No, open burning in Colombia is prohibited under national environmental law, with exceptions strictly controlled by regional authorities like Corporaciones Autónomas Regionales (CARs) and the 2022 Decreto 1076. Violations trigger fines up to 5,000 minimum legal monthly wages and criminal liability under Ley 2111 de 2021.
Key Regulations for Open Burning in Colombia
- National Ban: Decreto 1076 de 2022 (Article 2.2.2.1.1.1) bans open burning of agricultural waste, plastics, and biomass except under CAR-approved permits.
- Regional Permits: CARs (e.g., Corpoguavio, Carder) may authorize controlled burns for pest control or land management, but only with prior environmental impact assessments.
- 2026 Compliance Shift: New Resolución 0549 de 2023 mandates real-time satellite monitoring for permitted burns, aligning with Colombia’s 2030 carbon neutrality targets.
Local governments enforce these rules via municipal ordinances, with penalties escalating for non-compliance. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities may negotiate exceptions under Ley 70 de 1993, but documentation is mandatory.