Latest news Less protection for Argentina's glaciers
The parliament in Argentina has passed a controversial reform of the law to protect glaciers. After hours of debate, the Chamber of Deputies voted 137 to 111 in favor of the bill, which restricts the protection of glaciers and adjacent high mountain areas and is intended to enable new economic projects - especially in mining - as reported by the newspaper "La Nación".
09.04.2026, 18:47
SDA
In future, only those glaciers and adjacent areas that can be proven to fulfill a relevant function for the water supply are to be strictly protected. The provinces will be given a central role in the evaluation of these areas and thus gain more influence over the use of natural resources.
The government of Argentina's ultra-liberal President Javier Milei calls the reform "historic". It means that the country is "returning to genuine environmental federalism and an intelligent, sovereign policy in the use of its resources". At the same time, the government argues that the previous regulation hindered investment and led to misinterpretations. The aim is to facilitate projects worth billions, particularly in the lithium and mining sectors.
Criticism and announced lawsuits
Critics, on the other hand, accuse the government of relaxing environmental standards and serving the interests of the mining industry. Several opposition politicians have announced that they will challenge the reform in court due to its alleged unconstitutionality.
Comprehensive glacier protection has been in place in Argentina since 2010. The law previously prohibited interventions in the approximately 17,000 glaciers, as they are considered strategic water reserves. At the same time, glacier populations in Argentina have been shrinking significantly for years, which is mainly attributed to climate change. Even the famous Perito Moreno glacier in the south of the country, which has long been considered stable, is retreating more and more. Milei denies man-made climate change.
