The omnibus law, a reform package created by Argentine President Javier Milei, was narrowly approved by the senate and sent back to the lower house for a final vote earlier this week. The package reflects Meilei’s beliefs on “emphasized deregulation, privatization and austerity measures as vital to strengthening Argentina’s competitiveness,” specifically in the economic realm. 

Enacting this law would initiate a one-year “public emergency,” granting the national government enhanced powers in economic, financial, and energy decisions. The big issue: “There’s no foreseeable sanction for violating environmental regulations,” said a report by FARN.

Due to a struggle to gain support, the package was cut down from 600 articles to 230. Although there are no longer direct changes to Argentina’s environment or conservation laws, the economic policies are questionable from the lens of environmental protection. Typically, environmental protection efforts are run locally, but this is a national project, and there’s no blueprint for how companies will be held accountable.

One of the administrative law reforms creates barriers for local communities contesting new projects. Companies would be able to decide how they interact with residents without legal precedent. Additionally, other reforms “give the president power to unliterally dissolve trust funds that support public services.” This means that Milei could choose to redirect funds from the Environmental Protection of Native Forests and the National Fire Management fund, organizations that prevent fires and fight climate change.