09.08.2021
International Indigenous Peoples Day: Rainforest still stores CO2 in indigenous territories
A new study shows that the Amazon rainforest is losing its function as a carbon sink and increasingly becoming a source of emissions. The study, published in Nature, confirms a development that earlier data analyses had also made clear. Yet indigenous territories in the Amazon rainforest suffer almost no carbon losses. This is shown by a study, published in PNAS, of the Amazonian civil society and the umbrella organisation of indigenous organisations of the Amazon basin (COICA). Taken together, the studies confirm the crucial role of indigenous peoples as guardians of forests and the climate.
The studies also confirm the approach of Climate Alliance, which has been promoting the importance of indigenous peoples as key actors in a global climate strategy for more than 30 years. The cities and towns of Climate Alliance already support the political involvement of indigenous peoples in international processes through their membership. Many municipalities also provide additional support for indigenous peoples, for example through Climate Alliance funds or in the form of partnerships. The network is currently developing offers for members that focus on climate impact costs as an effective alternative to the classic compensation approach.
A detailed column with further information on study data as well as Climate Alliance's offers is now available online.
Read more
- Column
- Nature Study “Amazonia as a carbon source linked to deforestation and climate change”, 2021
- PNAS Studie „The role of forest conversion, degradation, and disturb-ance in the carbon dynamics of Amazon indigenous territories and pro-tected areas”, 2020
- Climate Alliance Funds
- Global partnerships of Climate Alliance members
Photo: Unsplash
