The imminent environmental setback in Brazil driven by the Devastation Bill
Abstract: The Brazilian Congress has just approved Bill No. 2159/2021, which significantly weakens national environmental licensing regulations. The text dismantles fundamental safeguards, expands licensing exemptions without rigorous criteria, and allows self-licensing of medium-impact environmental activities. Amendments deepen the setback by introducing a “Special Environmental License” which a maximum one-year deadline for evaluating projects deemed strategic, regardless of their magnitude and socio-environmental consequences. The Bill opens the door to widespread environmental degradation, threatens public health, increases land conflicts, and perpetuates the deceptive narrative of “green capitalism”. It prioritizes the profits of a few over the collective well-being. In defense of natural heritage, environmental justice, and public health, we call for its veto.
Authors
- Solange Kimie Ikeda Castrillon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1862-4615)
- Manoel dos Santos Filho (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9784-7114)
- Ernandes Sobreira Oliveira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6953-6917)
- Claumir César Muniz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2082-2234)
- Wilkinson Lopes Lázaro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6499-6631)
- Juliano A. Bogoni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8541-0556)
- Angélica Vilas Boas da Frota (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3693-4756)
- Edvagner Oliveira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9327-5633)
- Cleverson Ricardo Soares Viana (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3448-8684)
- Derick Victor de Souza Campos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7995-9585)
- Carlos Eduardo Frickmann Young (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4225-4936)
- Dionei José da Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6189-9756)
- Breno Dias Vitorino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5293-8581)
- Fernando V. Borges (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8440-830X)
- Luís López (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3119-2530)
Institutions
- Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso (BR)
- Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Biota Neotropica
- Published
- 2025-01-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2025-1829
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Environmental law and policy
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 15.98