Possible impacts of the general environmental licensing law on infrastructure projects

Abstract

Objective: This article analyzes the potential impacts of the General Environmental Licensing Law, Law 15.190/2025, on infrastructure projects in Brazil. It examines how the consolidation of environmental rules, the standardization of procedures and the establishment of maximum deadlines may provide greater legal certainty, speed and predictability to the environmental licensing process. The study also evaluates the effects of exemption rules and sustainability incentive mechanisms on transportation, energy, sanitation and logistics projects.

Method:The study follows a qualitative analytical approach supported by legislative, bibliographical and case law review. It examines provisions of the new law, amendments to related environmental statutes, decisions of the Brazilian Supreme Court and norms from the National Environmental Policy, the Environmental Crimes Law and the National System of Conservation Units.

Findings: The research indicates that the law standardizes terminology, unifies environmental studies, establishes maximum analysis deadlines and strengthens supplementary licensing competence in situations of administrative omission. The study also identifies that certain infrastructure related activities become exempt from licensing, including emergency interventions, voluntary waste delivery points and electricity distribution works up to 138 kV. The adoption of electronic procedures, public access to information and incentives for sustainable technologies promote lower costs, greater efficiency and enhanced regulatory predictability.

Conclusions: The study concludes that Law 15.190/2025 modernizes and rationalizes environmental licensing in Brazil. Its implementation may increase legal certainty, attract investment and improve the execution of infrastructure projects while maintaining environmental protection standards. The law advances the balance between economic development and sustainability by adopting clear criteria, efficiency measures and incentive-based mechanisms.