2023-11-02 11:04:52
BRAZZAVILLE – The Three Basins Summit, which has just concluded in Brazzaville, was designed to try to create an alternative model of governance between the countries of the South, with a view to preserving the ecosystems and tropical forests of the three forest basins. Although the summit declaration represents an important step towards defining this alternative governance, it has not introduced concrete actions for the protection and restoration of biodiversity, nor for the rights of indigenous peoples and other traditional communities. living in these regions.
Instead, discussions focused on the highly controversial carbon markets, seen as the main financial mechanism for protecting and restoring tropical forests. But if they become the main tool for financing the protection of biodiversity, carbon markets will only reinforce the commodification of nature and violations of human rights.
Romulo Batista, Campaigner at Greenpeace Brazil: “Indigenous peoples and traditional populations have, for generations, been the main protectors of these vital ecosystems for humanity. For a just, clean and sustainable future, we must move beyond the destructive extractivist economic model and move to one where indigenous peoples and traditional communities are not only invited to participate in multilateral forums such as the Three Basins Summit, but where their knowledge and leadership are key elements in decision-making. »
Irène Wabiwa, international project manager for the Congo Basin at Greenpeace Africa: “Greenpeace Africa regrets that carbon markets have been acclaimed as the solution to reduce emissions and restore forests. In reality, carbon markets simply provide life insurance for high-polluting companies to maintain their harmful practices, profits and influence on climate and biodiversity policies. The key to real climate solutions and biodiversity protection lies in the promotion and implementation of non-market, state-led, regulated, accessible and predictable solutions, and which integrate the rights and roles of indigenous peoples and local communities. These solutions include progressive taxation, international cooperation, redress and an end to perverse subsidies. »
Arie Rompas, Forests Campaigner at Greenpeace Indonesia: “To protect and restore forests, we must protect the rights of indigenous peoples and other communities on the front lines of the impacts of climate change by supporting rights-based approaches, by financing, for example, initiatives such as community forest management.” Greenpeace Indonesia regrets the absence of the Indonesian government at the Summit, and deplores that the voices and role of indigenous peoples and other traditional communities were not sufficiently heard and recognized at the Summit when establishing a road map aimed at protecting and restoring the biodiversity of the ecosystems of the three forest basins. »
Victorine Che Thoener, Forests Campaigner at Greenpeace International and head of the Greenpeace delegation in Brazzaville: “There is so much untapped potential for stronger South-South collaboration in the development and implementation of the agenda global climate and biodiversity policy. The three-basin countries must take a leading political role, ensuring that the three-basin initiative is strengthened and, beyond the summit, that concrete agreements are reached and implemented on the ground . Additionally, political leaders must collaborate with civil society organizations, social movements, indigenous peoples and traditional communities, as well as women and youth. With this in mind, innovative financing mechanisms should focus on non-market approaches, such as financing and supporting community forest management, and international cooperation. »
To be effective, climate action requires an effective reduction of emissions, which will not be possible if mechanisms such as carbon offsets continue to exist and be encouraged. Greenpeace emphasizes the need to prioritize the rights of indigenous peoples and traditional communities, particularly their land rights, and to use non-market approaches to preserve and restore the biodiversity of the ecosystems of the three basins.
Despite an ambitious initiative, Greenpeace notes the lack of tangible results from the Three Basins Summit in implementing concrete actions to protect tropical forests and the livelihoods of the 1.5 billion indigenous people and traditional communities that live in these regions. We anticipate the establishment of a committee that will continue to process the outcomes of the Summit and we urge this committee to include a broad range of representatives from different groups and interests, ensuring that the process of Decision-making takes into account the diverse needs and concerns of all stakeholders.
Source: Greenpeace Africa press release, 01.11.23
#Basins #Summit #ends #concrete #action #neglects #rights #indigenous #populations #Greenpeace #Africa