On November 25 and 26, Brasília hosted the First Legal Conference on the Prevention and Management of Environmental Crises, a significant milestone in the evolution of environmental and climate law in Brazil. Organized by the Federal Justice Council (CJF), the event brought together specialists, magistrates, academics and organizations dedicated to socio-environmental protection. As a result of the debates and contributions presented, 103 statements were approved which will serve as strategic guidelines for the Judiciary, with the aim of standardizing decisions and promoting effective solutions to contemporary environmental crises.
Among the most important topics discussed during the day were the adoption of environmental due diligence as an essential tool for preventing ecological disasters and ensuring compliance with standards by companies and institutions. The emphasis on judicial cooperation was also a central point, with the formulation of statements that seek to avoid conflicts of jurisdiction in structural litigation and complex environmental actions, strengthening coordination between different judicial bodies. Another innovative aspect was the valorization of the participation and consultation of affected communities, such as indigenous and traditional peoples, reaffirming the democratic principle and the importance of dialogue in managing solutions to environmental crises.
The Climate Action Institute played an important role in this event by submitting several proposals for statements, many of which were approved. These proposals reflect the Institute's commitment to building innovative solutions to environmental challenges through the strategic use of legal tools. Among the Institute's contributions are initiatives aimed at ensuring climate justice, protecting the rights of affected communities and strengthening legal mechanisms for preventing and repairing environmental damage.
Check out the five statements approved at the 1st Legal Conference on Prevention and Management of Environmental Crises submitted by the Climate Action Institute:
| Statement 8225: the water crisis caused by disasters must be approached from a multidimensional perspective, considering both the immediate environmental impacts and the social and economic repercussions for the affected populations. The management and recovery of water resources must involve preventive and restorative actions, as well as strategies to mitigate future risks. |
| Statement 8226: the formulation of river basin committees must ensure the effective participation of traditional communities and incorporate their knowledge into resource management, promoting inclusive and fair water governance. |
| Statement 8240: civil liability for environmental damage resulting from fires and illegal burn-offs should also cover climate damage, in the moral and material spheres. |
| Statement 8248: the free, prior and informed consultation provided for in Convention 169 of the International Labor Organization (ILO), in cases of measures that may affect the territories inhabited by indigenous and traditional peoples, must always be guided by the principle of self-determination of the peoples, and cannot be restricted by the legal status given to their respective territories. |
| Statement 8294: structural claims relating to environmental damage, including climate damage, must prioritize prevention, reparation and compensation actions, as well as adaptation measures, aimed at affected populations that are especially vulnerable, as recognized by Article 4, V, of Law No. 12.187/2009. |