Benefits and barriers of public transparency in Rural Environmental Registry data

Abstract Public transparency is important for society to increase confidence in public authorities, democratically participate in decisions, and monitor governmental actions related to environmental control. This study aimed to analyze the benefits and problems/risks associated with information disclosure about private land conservation in the context of the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR, its Portuguese acronym). A systematic review about public transparency in private land conservation was performed. The selected articles went through Content Analysis, resulting in lists with public transparency benefits and problems, which based the questionnaires applied to CAR stakeholders. The main problem identified was the landowners’ fear of declared information use, while the main benefit was the contribution to the effectiveness of conservation programs. Thus, the social function of private property justifies the hierarchical disclosure of information.