A new law in Brazil could cause "significant environmental harm and human rights violations", and represents a "rollback for decades" of protections in Brazil, including for the Amazon, a UN expert has told BBC News.
Plans to speed up approvals for development projects were criticised by Astrid Puentes Riaño, a UN special rapporteur, as the country prepares to host the COP30 climate summit this year.
Lawmakers passed plans to simplify environmental licences for infrastructure including roads, dams, energy and mines this month, though the president has not formally approved the bill.
Critics have dubbed it the "devastation bill" and say it could lead to environmental abuses and deforestation.
Proponents say a new nationwide licensing regime would simplify the long and complex process that companies face to prove to authorities that planned developments do not cause unacceptable environmental harm.
