Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Wednesday condemned Brazil’s Congress for advancing the General Environmental Licensing Bill, calling on lawmakers to support negotiations at COP30 and ratify the Escazú Agreement. The bill contains controversial provisions that would simplify environmental licensing requirements through developer self-certification and revoke protections for human rights defenders.

Brazil’s Senate is scheduled to vote November 27 on whether to override President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s veto of the bill’s key provisions in September. The bill, originally approved by the Senate in May 2025, would allow developers to self-certify compliance with environmental standards and automatically renew permits without a comprehensive review. UN human rights experts have warned the bill “risks exacerbating the planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, toxic pollution, and worsening inequalities.”

HRW also urged Brazil to ratify the Escazú Agreement, formally known as the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters, which guarantees citizens of Latin American and Caribbean nations the rights to access environmental information, participate in environmental decision-making processes, and seek justice in environmental matters. The agreement also establishes mechanisms for creating and strengthening capacities and cooperation to protect environmental defenders.

HRW emphasized ratifying the Escazú Agreement would strengthen protections for environmental defenders.  Cesar Munoz, Brazil director at Human Rights Watch, arguing for ratification, stated that “Brazil’s Congress should open its eyes to the enormous impact of environmental destruction on the lives of millions of Brazilians and of violence against defenders.”

These concerns for the environmental bill come amidst the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP30, which is being held in Brazil from November 10 to 21. The annual conference aims to reach international agreements on actions to address the climate crisis.