**3.2 Context on the regulatory framework that governs environmental issues in Colombia**

The Political Constitution of Colombia of 1991 has been called the "green constitution" or "ecological constitution." According to Melo [35], the constitution is in line with the main international concerns on environmental protection and biodiversity. Moreover, it recognizes that the fundamental right to a healthy environment is of paramount interest and extensively develops this notion.

Accordingly, the charter in "its principles, mandates, and obligations are aimed at (i) protecting the environment in an integrated manner and (ii) ensuring a model of sustainable development." (Melo, 2018, p. 289) In 1993, 2 years after the constitution was enacted, law 99 was passed by the Colombian government in which sustainable development was defined as follows:

*That which leads to economic growth, a better quality of life, and social well-being, without depleting the renewable natural resource base on which it is sustained, and without damaging the environment or the right of future generations to use it according to their own needs (Law 99, 1993, n.p).*

Given this definition, it could be said that Colombia's constitution deems environmental protection as a right and a necessary condition for the survival of communities and territories. Law 99 of 1993 [36] also created the National Environmental System (SINA), which enables the implementation of the general environmental principles set out in the Political Constitution of Colombia of 1991 and Law 99 of 1993 [36] itself. The SINA is made up of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA), 26 regional autonomous corporations, seven sustainable development corporations, six urban environmental authorities, territorial entities, research Institutes, the National System of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the special administrative unit of the Natural National Parks System, which are all bodies dependent on the Ministry.
