Earth Science News
FROTH AND BUBBLE
Brazil's Congress passes bill easing environmental licensing rules
Brazil's Congress passes bill easing environmental licensing rules
by AFP Staff Writers
Sao Paulo (AFP) July 17, 2025

Brazil's Congress passed a controversial reform loosening environmental licensing rules on Thursday, prompting backlash from environmentalists as the country prepares to host the COP30 climate summit in November.

The bill, backed by 267 lawmakers to 116, simplifies permits for "strategic" projects and allows some to proceed based solely on a declaration of commitment.

Despite seeking to make Brazil a leader in the fight against global warming, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva backs oil exploration as key to growth in Latin America's biggest economy.

Experts say the new measures could fast-track infrastructure development in the Amazon rainforest.

The bill was approved by the Senate in May. It must now be considered for enactment by Lula.

The measure has divided the president's left-wing government.

The Environment Ministry described it as a "fatal blow" to environmental protection, while the Agriculture Ministry backed it.

Supporters of the reform argued that it seeks to "streamline" the licensing process to boost the country's economy.

But Environment Minister Marina Silva said the fact that "something is of strategic interest to the government does not eliminate the environmental impacts".

Furthermore, environmental licensing "did not prevent the construction of any project in the country," said Rodrigo Agostinho, president of the Brazilian Institute of Environment (IBAMA) public watchdog.

IBAMA has announced it will challenge the law in court, arguing it is unconstitutional.

The Brazilian NGO network Climate Observatory also warned in a statement that the law "could lead to the approval of works and projects that generate significant environmental degradation".

Lula has yet to comment on the new rules.

The United Nations climate change conference, COP30, will take place in the Amazonian city of Belem from November 10 to 21.

Related Links
Our Polluted World and Cleaning It Up

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
FROTH AND BUBBLE
Tens of millions of tons of nanoplastics detected adrift in North Atlantic
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Jul 14, 2025
A groundbreaking study by researchers from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) and Utrecht University has revealed that the North Atlantic Ocean holds an estimated 27 million tons of nanoplastics-more than the total amount of larger plastic particles in all the world's oceans. The study, which marks the first quantitative estimate of oceanic nanoplastics, was made possible by a collaborative effort combining oceanographic and atmospheric expertise. "This estimate shows that the ... read more

FROTH AND BUBBLE
Extreme weather misinformation 'putting lives at risk,' study warns

Western aid cuts cede ground to China in Southeast Asia: study

Contaminated Fukushima soil delivered to Japan PM office

US withdrawing 700 Marines from Los Angeles: Pentagon

FROTH AND BUBBLE
New copper alloy delivers shape memory performance at extreme cold

Amazon shuts down Shanghai AI lab: source

Redwire integrates second Hammerhead satellite for ESA in-orbit tech mission

Morpheus Space completes orbital test of GO-2 electric propulsion system

FROTH AND BUBBLE
Restoring sea floor after mining may not be possible, researchers warn

Greece mulls water-saving moves as heatwave intensifies

Pakistan bans new hotel construction around tourist lakes

Cook Islands wages war on 'plague' of hungry starfish

FROTH AND BUBBLE
Finland breaks 50-year-old heat record

Heat melts Alps snow and glaciers, leaving water shortage

The eye-opening science of close encounters with polar bears

From Antarctica to Brussels, hunting climate clues in old ice

FROTH AND BUBBLE
French anger over bee-killing pesticide piles pressure on Macron

Cognac maker Remy Cointreau lifts guidance after China deal

'Garden of Eden': Albania eyes up growing exotic fruit for Europe

French petition against return of bee-killing pesticide passes 1mn

FROTH AND BUBBLE
Philippines flooding displaces thousands as new storm threatens

Flooding from storm Wipha cuts off hundreds in Vietnam

Philippines flooding displaces thousands, two missing

Philippines shuts schools, scraps flights as Typhoon Co-May nears

FROTH AND BUBBLE
Mali forces, Russian fighters killed dozens of Fulanis: HRW

'Human shield': Niger's ousted president held by junta

Somalia demands release of arms cargo ship seized by Puntland

One billion Africans being harmed by cooking pollution

FROTH AND BUBBLE
China says US withdrawal from UNESCO not behaviour of 'responsible country'

Adopted in US, Greek Cold War kids find long-lost families

Hong Kong leader backs same-sex couples' rights bill

Finns flock to 'shepherd weeks' to disconnect on holiday

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.