Protests erupted in Belém, Brazil this past Sunday, coinciding with a Brazilian government environmental conference titled The Amazonian Dialogues. The focal point of the demonstrations were against Petrobras, the Brazilian state oil company’s proposal to begin offshore drilling near the mouth of the Amazon River. This proposed project would be in the deep waters off the Brazilian state of Amapá. The primary concern of protesters is that Petrobras lacks the necessary license to operate the oil drilling project in the Amazon basin, an environmentally complex and sensitive area. Brazilian law currently requires an Environmental Assessment of Sedimentary Areas (AAAS) to be conducted before initiating such a project as mandated by the Ordinance MME-MMA No. 198/2012.
Petrobras reportedly applied for the required license, but was rejected by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) on May 17 due to what were termed “technical inconsistencies.” Amazon’s mouth region is held in particular regard for its extreme socio-environmental sensitivity, housing conservation units, indigenous lands, mangroves, colonies of organisms such as corals and sponges, and a huge marine biodiversity that includes endangered species. It is noteworthy that Ibama stated no AAAS has been conducted in Brazil’s equatorial margin region since its introduction in 2012.
In response to the rejection, Petrobras filed an appeal on May 23. All the while acknowledging the environmental fragility of the area, the company claimed it met all technical requirements and was prepared to meet any additional demands. However, Brazil’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva, assured that the central government would stand behind Ibama’s decision.
The Amazonian Dialogues conference was organized in Belém by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Brazil, where representatives from different Amazon-region governments were brought together. The event further highlights the rising urgency of sustainable management in the Amazon area. The conference will continue through Tuesday and Wednesday.