They warn of “setback” in the protection of forests and glaciers in Milei reforms

The extensive package of reforms promoted by the president of Argentina, Javier Mileiimplies a “recoil” regulations that violate the protection of forests, glaciers and other natural resources, warn environmental organizations.

Milei, who assumed the Argentine Presidency on December 10 and who during the campaign stated that the climate crisis is a phenomenon “cyclical regardless of the existence of man”signed a controversial decree of necessity and urgency (DNU) to deregulate the economy.

Days later, he sent Parliament a bill that declares a public emergency and grants him broad powers in economic, political and social matters, including several aspects that directly or indifferently concern environmental issues.

“We see with deep concern what is hidden behind this project because it includes modifications that would violate the protection of the environment and ecosystems. “What this law puts in check is the protection of our native forests and our glaciers,” says Diego Salas, director of Greenpeace Andino Programs.

Environmental organizations do not rule out legal action against what they consider a “environmental regression”, They demand that Parliament reject the reform, vindicating the legislative debate processes that have taken place for years in Argentina to carry out environmental protection standards.

The initiative promoted by the new Government introduces changes to the Glacier Law approved in 2010, the Native Forest Law of 2007 and the Environmental Protection Law for the Control of Burning Activities of 2009.

“These regulations were mostly the product of the mobilization and demands of the population over the years. “It is unacceptable that due to an ideological bias the present and future of the country is mortgaged: its freshwater reserves, its food security and sovereignty, its biodiversity and the right to a healthy environment and life,” comments Martún Vainstein, national coordinator of Climate Save Argentina.

The reform facilitates the clearing without prior authorization and the burning of grasslands for agricultural or real estate purposes even without having a formal permit to do so, cuts the state funds available for the care of forests and allows economic activities, such as mining, in areas periglacials.

The initiative includes other worrying aspects, such as the flexibility of fishing permits, a measure that “It is going to strongly alter the marine fauna when Argentina already has great problems with its species in the sea,” warns Andrés Nápoli, executive director of the Environment and Natural Resources Foundation (FARN).

“The spirit of this project is to liberalize the economy and make the private sector more relevant. But the environmental issue, in order to fulfill the constitutional mandate of environmental protection, requires active public policies, budgets and compliance with the international commitments assumed. “With this project, Argentina will be far from this,” consider Naples.

Argentina recognized environmental rights with the 1994 constitutional reform and in 2016 ratified the Paris Agreement.

The reform promoted by Milei It also benefits the fossil fuel sector and boosts carbon credit markets, a mechanism that requires strict regulations to guarantee its transparency.

“Large polluters such as oil companies or agribusiness are given free rein, once their pollution quota is filled, to buy carbon credits from other companies to continue polluting and thus avoid penalties,” Vainstein warned.

It also generates “concern” among environmentalists the regulation of protests promoted by the new Government.

“This double impact, both in environmental preservation and in the exercise of the right to peaceful protest, can in no way be accepted,” Salas asserted.