CLIMATE CRISIS AND THREATENED SPECIES: THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK IN BRAZIL

Abstract

This article examines the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and endangered species in Brazil in light of growing scientific evidence that global warming already poses concrete threats to the planet’s ecological balance. The study assumes that, although Brazil has an extensive legal framework for environmental protection, there are significant gaps in the integration between climate policy and endangered species conservation. The research aims to: present climate scenarios projected for Brazil based on IPCC and PBMC reports; reveal the number of threatened species and the Red List Index (RLI) from IUCN; and critically analyze the Brazilian federal legal framework regarding both climate policy and biodiversity protection. Through literature review, scientific data analysis, and legal research, the findings show Brazil as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, with severe risks to biodiversity. Despite a robust set of environmental laws, the national climate policy still lacks direct and effective mechanisms to safeguard endangered species. It is concluded that future legal advancements must bridge this legal framework gap by aligning conservation strategies with climate projections.

Keywords:
Environmental Law; threatened species; red list index; climate change; climate policies