In the context of the debate on the amendment of the Glacier Law promoted by the National Government, the different provincial jurisdictions analyzed the issue within the Federal Environment Council (COFEMA). Due to a combination of negative votes, abstentions, and absences, the official project failed to obtain the endorsement of this body.
During the session of the COFEMA, the delegates from the provinces of Argentina examined the legislative changes that the Executive intends to debate this Thursday in the National Senate. In this context, the Province of Buenos Aires formally expressed its rejection of the proposal, arguing that it represents a serious setback in environmental protection.
Legal and environmental grounds for the rejection
The Undersecretary of Environmental Policy of Buenos Aires, Tamara Basteiro, explained that, from a legal perspective, the initiative contradicts the principle of no environmental regression established in the Escazú Agreement, an international treaty signed by the country. She also noted that the reform violates the provisions of Article 41 of the National Constitution. Basteiro emphasized that this controversy occurs during a period of global climate crisis, with constant warnings from the UN about the speed of glacier retreat.
On the other hand, the Minister of Environment of Buenos Aires insisted that the protection of these ice masses is a strategic policy to safeguard natural common goods and ensure access to water. She argued that any change in the law should raise protection standards and not reduce the existing ones. She also emphasized that Argentina has the second most important freshwater reserve in Latin America and opposed an environmental relaxation that would facilitate the destruction of these resources by foreign corporations.
Outcome of the session and involved actors
Finally, due to the lack of a majority of support and the aforementioned absences and abstentions, the lack of a federal consensus for a reform that endangers conservation instruments was evident. The Province of Buenos Aires led the opposition bloc and, together with other provincial states, promoted the participation of environmental organizations and specialists from the IANIGLA (Argentine Institute of Snow Research, Glaciology, and Environmental Sciences) to enrich the technical debate.
