In brief
On 8 April 2026, Argentina’s lower house of Congress approved a legislative proposal amending Law No. 26,639 on Minimum Environmental Protection Standards for Glaciers and the Periglacial Environment, completing the legislative process following its earlier approval by the Senate.
The purpose of the new Law No. 27,804 (not yet published in the Official Gazette) is to clarify the scope of glacier protection, reinforce provincial authority over natural resources, and bring the legal framework into line with constitutional principles of federalism and sustainable development.
Key changes include a redefinition of the protected areas, a more flexible regime granting provinces faculties to identify and authorize the activities, and give clarifications regarding the National Glacier Inventory. The amendments promote a uniform interpretation of the protection of glaciers and periglacial environments and streamline the assessment of productive projects — particularly in mining, energy, and infrastructure — while maintaining environmental protection standards.
In depth
The key provisions include:
- Purpose of the law: The protected subject matter is redefined, covering only glaciers and periglacial environment with a relevant hydrological function (i.e., strategic water reserves or contribution to basin recharge). It is clarified that protection must be interpreted in harmony with the rational use of natural resources and provincial powers.
- National Glacier Inventory: Its role is reaffirmed as the key tool for identification, protection, control, and monitoring. Mandatory consultation by the competent authorities is established, without limiting provincial powers.
- Precautionary principle: Any geoform included in the Inventory is presumed to be protected until the environmental authority verifies the absence of its hydrological function. Provinces may report new landforms for inclusion in or exclusion from the Inventory, and the absence of intervention by the Argentine Institute of Nivology, Glaciology and Environmental Sciences (IANIGLA) does not invalidate provincial authorizations.
- Prohibited activities: All activities that may significantly alter the natural condition or hydrological functions of glaciers and the periglacial environment are prohibited, including mining and hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation, industrial activities, and certain infrastructure works. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Provincial authority shall determine, through environmental impact assessments, which activities could entail a material alteration of the terms of the law and, therefore, be prohibited.
- Environmental impact assessment: Any project proposed in glacier or periglacial areas is subject to a prior environmental impact assessment. Depending on the scale and degree of intervention, the provincial environmental authority may also require a strategic environmental assessment. Rescue activities, non-invasive scientific research, and non-motorized sports activities continue to be exempt.
- Competent authorities: The role of the environmental authority of the provinces is strengthened: they are responsible for identifying protected glaciers and landforms and for sharing information with IANIGLA to update the Inventory.
Franco Sinagra, Associate, contributed to this alert.
Download the Spanish version of Argentina: Amendment to Glacier Law No. 26,639.