UGREEN Mentorship

Last Days to Secure the 1st Batch of the Sustainable Mentorship

Have you ever facd clients asking for a “more sustainable” project, but when it comes to the proposal, all they see is extra cost

Or maybe you realized that your initial design concept doesn’t really align with the climate, site conditions, or energy efficiency — and in the end, sustainability turns into nothing more than a decorative detail.

These situations have direct consequences: projects that fail to deliver real performance, clients who don’t see the added value, and professionals losing ground in an increasingly competitive market.

That’s where UGREEN’s Sustainable Architecture Concept Mentorship comes in as a practical and effective solution for you and your projects.

Through 4 live sessions (with recordings included), you’ll learn how to transform climate and site data into design strategies, optimize building forms for energy efficiency, choose low-impact materials, and integrate nature in a tangible, measurable way. All of this is applied in practice using the exclusive UGREEN Canvas method.

⏳ But pay attention: the first batch of registrations is closing soon. If you want to secure your spot with the best conditions, the time is now.

📅 Starts: October 7th
🎥 4 live sessions + recordings available
⚡ Limited spots + exclusive Early Bird discount

Now is the time to turn your concepts into practice: develop high-impact sustainable projects and claim your place in the market!

News

Brazil ar a Crossroads: The Advance of the “Devastation Bill”

Brazil’s National Congress is debating the overturn of 63 presidential vetoes to the recently sanctioned Law 15.190, known as the General Environmental Licensing Law. Environmentalists, scientists, Indigenous peoples, and tradicional communities warn: this represents the biggest attack on Brazil’s environmental legislation in over 40 years.

As Brazil prepares to host COP30, the contradiction grows between the country’s climate commitments abroad and the weakening of licensing rules at home.

How Environmental Licensing Worked

Created in 1981 and regulated in 1997, the system aimed to prevent damage before it happened.

The process was divided into three stages:

1. Preliminary License — assessed project feasibility during the planning phase.

2. Installation License — authorized construction after a detailed analysis.

3. Operation License — final check before functioning, ensuring compliance.

Despite its bureaucracy, the model was recognized as the most effective way to avoid environmental tragedies like Mariana (2015) and Brumadinho (2019).

The Most Controversial Changes

The new law deeply alters this logic. Among the most critical points are:

• License by Adhesion and Commitment (LAC): allows entrepreneurs to obtain licenses automatically by simply declaring online that they meet requirements — without prior technical review.

• Special Environmental License (LAE): authorizes the government to fast-track, within 12 months, projects deemed “strategic”. Decisions shift from technical to political, opening doors to high-impact ventures such as oil exploration at the Amazon River’s mouth.

• Exemption from Licensing: large-scale agricultural activities may be freed from prior impact assessments on soil, water, and biodiversity. This directly benefits agribusiness while raising concerns for local communities

Who’s Behind It?

The rural caucus, with about 350 lawmakers, was the driving force behind the approval. The National Confederation of Industry also supported the bill, arguing that licensing creates legal uncertainty and delays investments.

Key figures behind the project include Senator Tereza Cristina, former Congressman Neri Geller, and Congressman Zé Vitor, alongside sectors eager to accelerate natural resource exploitation.

Predicted Impacts

Experts warn of immediate risks in projects such as:

• Amazon River mouth: possible resumption of oil exploration.

• Ferrogrão: a 933 km railway crossing sensitive Amazonian areas.

• BR-319 highway: linking Manaus and Porto Velho, potentially opening paths for deforestation and land grabbing.

Beyond environmental damage, Indigenous peoples, quilombola communities, and traditional populations will be more vulnerable, since the law reduces requirements for prior consultation.

Economic Consequences

The rollback could also hit Brazil’s economy. The European Union and other markets already restrict imports of products linked to deforestation. Weakening licensing could lead to trade barriers and reduced competitiveness for Brazilian agribusiness.

International investors focused on ESG criteria may start to view Brazil as a high socio-environmental risk, pulling back capital and opportunities.

What Happens Next

The future of licensing will still be decided in Congress, with the vote on the presidential vetoes. Civil society organizations are mobilizing to pressure lawmakers.

One initiative is the website pldadesvastacao.org, which allows citizens to send direct massages to congressional leaders.

In the worst-case scenario, if the changes stand, experts call for strengthening oversight and modernizing environmental review processes — “license better, not less”.

Want to Dive Deeper?

Watch now on Youtube!

And don’t forget to share your opinion there. Let me know: do you trust that digital licensing can work without paving the way for new environmental disasters in Brazil?

⚠️ Disclaimer: The video is in Portuguese (PT/BR), but subtitles and simultaneous translation are available.

News

Eco-Friendly Bricks Gains Ground in Construction and Can Cut Final Project Costs by Up to 40%

Amid the growing demand for more sustainable and cost-effective solutions in construction, the eco-friendly brick is emerging as a viable alternative to conventional models. Made from a mix of soil, cement, and water — without firing — it drastically reduces environmental impact by eliminating the use of firewood and CO₂ emissions.

Beyond its green footprint, the system also offers practical and financial advantages:

• Eliminates plastering, as it can remain exposed;

• Integrates structure, sealing, and installations in a single step;

• Reduces the need for concrete, steel, and mortar;

• Allows construction to be up to 30% faster with less waste.

Savings on the final construction cost can reach up to 40%, depending on the project.

The modular design, with blocks that interlock like Lego pieces, also makes it easier to run electrical and plumbing systems through internal holes, without the need to break walls.

Despite its benefits, the system requires careful planning and skilled labor. Proper waterproofing of walls and foundations is also essential to ensure durability.

In Brazil, the use of eco-friendly bricks still faces scalling challenges, such as regional availability and limited technical knowledge. However, the growth of local factories and the increasing popularity of training programs focused on this type of construction are shifting the landscape.

Why it matters?

Eco-friendly bricks provide an accessible solution to cut costs, reduce construction time, and lower environmental impact — all without compromising structural strength, thermal performance, or acoustic comfort.

Looking forward!

New versions of the brick are being developed with the additino of recycled waste, such as PET, rubble, and sugarcane bagasse, further expanding the material’s sustainability potential.