A NEW Brazilian law could cause “significant environmental harm and human rights violations,” a United Nations expert has warned.

In an interview with the BBC, UN special rapporteur Astrid Puentes Riano, said the legislation could represent a “rollback for decades” of protections in Brazil, including the Amazon region.

Brazilian legislators passed plans this month to simplify environmental licences for infrastructure including roads, dams, energy and mines, though President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has yet to formally approve the Bill.

Some critics say the legislation could lead to environmental abuses and deforestation. But supporters of the Bill say it would simplify the long and complex process that companies must go through to prove to the authorities that planned developments do not cause unacceptable environmental damage.

The new changes would allow some developers too self-declare the environmental impact of small projects using an online form.

In the interview, Ms Riano expressed fears that the lighter-touch regulation would “apply to some mining projects” and have a major impact on the Amazon.

The new plan “will prevent environmental impact assessments from being done on these projects,” she said. “Some of the projects will include mining projects or infrastructure projects where a full assessment is needed.

“It will also cause deforestation. Modifications or continuations of projects might mean deforestation in the Amazon without a proper assessment.”

Ms Riano’s comments come months after a report showed that vast swathes of the Amazon were destroyed last year, with forest fires fuelled by drought adding to human-caused deforestation.

Environmental and Climate Change Minister Marina Silva has strongly opposed the Bill, branding it a “death blow” to environmental protections.

Lula has until August 8 to decide whether to approve or veto the legislation.

Brazil is set to host the Cop30 climate summit later this year.