthen local climate change adaptation efforts
References
Wannewitz, M, Garschagen,M (2023). Collective adaptation to climate change, Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 61:101248.
| Keywords | climate adaptation, social movements, floods, Duque de Caxias |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
