BETWEEN STANDARD AND PRACTICE: THE FRAGILITY OF BRAZILIAN ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION IN PROTECTING ECOSYSTEMS

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of Brazilian environmental legislation in protecting national ecosystems. The specific objectives include: identifying the main obstacles to the application of environmental norms; examining the impact of public policies on biodiversity conservation and environmental quality; and evaluating the role of institutions responsible for enforcement and legal compliance. The research adopts a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive approach, based on bibliographic review and documentary analysis of legislation, official reports, case studies, and scientific literature. The central theme of the investigation is the gap between Brazil’s robust environmental legal framework and its limited practical effectiveness in ecosystem conservation. The findings indicate that this gap is caused by factors such as shortages of financial and human resources, institutional disarticulation, legislative rollbacks, and instability in public policy implementation. The study concludes that it is essential to strengthen environmental governance through investments in enforcement, technical training, and effective social participation.