Gestão ambiental – NBR ISO 14001: estudo em empresas certificadas no Estado da Paraíba.

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation is to understand the scenario of companies in the state of Paraíba certified by NBR ISO 14001, seeking to know the main characteristics of each one regarding the application of the standard. For this, the companies that had the certification were detected. Two organizations, the Verdegreen Hotel and the Cristal Mineradora, were located and authorized to carry out the study. The theoretical basis, first, was backed by the contextualization with the theme Sustainable Development and Sustainability, then Environmental Management and Corporate Environmental Management, Environmental Management System NBR ISO 14001 were also addressed. In methodological terms, the research is characterized as being qualitative, descriptive and conducted in the form of a case study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews (with two individuals, one coordinator and another analyst) and non-participant observation. The results show the general characteristics of each company, the motivations of the implementation of ISO 14001, the main environmental practices adopted in each company, the benefits and difficulties encountered in the process of implementing ISO 14001 and a comparative one, showing divergences and convergences. It was found that the two companies are informed about the intensity of their impacts on the environment. Finally, in spite of the difference in the type of sector in which they act and of different damages caused to the environment, we observed in both enterprises activities practiced in common and proactive approach to deal with the environmental challenges.