The United Nations-sponsored climate negotiations, known as COP30, are set to begin this week. This year’s conference marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement and will be the first ever held in the Amazon. COP30 is being promoted as the most Indigenous of all COPs, with Brazil taking the lead as the host country in providing camping sites for up to 3,000 people, credentials for hundreds to enter the official venue, and direct channels for Indigenous contributions and demands to be overseen by Brazil’s Minister of Indigenous People, Sonia Guajajara.
Indigenous experts have lauded Brazil’s efforts for Indigenous participation at COP as a major step forward. However, the true test lies in whether these actions will translate into actual influence at the negotiations.
The backdrop for COP30 is the alarming fact that 2024 has been confirmed as the hottest year on record, with global temperatures surpassing the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit set by the Paris Agreement. Global greenhouse gas emissions are on the rise, and experts are predicting more frequent and intense extreme climate events like droughts, floods, and storms. In Brazil, 46% of greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to deforestation, mainly due to illegal activities like logging, farming, and ranching in the Amazon.
Despite these challenges, Indigenous peoples in Brazil and around the world continue to offer solutions. Indigenous territories in the Amazon are among the best-preserved, with less than 1.5% of deforestation occurring inside demarcated lands. These lands are responsible for nearly 60% of the forest’s carbon storage. Studies have shown positive ecological outcomes when Indigenous peoples are involved in land stewardship, highlighting the importance of their sovereignty over lands.
However, Indigenous peoples have faced obstacles in participating in previous COP summits. While COPs are considered democratic processes where signatory countries each have one vote, only national delegations get to negotiate and decide on the final texts. This leaves Indigenous peoples as non-state actors with no formal role in the negotiations, despite the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The labyrinthine power structures and acronyms within the U.N. system further complicate the participation of non-state actors at COP. The Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform established by the Paris Agreement aims to enable Indigenous participation in U.N. climate processes. While the platform can amplify Indigenous perspectives, it does not speak for Indigenous peoples in negotiations.
The record for Indigenous participation at COP was set at 316 people in 2023 in Dubai. Minister Guajajara has pledged to facilitate 1,000 UNFCCC credentials for Indigenous peoples at COP30, but challenges remain in translating accreditation into meaningful participation. Opportunities to engage with negotiators are limited, and competition is fierce, with experienced lobbyists often dominating the space.
As COP30 kicks off, the focus will be on the role of Indigenous peoples in shaping climate action plans and influencing global climate policy. The participation and contributions of Indigenous communities will be crucial in addressing the urgent climate challenges facing the world today.
However, they can inform and influence official NDCs, showcasing community-driven climate solutions and emphasizing the importance of Indigenous knowledge and land stewardship in global climate action.
The push for Indigenous inclusion in NDCs comes at a crucial time. With the impacts of climate change escalating and the need for ambitious emissions reductions becoming more urgent, the role of Indigenous peoples in climate solutions cannot be overlooked. Their traditional knowledge, sustainable land management practices, and resilience to climate impacts offer valuable resources for adaptation and mitigation efforts.
By recognizing and supporting Indigenous contributions to climate action, countries can not only meet their NDC targets more effectively but also foster greater climate justice and equity. Indigenous peoples have long been marginalized in climate negotiations and policy-making, despite being among the most vulnerable to climate change. Including their voices and perspectives in NDCs is a crucial step towards building more inclusive and effective climate policies.
As the world gears up for COP30 and countries prepare to enhance their NDCs, the spotlight on Indigenous inclusion is growing brighter. The Indigenous NDC crafted by COIAB and the template being developed by RRI are just the beginning of a larger movement towards centering Indigenous knowledge and rights in global climate action. As the world faces the challenges of a changing climate, it is clear that Indigenous peoples have a vital role to play in shaping a sustainable and resilient future for all. At COP30, Indigenous Peoples are using their presence to spark conversations and advocate for meaningful change in climate policy. Instead of traditional podium speeches, they are opting for more informal interactions like bilateral meetings, coffee chats, and hallway discussions with delegations. This approach, according to Ghazali Ohorella of IIPFCC, allows for a more personal and impactful exchange of ideas.
However, there is a challenge in navigating the intergovernmental nature of the UNFCCC and managing expectations around the perceived Indigenous focus of COP30. This discrepancy between expectations and actual opportunities for influence can lead to frustration among Indigenous representatives. While there may be opportunities for Indigenous voices to be heard, the true measure of success lies in the tangible impact on future climate goals reflected in the final texts.
Ohorella emphasizes that the goal should not be merely symbolic gestures or photo ops with Indigenous peoples, but rather concrete actions and commitments to address climate change. The focus should be on the outcomes of the negotiations and the extent to which Indigenous perspectives are incorporated into the decision-making process. As Ohorella puts it, “We are not here for theater.”
In conclusion, Indigenous Peoples at COP30 are working to ensure that their voices are heard and that their demands are taken seriously. By engaging in meaningful discussions and advocating for concrete action, they are striving to make a real difference in the fight against climate change.
