Minister of the STF responded to a request from Psol; party says authorities have been negligent about the climate crisis
The minister of the STF (Supreme Federal Court) Flávio Dino ordered the government of São Paulo to pass on information on the budgetary execution of programs aimed at environmental protection in the State and data on protected areas. The decision is this Thursday (Dec 19, 2024) and responds to a request from Psol. Here is it (PDF – 263 kB).
The minister determined, for example, that the State’s (Secretariat of Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics) present a report containing details regarding the budgetary execution of environmental protection programs in the years 2023 and 2024, with special attention to the causes of “non-implementation of resources in activities aimed at preventing fires”.
Dino also orders Cetesb (Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo) to present within 30 days the authorizations issued in the last 5 years for the use of fire in controlled burning, controlled burning for agricultural and forestry management and for scientific and technological. The intention is to verify whether or not there has been an increase in authorizations for the use of fire.
Furthermore, the minister orders the presentation of a detailed report on all specially protected areas under the responsibility of Semil, which cover the Cerrado and Semideciduous Seasonal Forest, as well as the presentation of a report on the so-called “Agro-Legal Program”, with a request for quantities of restored areas and deadline.
Dino’s decision, despite having to be complied with immediately, must undergo a referendum by the other ministers of the Court.
PSOL REQUEST
In mid-December, Psol filed a lawsuit with the STF, which is under Dino’s report, with the aim of remedying “violations of fundamental precepts” resulting from omissions by the Union and the State of SP regarding protection, prevention, precaution, inspection, conservation and promotion of environmental sustainability.
The party claims that SP is facing a climate crisis “unprecedented”even taking into account the fact that the state capital was left behind in September, amid fires that hit the country.
The acronym’s petition cites the high number of fire outbreaks registered in Brazil and states that, according to data from the State itself, the number of fire outbreaks grew between January and August this year compared to 2023. “Since the flames worsened at the end of August, around 8,049 rural properties have been affected by fires in 317 municipalities”says the petition.
The Psol says, however, that in the opposite direction, the state government reduced the budget allocated to combating fires for 2025 and claims that the authorities have been “negligent”.
In his decision, Dino says that “it is undeniable that the climate emergency constitutes an unprecedented global threat” and have “alarming consequences” such as rising sea levels and more intense storms, resulting in the destruction of infrastructure and loss of human life.
“Thus, it is essential that the Respondents reinforce environmental inspection and control, aiming to reduce new fire outbreaks. Furthermore, it is crucial to implement adequate infrastructure to combat and prevent these events by 2025.”says the minister.
