Criteria for environmental compensation have been updated in the state of São Paulo, effective from february onwards

Resolution No. 02/2024 was published on January 2nd, 2024, by the State Department of Environment, Infrastructure, and Logistics (“SEMIL”), updating the criteria and parameters for environmental compensation for the removal of native vegetation, cutting of isolated trees, or for interventions in Permanent Preservation Areas (“APP”) in both rural and urban areas of the State.

The Resolution aims to enhance the quality of compensations by refining the technical criteria used by the environmental agency when demanding environmental offsets, so as to prioritize the most relevant areas.

The map of priority areas for the restoration of native vegetation is attached to the Resolution, and establishes four priority classes – from low to very high. The map was developed based on the native vegetation coverage in each municipality, among other factors.

The Resolution, which can be accessed here, will be in force 30 days after its publication date. Thus, the new regulation will be enforced as of February 3rd, 2024, and will apply to  requests  submitted as of that date (for any authorizations to remove native vegetation, cut isolated trees, or intervene in APPs). Additionally, this new Resolution revokes Resolution SMA No. 7/2017, which addressed the same matter.