FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS IN BRAZILIAN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Abstract

This article examines the challenges of implementing legislation for Environmental Education in Brazil, focusing on the processing of international treaties and their incorporation into the national legal system. The research covers a timeframe of the main environmental conventions ratified by the country between 1959 and 2025, using the National Common Curricular Base (BNCC) and the Brazilian legal framework as reference. The study begins with the following question: What is the average time for ratification of environmental treaties in Brazil, and what obstacles slow their effective implementation in Environmental Education? To answer this question, the 1988 Federal Constitution, current environmental legislation, ratified international treaties (such as the Paris Agreement), and legislative procedures in the National Congress are analyzed. The results demonstrate a significant slowdown in the ratification process. As a prime example, the Hague Convention (1980) stands out, which entered into force internationally in less than four years but took two decades to be fully internalized in Brazil. This slowness reflects the need for more agile mechanisms to align the country with global commitments. The conclusion is that, although Brazil has a robust regulatory framework on environmental matters, it lacks efficiency in translating these standards into practical educational policies. The research reinforces the urgent need for political and educational action to overcome the disparity between signed conventions and their effective implementation, ensuring compliance with environmental legislation, raising social awareness, and developing public policies aligned with global commitments. This not only serves as a legal formality, but also translates these agreements into tangible results for society and the natural and social environment.