A Nova Lei de Petróleos de Moçambique

The document analyzes the proposed changes to Mozambique's Petroleum Law, arguing that while the government aims to attract investment and economic development, the law remains vague on community rights. It emphasizes that legally binding agreements between oil companies and affected populations are only effective if communities have independent legal and technical support. The text warns that the inclusion of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) may be used to justify continued fossil fuel extraction without addressing the costs borne by local populations. It calls for 'real consultations' and specific, verifiable benefit-sharing mechanisms to ensure that extractive wealth does not solely benefit the elite while locals suffer land loss and pollution.

• The revised Petroleum Law allows oil companies to enter into legally binding agreements with affected communities, but the document warns that such agreements may favor companies due to their superior access to lawyers and technical experts.
• The law introduces requirements for companies to submit human rights compliance reports, though the document argues these are symbolic unless there are clear consequences for violations and public accessibility to the reports.
• Provisions for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) are included as a climate solution, but the document suggests the industry may use this technology to justify the expansion of fossil fuel extraction without reducing the costs borne by local communities.
• The document argues that 'legal certainty' (segurança jurídica) is currently skewed toward investors, and that true legal certainty for communities requires specific, applicable rules on land rights, fishing protection, and resettlement.
• The text asserts that benefit-sharing remains a vague expression rather than a legal commitment unless the law specifies how benefits are calculated, distributed, and verified.

APA

Natural Justice (2026). A Nova Lei de Petróleos de Moçambique. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Portuguese-Moz_Petroleum-Act-Facstheet_FINAL.pdf

Chicago

Natural Justice. A Nova Lei de Petróleos de Moçambique. 2026. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Portuguese-Moz_Petroleum-Act-Facstheet_FINAL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Natural Justice |title=A Nova Lei de Petróleos de Moçambique |date=May 2026 |url=https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Portuguese-Moz_Petroleum-Act-Facstheet_FINAL.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{naturaljustice2026nova, author = {{Natural Justice}}, title = {{A Nova Lei de Petróleos de Moçambique}}, institution = {Natural Justice}, year = {2026}, month = may, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Portuguese-Moz_Petroleum-Act-Facstheet_FINAL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }