POLLUTION IN COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS: AN ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC POLICIES AND SDGS 6 AND 14

Abstract

Coastal environments are facing increasing pressure due to contamination from various sources, which threatens marine biodiversity and also the quality of life of communities. The coastal zone is extremely important in Brazil, where, on about 8 thousand kilometers of coast, a fifth of the country's population lives. The management of these contaminants, through public policies, is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 – Drinking water and sanitation and SDG 14 – Life below water. The present work proposes a bibliographic review on public policies for coastal regions in Brazil, seeking to address the management of maritime-estuarine pollution, the work in Environmental Education and Sanitation and SDGs 6 and 14. As of 2019, Brazil has demonstrated a growing commitment to the protection and sustainable management of coastal zones, through updated policies and new projects. Coastal environmental education in Brazil has advanced significantly with the implementation of educational programs in schools, community awareness initiatives and the growing use of digital technologies. The implementation of SDGs 6 and 14 in Brazil has advanced, with improvements in sanitation infrastructure, depollution projects and monitoring initiatives. However, challenges such as insufficient infrastructure, plastic and chemical pollution, and policy coordination still need to be addressed.