Indigenous communities in Brazil assert that they were not consulted regarding carbon credit initiatives

Indigenous organizations in Brazil's Para state have stated that they were not consulted by the government prior to its agreement with multinational companies to sell carbon offset credits aimed at conserving the Amazon rainforest.

Last month, Amazon.com Inc and other companies committed to purchasing carbon credits valued at $180 million through the LEAF Coalition conservation initiative, which was established in 2021 with various businesses and governments, including the U.S. and the U.K.

At the time, Para Governor Helder Barbalho claimed that the deal involved the participation of Indigenous peoples and traditional communities. However, on Tuesday, 38 Indigenous and community organizations from Para released a public letter condemning his failure to consult them.

In the letter, they stated, "It is unacceptable for the government of Para to make decisions without consulting traditional communities, who are the greatest protectors of the forests while also being the most affected by the lack of effective climate adaptation policies." They further asserted, "Forest peoples must be heard and consulted. Our territories are not for sale."

Alessandra Korap Munduruku, a tribal leader and principal author of the letter, expressed concern over the involvement of U.S.-based companies like Amazon and Walmart in the carbon credit deal. She remarked, "Our priority is the eviction of invaders on our reservation lands that are threatened by miners and a grain railway. Our leaders were never consulted on the carbon credits. We are being sold like goods."

The governor's office has not yet responded to requests for comment. Korap Munduruku, an Indigenous teacher turned community leader, won the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in 2023 for her efforts to persuade mining companies to vacate Munduruku lands.

The agreement marks LEAF's first transaction in the Amazon, which is crucial for mitigating climate change due to its significant greenhouse gas absorption. The deal anticipates the purchase of up to 12 million tons of carbon credits generated by decreasing deforestation in Para between 2023 and 2026. It was announced on September 24 during New York Climate Week.

Each credit signifies a reduction of one metric ton of carbon emissions, and they are jurisdictional, meaning Para receives payments for reducing deforestation throughout the state, including on public lands like reservations.

Governor Barbalho stated that the state would only keep the necessary portion of the sales proceeds to continue its greenhouse gas reduction efforts, while the remainder would be allocated to Indigenous peoples, traditional communities, and family farms.

Para is set to host the UN COP30 climate summit next year, which is a key element of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's strategy to restore Brazil's environmental reputation following years of rising deforestation.