Brazil’s Lower House Passes Controversial Environmental Bill, Lula Weighs Response

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies has approved a sweeping bill to overhaul the country’s environmental regulations, triggering backlash from environmental advocates and sparking uncertainty over whether President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will sign it into law.

The legislation, which passed Thursday by a vote of 267 to 116, aims to simplify Brazil’s environmental licensing process. It now heads to Lula’s desk, where he can either approve it in full, veto it entirely, or reject specific provisions. The bill had already cleared the Senate in May.

Critics Warn of “Devastation Bill”

If enacted, the bill would significantly reduce the powers of federal agencies to oversee environmental licenses, particularly for infrastructure projects deemed priorities by the federal government. It would also replace the current three-step approval process with a streamlined single-stage review and remove requirements for environmental assessments when upgrading existing highways.

Environmentalists are especially alarmed by the bill’s potential impact on the Amazon. One provision could clear the way for full paving of a 900-kilometer (560-mile) stretch of highway through the rainforest, a project they say would accelerate deforestation in previously untouched areas.

“The bill represents a massive setback,” said Suely Araújo, public policy coordinator at the Climate Observatory, a network of environmental NGOs. “It could lead to the collapse of more than 40 years of progress in environmental law.”

Minister Signals Possible Veto

Environment Minister Marina Silva harshly criticized the legislation, warning that it weakens existing protections and could lead to serious consequences for Brazil’s ecosystems, water security, and public health. She said the federal government is actively evaluating options, including the possibility of a presidential veto.

The bill introduces a self-declaration system that would allow companies to obtain environmental licenses simply by submitting online documentation without formal review. Araújo estimated that around 90% of all projects in Brazil would fall under this automatic approval process.

“Companies would just click a button and get their license,” Araújo said. “This is by far the worst piece of environmental legislation we’ve ever seen.”

Environmental Groups Rally in Opposition

More than 300 environmental organizations — including Greenpeace, WWF Brazil, and other NGOs — signed a joint petition opposing the bill ahead of the vote. The campaign warned that the new rules would increase pollution, strain water resources, weaken protections for conservation areas, and jeopardize the health of local communities.

Activists have dubbed the legislation the “devastation bill,” saying it prioritizes short-term economic gains over long-term environmental sustainability.

Lula Under Pressure Ahead of COP30

President Lula, who has positioned himself as a global climate advocate, has not yet commented on how he intends to proceed. His decision is particularly significant given that Brazil will host the next United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP30, in the Amazon later this year.

Environmentalists argue that Lula’s credibility on the global stage is at stake. Approving the bill, they say, could send the wrong signal about Brazil’s environmental commitments just as it prepares to lead international climate talks.