Politicians, philanthropists and indigenous communities seek to join forces to reduce the effects of climate change.
In the framework of the International Summit on Climate Change in Glasgow, Scotland, the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, the United States and the Netherlands, in collaboration with 17 donors, announced the investment of $ 1.7 billion to help the indigenous communities and local populations that promote the protection of the biodiversity of tropical forests, which are vital to protect the planet from climate change, biodiversity loss and the risk of pandemics.
“We demonstrate our commitment today by announcing a collective, initial commitment of at least $ 1.7 billion in funding to support the advancement of forest tenure rights for indigenous peoples and local communities and increased recognition and rewards for their role as guardians of the forests and nature ”, states in a statement published on November 1 by donors.
“We call on other donors to significantly increase their support for this important agenda,” it was said.
This announcement is key to reinforcing the efforts made by indigenous peoples and local communities that manage half of the world’s lands and take care of 80% of the Earth’s biodiversity, it was highlighted.
The support seeks to tip the balance of the situation that has been experienced in recent years and that is reflected in a recent study, which shows that “indigenous communities and organizations receive less than 1% of the financing for the climate destined to reduce deforestation ”.
“This promise underscores our commitment to protecting the world’s tropical forests and those who live in them,” said Lord Goldsmith, UK Minister of State for the Pacific and the Environment.
“There is overwhelming evidence that indigenous peoples and local communities are the most effective guardians of forests, in many cases facing situations of grave danger and should therefore be at the core of nature-based solutions to the emergency. climatic. By investing in tropical forest communities and expanding their communal rights, we will also combat poverty, pollution and pandemics. “
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Philanthropic groups joining the new commitment at a watershed moment in tackling the climate crisis include the Ford Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, the Christensen Fund, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Sobrato Philanthropies, the Good Energies Foundation, the Oak Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and, as members of the Protecting our Planet Challenge, Arcadia, Bezos Earth Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Nia Tero , Rainforest Trust, Re: wild, the Wyss Foundation, and the Rob and Melani Walton Foundation.
“For years, only about $ 270 million of climate finance has been dedicated to protecting forests each year, but indigenous peoples and local communities who directly protect the world’s forests receive only $ 46 million,” it said. adds in a press release.
Researchers suggest that forests can contribute up to 37% to climate change mitigation.
In his presentation of the World Leaders Summit, Tuntiak Katan, a member of the Shuar people of Ecuador and an indigenous leader representing the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities, said that 12.2 million hectares of forest were cut down in the country, in the 2020. The leader noted that the new commitments to protect tropical forests and their guardians will require “significant political will on the part of governments and the support of global economic and political sectors.”
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“We have the best carbon capture technology our planet has to offer: our forests,” said Katan, who is part of an alliance that brings together elected leaders from the world’s largest expanses of forests in Indonesia, Africa and Latin America and represents some 35 million inhabitants of forest forests.
“Work to protect the future of the planet will only be successful in collaboration with indigenous peoples and local communities. We want to work with you to transform this world and change people’s hearts. We are the solution they are looking for ”, concluded the leader. (I)
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