The ‘carbon pirates’ preying on Amazon’s Indigenous communities

number of Indigenous communities in the Amazon say that “carbon pirates” have become a threat to their way of life as western companies seek to secure deals in their territories for offsetting projects.

Across the world’s largest rainforest, Indigenous leaders say they are being approached by carbon offsetting firms promising significant financial benefits from the sale of carbon credits if they establish new projects on their lands, as the $2bn (£1.6bn) market booms with net zero commitments from companies in Europe and North America.

A huge global expansion of protected areas during this decade was agreed by governments at last month’s Cop15 biodiversity summit with a target to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030. The agreement puts respect for Indigenous rights and territories at its heart amid fears of land grabs.

Proponents of carbon markets, especially those that aim to protect rainforests, say that carbon credits are a good way to fund the new areas and pay Indigenous communities for the stewardship of their lands, as they have been shown to be the best protectors of forest and vital ecosystems. The resulting credits could then be used for climate commitments by western companies.

Many believe that although carbon credits are not perfect, they can provide the vital finance these projects need. Johan Rockström, chief scientist at Conservation International, which manages a number of carbon offsetting projects, recently told the Guardian: “On the one hand, carbon offsetting is necessary, and has positive potentials of providing incentives and thereby generating much needed investments, for example in nature climate solutions [such as forests].” On the other, he says, are the risks that people will not then make the necessary reductions in their own emissions.

The Guardian interviewed Indigenous leaders from across Latin America as part of its investigation into forest-based carbon offsetting, speaking to representatives at Cop27, Cop15, a summit of Amazon Indigenous leaders in September and during visitis to communities in Peru.

Font: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/21/amazon-indigenous-communities-carbon-offsetting-pirates-aoe