A new law enacted in Brazil has raised alarms among environmentalists and human rights advocates, with a UN expert warning that it may lead to "significant environmental harm and human rights violations." Astrid Puentes Riaño, a UN special rapporteur, expressed concerns that the legislation represents a major "rollback" of decades of environmental safeguards, particularly affecting the Amazon rainforest.
The law, which was approved by lawmakers this month but awaits presidential approval, seeks to streamline the approval process for infrastructure projects, including roads, dams, and mining operations. Critics have labeled it the "devastation bill," cautioning that it could exacerbate environmental degradation and support rampant deforestation.
Supporters argue that simplifying environmental licenses will alleviate the bureaucratic burden on developers. Under the proposed measures, some projects could be self-registered online, reducing the need for extensive environmental assessments—a process critics deem reckless.
Riaño raised alarms about the potential for the new regulations to apply to mining initiatives and other activities that could severely impact the Amazon. She stressed the significance of comprehensive environmental assessments, warning that automatic license renewals could legitimize developments without thorough reviews.
Current estimates indicate that agricultural and mining activities—often illegal—are primary drivers of deforestation in the region. This law comes at a critical time, as new analyses reveal extensive Amazon forest loss attributed to drought and human activity in 2024.
As it stands, environmental agencies would have extended timelines to grant licenses for strategic projects, some potentially receiving approval by default if agencies fail to act in a given period. Supporters contend that this fosters business certainty, particularly for renewable energy initiatives, but critics worry it poses a threat to environmental integrity and Indigenous communities.
Additionally, the law seeks to scale back the mandatory consultation with Indigenous peoples unless they are directly impacted, which UN experts argue could infringe upon their rights.
Brazil's bipartisan Climate Observatory classified the bill as the most significant environmental rollback since the military regime, prompting fears that over 18 million hectares of protected land could lose safeguards under this legislative shift. The bill is awaiting a decision from President Lula da Silva, who is already under pressure from environmental ministers against its approval.
Meanwhile, critics are warning that this move could provoke legal battles, as it may violate constitutional rights to an ecologically sound environment. As Brazil approaches the COP30 climate summit, the decisions made regarding this law could have far-reaching implications for the Amazon and its vast ecosystems.
