Amazonian Bioeconomy, Ecological Justice, and Limits on Extractivism: A Comparative Legal Analysis Between Brazil and Colombia

Abstract

Amazonian bioeconomy is presented as an alternative for reconciling biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and innovation. However, its incorporation into public policies raises questions about its capacity to overcome the historical dynamics of extractivism or, conversely, to reproduce them under new rationalities associated with the green economy. In this context, the article conducts a comparative analysis of the legal and institutional models of the bioeconomy adopted by Brazil and Colombia. The aim is to examine the extent to which their regulatory frameworks incorporate legal parameters that are compatible with ecological justice. The research employs a qualitative approach, which includes a literature and documentary review, normative analysis, and comparative legal method. To this purpose, it draws on the regulatory frameworks, public policies, and environmental governance instruments of both countries, in light of environmental law, political ecology, and the theory of coloniality. The findings demonstrate that bioeconomy does not, by itself, constitute an alternative to the extractivist paradigm. Its legitimacy depends on the existence of legal and institutional mechanisms capable of guaranteeing ecological integrity, the effective participation of traditional communities, the protection of traditional knowledge, the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, and transparency in environmental governance. The comparative analysis highlights recent advances in the institutionalization of the bioeconomy in Brazil and Colombia, but also challenges related to regulatory coordination, the implementation public policies, and the prevention of the commodification of nature. It is concluded that ecological justice constitutes a legal framework for evaluating the legitimacy of bioeconomy policies in the Amazon and for strengthening governance models committed to the protection of biodiversity, the rights of indigenous peoples.