By: Denisse Linares – DAR
The Amazon is one of the most important biomes for the survival of humanity. However, it is suffering an unprecedented climate crisis, due to the high rates of deforestation, which involves territorial disputes that have put the lives of environmental and indigenous defenders at risk. Faced with this, it is urgent to change the form of planning as a country, where the presence of the private sector must be carried out under conditions of responsibility and respect for indigenous peoples.
About the IDB loan
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a loan to the Peruvian Government for US $ 50 million, called “Program to promote the financing of private investment in the Peruvian Amazon: Opportunity to leverage the Bioeconomy “. The loan will benefit small, medium and large producers; and it will be administered by the Development Finance Corporation (COFIDE). According to the IDB, the program, through the bioeconomy, is aligned with the Peruvian government’s efforts to reduce deforestation.
In its diagnosis, the IDB refers mainly to the situation of poverty in which the Amazonian regions find themselves, so it aims to eliminate barriers to access credit in bio-businesses, as an alternative solution, but does not indicate how this would contribute to the fight against climate change. Therefore, it is important to analyze the risks and opportunities of the loan in relation to the climate crisis and respect for indigenous rights.
Without a doubt, one of the problems to be faced in the Amazon regions is poverty. Bio-businesses could contribute to improving the situation, provided that local development is prioritized and that they are economically sustainable. However, the IDB notes that currently It is not possible to determine the exclusion of the communities from the benefits of the project. This would go against the objective of the program, since the largest population in poverty is indigenous peoples. In this sense, it is necessary for the IDB to ensure criteria for indigenous peoples to access loans.
The IDB notes that there are possible impacts due to poor implementation by producers, and conflicts over land and resources. Faced with this, it is necessary for the IDB and COFIDE to work with MINAM and its affiliated institutions, as well as indigenous peoples, civil society and academia, ensuring the fair distribution of benefits, implementing the strategic environmental assessment; and collect the life plans of indigenous peoples, among others.
The loan must also ensure that monocultures will not be included [1], as they are the main cause of deforestation [2], so that it presents real solutions against the climate crisis, avoiding agribusiness of this type.
On the other hand, the loan indicates that currently It is not possible to determine whether they will finance subprojects that generate involuntary resettlement and effects on indigenous peoples. In this regard, the IDB must ensure respect for life, territory, and prior consultation with indigenous peoples. Let us remember that Peru is one of the most dangerous countries to defend nature. Therefore, the program has the responsibility of not intensifying the threats and contributing to improve the situation.
Finally, the IDB loan must act responsibly in the face of the problems indigenous peoples are facing in the Amazon, prioritizing local benefits and making real progress in the fight against the activities that have exacerbated the climate crisis.
[1] Taken from: Ombudsman’s Office Report
[2] See study
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Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
