Brazil, the host of COP30, has designated 10 new Indigenous territories amidst rising protests at the climate summit. This decision enables legal protections for these areas, including parts of the Amazon, although enforcement remains a concern.
The announcement aligns with previous actions taken by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose administration recognized Indigenous claims to 11 territories last year. The formalization of these territories will be made through a presidential decree.
Protestors at COP30 have rallied for greater recognition of Indigenous rights, carrying messages advocating for 'demarcation now.' These protests have intensified, prompting increased security measures at the conference, with armed personnel deployed at entrances, impacting many Indigenous representatives who lack accreditation to attend.
More than 200 human rights organizations have criticized the heightened security measures, suggesting they contribute to a trend of silencing dissent regarding land rights and environmental protection.
Historically, the recognition of Indigenous reserves has been instrumental in prohibiting activities such as mining and logging to combat deforestation. Research indicates that expanding protected Indigenous lands could prevent up to 20% of further deforestation, a significant contribution to combating climate change.
The newly established territories will support Indigenous peoples including the Mura, Tupinambá de Olivença, Pataxó, Guarani-Kaiowá, Munduruku, Pankará, and Guarani-Mbya, and encompass crucial biodiversity areas overlapping with the Amazon National Park.
On Indigenous Peoples' Day at COP30, the Brazilian government reaffirmed its commitment to Indigenous rights, reversing policies from the Bolsonaro administration, which often undermined these protections. Lula's government has also initiated measures to expel illegal miners from Indigenous territories.
As negotiations at COP30 advance, countries focus on strategies to limit global temperature rises to mitigate the severe impacts predicted by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Brazilian Indigenous lands cover approximately 117.4 million hectares, vital for climate stability.
