Impacto cumulativo da perda de vegetação após instalação de parques eólicos no Agreste de Pernambuco: uma análise no âmbito do licenciamento ambiental

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between post-industrial revolution socioeconomic development and the resulting energy demand, highlighting the limitations of the unsustainable use of natural resources. In response, the world is turning to renewable technologies to meet energy needs and mitigate environmental impacts, with Brazil seeking to strengthen energy security through a diversified and renewable electric matrix. Wind power, in particular, is gaining ground in the Brazilian Northeast, where wind conditions favor this type of energy. However, the expansion of wind farms raises concerns about cumulative environmental impacts, an underexplored area in environmental planning and management studies. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for licensing often does not address these cumulative effects due to obstacles such as lack of data, uncertainty of responsibilities, and institutional conflicts. This work aims to evaluate the approach to cumulative impacts in the environmental licensing of wind farms in the state of Pernambuco, using a methodology that includes the analysis of Terms of Reference and EIAs, along with documentary, bibliographic, and geoprocessing techniques. One specific focus is the loss of vegetation as a cumulative impact in areas with a high density of wind farms. The study proposes a new reference point for integrating cumulative impacts into EIAs for wind projects, enhancing the environmental management of these ventures