The indigenous people in Amazon demand much more

Activists from Brazil indicate that 2030 would be too late for saving the Amazon. An update.

The indigenous people in Amazon demand much more

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• Indigenous unhappy: Leaders of indigenous peoples living in various parts of the Amazon have criticised the 26th Conference of Parties (CoP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, saying the commitments made at CoP26 Glasgow were non-binding and fell short of the demands of indigenous and frontline communities.
• What they feel: The statement stated that “rather than taking meaningful action, CoP26 had provided powerful political and corporate actors the opportunity to cement false solutions like Net Zero targets and carbon-trading mechanisms.”

1. It had allowed governments to push back zero deforestation targets for another decade despite demands to the contrary.
2. While indigenous solutions were clearly present at the CoP, the Glasgow agreement had failed to address the climate emergency.
3. While nearly $20 billion (Rs 14,800 crore) was pledged to protect forests by 2030 that is too late for the Amazon, which faces a catastrophic tipping point. We must protect 80 per cent of the rainforest by 2025.
4. This meant implementation of the Amazon for Life Declaration, which calls for an immediate moratorium on deforestation and fossil fuel expansion, direct forest finance to indigenous and forest communities on the front lines of protection and the exclusion of forest-carbon offsets.
5. Brazilian climate negotiators also attempted to use CoP26 to burnish the country’s tattered environment image, announcing a new commitment to achieve zero deforestation and reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. Brazil also vowed to end “illegal” deforestation by 2028, two years earlier than a previous target.
6. Amazon Watch said these pledges, however, meant nothing given how deforestation had soared under President Jair Bolsonaro to levels last seen in 2008, as the extreme-right populist aims to open the Amazon to industrial development.

• Space data reveals: The preliminary data from the Brazilian national space research agency INPE showed about 877 square kilometres of forest were cleared in October, a five per cent increase from October 2020. It was the worst October deforestation since the current monitoring system began in 2015.

1. This year, indigenous Peoples had mobilised their efforts to challenge Article 6 in particular because of its severe implications to indigenous land rights.
2. This article promotes carbon market mechanisms that would open up opportunities for land grabs by corporations and governments.
3. They took the position that they would not accept Article 6 unless it includes specific language respecting indigenous knowledge, proper consultation with indigenous peoples throughout the entirety of any decision making processes and an independent grievance mechanism that holds bad actors accountable.

• Summary: There is clear and present danger in various indegenous communities, that cannot be wished away any longer. Governments have to step up, and take action urgently.
• EXAM QUESTIONS: (1) Explain the nature of problem in Amazonia. How has the rise of Bolsonaro worsended things there? (2) What were the achievements and failures of the COP-26 summit? Explain.

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#COP26 #Amzonia #Deforestration

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