Environmental policy shifts under debate in Peru and Colombia

In Peru, the Colegio de Biólogos del Perú (CBP) has expressed opposition to Legislative Proposition N.° 00098/2026-2031-CD. The proposal, driven by the Executive Branch, seeks to modify the Law of Natural Protected Areas to allow hydrocarbon activities within protected spaces. The CBP warns that this could weaken environmental protections, threaten biodiversity, and impact indigenous peoples in isolation and initial contact (PIACI).

Meanwhile, the Colombian government has introduced a draft decree to allow the simultaneous execution of prior consultation with ethnic communities and environmental licensing processes for infrastructure and energy projects. Ministers Fabio Arjona and Rodrigo Lara Restrepo stated the goal is to reduce administrative timelines and costs—potentially saving up to two years on certain projects—without lowering technical environmental standards. The initiative would allow environmental evaluations to proceed in parallel with community consultations.