Brazil’s Congress defies Lula to push through “devastation bill” on COP30’s heels

NGOs say the new environmental licensing rules to fast-track mining, energy and infrastructure projects will sweep away existing safeguards, undermining the country’s climate pledges in Belém
Environmental activists rally against a bill known as the 'devastation bill' after the Senate approved the project that creates the General Environmental Licensing Law (PL 2159/2021), which relaxes the requirements for companies that exploit environmental resources and threatens protected biomes in Sao Paulo, Brazil, June 1, 2025. REUTERS/Tuane Fernandes

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