Environmental Efficiency of Municipalities in the Araguaia River Valley in The State of Mato Grosso, Brazil: An Approach Via Data Envelopment Analysis

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the environmental efficiency of municipalities located in the Araguaia River Valley, in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil, focusing on the relationship between economic development and sustainability, aiming to identify practices that promote the conservation of biodiversity and the reduction of environmental impacts. Theoretical Framework: The text addresses concepts of sustainable development and sustainability, highlighting important distinctions between them. It highlights the relevance of urban planning, in association with the Sustainable Development Goals, as a tool for including environmental factors in promoting environmental quality and the well-being of communities. In this sense, the rational use of natural resources appears to be a preponderant and essential factor in ensuring sustainability and promoting balanced development. Method: This is a qualitative and quantitative approach. The data were obtained through the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics website for the Gross Domestic Product variable and on the Terrabrasilis website for the deforestation variable, involving 25 municipalities in Mato Grosso, in the Araguaia river basin. Based on the data, the R software was used to process the information, using a mathematical model based on Data Envelopment Analysis. Results and Discussion: The results showed a low level of environmental efficiency in the VRS model, with average values ​​of 0.25762 (2017), 0.21655 (2018), 0.36978 (2019), 0.214396 (2020) and 0.28803 (2021). A minority of municipalities were highlighted in environmental efficiency, indicating that they are located on the DEA production frontier, pointing to a balance between environmental protection and economic growth. The success of the municipalities that stood out demonstrates the importance of planning, social mobilization and commitment, it is possible to reverse or minimize the scenario of environmental degradation. Research Implications: The study points to the need for public policies aimed at improving the environmental efficiencies of municipalities that showed lower performance, especially minimizing deforestation. Originality/Value: The originality of the study focuses on the importance of studies aimed at measuring environmental efficiency in the municipalities that make up the cerrado, highlighting the importance of preserving and conserving this biome.