All articles tagged with #environmental legislation
Brazil's President Lula signed a controversial environmental bill but vetoed key provisions that could have weakened environmental protections, including self-licensing and community consultation clauses, while allowing fast-tracking of certain projects. Environmental groups see the vetoes as progress, but face challenges in ensuring Congress upholds them amid political opposition and potential legal battles.
The EU Parliament passed a controversial nature law aimed at restoring nature on a fifth of land and sea by 2030, despite facing political backlash and protests from farmers who argue that EU green policies impose excessive bureaucracy. The law, which aims to reverse the decline of Europe's natural habitats, was approved with 329 votes in favor, 275 against, and 24 abstentions. While the final policy is weaker than originally planned, it still requires final approval from EU countries before entering into force.
An Indigenous councilman in Guajara-Mirim, Brazil, has successfully proposed a groundbreaking law that grants personhood status to the Komi Memem River and its tributaries, making it the first river in the Brazilian Amazon to receive such recognition. The law aims to protect the river and its surrounding forest from encroachment by soybean cultivation and illegal deforestation. The Wari' people, who have inhabited the Western Amazon for centuries, are resorting to the white man's law to defend their land and resources. The law comes as South American governments gather to discuss ways to preserve the Amazon rainforest and protect Indigenous peoples.
New legislation proposed by Brooklyn Councilman Lincoln Restler would require ice cream trucks, including Mr. Softee, in New York City to switch from using fuel-powered generators to environmentally friendly alternatives like electric or solar power. The bill has faced criticism from colleagues who fear it could harm small businesses and disrupt the ice cream industry. Restler claims the measure is in response to complaints about diesel emissions from ice cream trucks. The proposed legislation would give vendors three years to make the switch.