In the Headlines
July 31, 2024
What Is Colombia Lacking in Environmental Legislation and Why Are Lawsuits Related to These Issues on the Rise?
El Tiempo
Environmental attorney José Vicente Zapata was interviewed by El Tiempo about environmental legislation in Colombia and the growing number of lawsuits related to these issues. In his view, Colombia is "over-legislated" in environmental matters, and what is needed is a more effective application of existing regulations. Mr. Zapata emphasized that granting rights to natural resources, such as rivers or moorlands, without concrete actions to protect them, does not translate into true environmental protection and can hinder the country's sustainable development.
"What we need is effectiveness of the regulations, fewer regulations, fewer regulations. We have that Latin vision that we put it on paper and it does not materialize in any way. What we need is for them to be applied in the areas where we are most lacking," he said.
READ: What Is Colombia Lacking in Environmental Legislation and Why Are Lawsuits Related to These Issues on the Rise? (Subscription required)
"What we need is effectiveness of the regulations, fewer regulations, fewer regulations. We have that Latin vision that we put it on paper and it does not materialize in any way. What we need is for them to be applied in the areas where we are most lacking," he said.
READ: What Is Colombia Lacking in Environmental Legislation and Why Are Lawsuits Related to These Issues on the Rise? (Subscription required)