Throughout the second half of the year, nine undergraduate Law students from FGV’s Sao Paulo Law School (Direito SP) conducted an unprecedented study analyzing different justifications offered by lawmakers on protected areas downgrading, downsizing and degazettement measures (PADDD). The study sets the environmental protection criteria to be followed especially in areas of mining activities and infrastructure projects.

In the study, held under the Sustainable Development Clinic of Direito SP, advised by professor Flavia Scabin, and in partnership with WWF-Brazil, the students developed a method to evaluate PADDD bills in the Brazilian Congress, which considers the specific characteristics of each type of Preservation Unit in the country, besides the criteria already established by law and case law.

According to Mariana Napolitano, head of the WWF-Brazil Science Program, the clinic plays a key role in training professionals that are ready to take on the environmental protection challenges faced by the country. “Part of our work is to help train people who have a strategic outlook on preservation and development”, said Napolitano.

For professor Flávia Scabin, coordinator of the Sustainable Development Clinic, the project ultimately has the potential to influence public policies, in addition to providing a rich experience to students. “Students were able to break down the complexity of socio-environmental issues and understand how the law can help deal with these issues”, said Scabin. 

Learn more about Direito SP’s Law Practice Clinics.