Climate change and indigenous peoples: protection and struggle for climate justice 

By Purple Romero

 

Indigenous peoples from all over the world had been advocating for a rights-based approach to climate change policies and programmes—fighting for their rights to land, territories and resources.

 

As the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 21^st Conference of Parties (COP21) summit in Paris approaches, indigenous peoples are once again highlighting key threats to forests and indigenous peoples’ rights.

 

REDD+ funds should be ‘set aside for land titling’

 

“I know Jose and others who have died in the war…I’m wondering who’s next?”

This is what Jeanne Sharon Atkinson, president of the Amerindian Peoples Association said in a 2014 public hearing of experiences of indigenous peoples who have protested against alleged activities of deforestation. Atkinson was referring to Jose Isidro Tendetza Azun, the Ecuadorian indigenous leader who was allegedly killed in his struggle against mining in Mirador, home to the Shuar tribe. His body was found on Dec.6, 2014.

 

It’s been a year now since Azun’s death, but those who were behind his alleged killing have yet to be brought to justice.

 

The tribal leader’s death brought into the fore problems and issues regarding the protection of indigenous peoples, a key part of the UN mandate and an important consideration in the UN climate change talks. The Cancun safeguards for REDD+ (Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation), includes the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in REDD+, a voluntary mechanism that compensates developing countries for the sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks. The Cancun safeguards, which were adopted in 2011, also called for respecting the rights and knowledge of indigenous peoples and strengthening land security.

 

The UN climate change negotiations in Lima, Peru, however saw setbacks on these fronts – Atkinson said that the failure of countries to agree on the need for additional guidance in the REDD+ Safeguards Information System did not help their cause for transparency, while a principal scientist from the Center of International Forestry pointed out at the sidelines of COP20 (20^th Conference of Parties) that land tenure has not advanced significantly in the past years.

 

At the climate change intersessionals in Bonn, Germany, in June 2015, the proposal for additional guidance on REDD+ SIS was shut down. The inclusion of a clear reference to human rights in the new climate agreement continue to be a big battle, however, one that has to be addressed as more than 190 countries head to Paris, France for COP21 from Nov.30-Dec.11.

 

Atkinson talked about the related challenges that indigenous peoples in Guyana face and how the UN climate change talks can raise the necessary impetus for changes.

 

Q & A with Atkinson on criminalization of indigenous movements

 

Question: In what capacity do you know Jose Jose Isidro Tendetza Azun?

Atkinson: We’ve met at international forums and related events. He was an exception because he was always in touch with the grassroots people of Ecuador.

 

What causes did you both fight for?

Atkinson: We want to see the protection of our way of lives, and the forests and natural resources are integral to that. Without security of our lands, will not continue to live.

 

The extractive industries whether [they are involved in] gas, uranium or bauxite production, they use machineries that destroy the land and when there are spills or accidents caused by their technology, biodiversity suffers, ecosystem suffers.

 

How could land tenure enhance the protection of your forest and your rights too?

Atkinson: The security of tenure or land titling can spell out clearly that indigenous peoples are owners of these lands and that there are systems to ensure that waterways, forests and animals are not destroyed.

Land security is important because it means we will continue to safeguard and own the lands.

 

What is the process of land titling in Guyana?

Our process is a governmental process. When the British handed over the rule of our country to the Guyananese, there was a clause in the Independence agreement of 1966 that indigenous peoples should be given land titles. Then we have succession of two political parties, there were different presidents but the situation is all the same.

 

It’s not becoming better. Indigenous people have been taken into court by miners because the legislation says miners’ rights supersede our rights.

 

Why is this so?

Our titled documents say we own these lands save and except those persons who have lands within that area prior to that title coming into existence. My map will show land titles but there are major logging concessions within that area. It makes no sense. You receive a paper but there is no substance.

 

How can REDD+ safeguards be used to support land titling in Guyana?

The government is saying there is not enough money to support land titling but we don’t think it’s true. We feel that the money from the REDD+ funds should not seek to displace people, it should not seek to undermine the way of life of indigenous people. Money should be set aside to ensure that land titling happens and governments should meet at roundtable discussions with indigenous people. Sit with us talk, with us and let us resolve these issues.

 

What should COP21 produce to ensure that your other rights are respected?

The countries should have systems of transparency and for addressing grievances or reports. There should be proper evaluation. From what we’ve been hearing from countries, including my country, they say we don’t need additional guidance, we don’t need any further discussion.

We think REDD+ could be helpful to indigenous peoples if indigenous peoples are consulted, informed. But we need to know what our government is doing with all the money coming in to the country.