Indigenous people from nine countries that make up the Amazon Basin are in Belém to participate in the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP30). The delegation, made up of approximately 1,600 leaders, demands that indigenous territories be recognized as climate policy, real participation in decision-making spaces, funding for the communities that keep the forest standing and protection of defenders of these populations.
Indigenous territories are the most preserved areas in the Amazon and function as large carbon sinks. But indigenous people denounce that they suffer different types of pressure in their communities, such as mining and farming. Furthermore, they claim to be the first to feel the impacts of the climate crisis, such as prolonged droughts and floods.
“Without territory, there is no life, climate and no future. Indigenous territorial rights must be recognized as climate policy, as it is our preserved and protected lands, with the forest standing, that guarantee the conservation of biodiversity and the climate balance of the planet”, says Toya Manchineri, general coordinator of the Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon (Coiab).
Twenty-eight indigenous organizations from nine Amazon countries created their own Nationally Determined Contributions (NDcs), which are the goals and commitments made by the parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Indigenous NDCs list the demands of these populations. The document calls for priority for the recognition of territories — including those of isolated peoples — direct access to resources, financial autonomy, protection of defenders, appreciation of traditional knowledge and zones free from exploitation.
“We believe that COP30 is a unique opportunity for countries to make serious and ambitious commitments regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and concrete climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. But it is important to highlight that our impact is not just at COP30, but rather a process that should extend to the next conferences and other global decision-making spaces – always listening to our voice, the voice of indigenous peoples”, says Toya.
Schedule
The Coiab network will have programming in the Blue and Green Zones of the conference, in addition to the People’s Summit, in Aldeia COP, and in other mobilizations that will take place during the event period. For the 17th, an Indigenous Peoples March is planned through the streets of Belém, leaving Avenida Perimetral. The complete program can be accessed on the website coiab.org.br.
