Public participation in environmental impact assessment processes through various channels – Can you listen to us now? Lessons from a Brazilian mining case

Public participation in Environmental Impact Assessment processes is generally considered to be one of the main safeguards of ensuring access to information and democratization of decision-making processes regarding environmental issues. However, implementation is spotty. Studies highlight problems found within formal processes and so actors also turn to informal channels and other formal channels outside of the EIA process to achieve goals. While most research points to the role of collusion between industry and government (often to the detriment of the environment), civil society actors similarly use other channels (informal and formal outside of the EIA) to influence formal processes in the EIA to help realize improved environmental outcomes. Less is known however about how these channels interact – can they play a complementary role?…