Indigenous Groups in Brazil Oppose Government's Sale of Carbon Credits

Photo: Reuters 

Indigenous organizations in the Brazilian state of Para have raised concerns regarding the government's recent agreement with multinational companies to sell carbon offset credits aimed at supporting the conservation of the Amazon rainforest. These groups claim they were not consulted prior to the signing of the deal, which is seen as a significant oversight given their role as traditional guardians of the land.

Last month, companies entered into an agreement to purchase carbon credits valued at $180 million through the LEAF Coalition conservation initiative. This initiative was established in 2021 by a coalition of companies and governments to promote rainforest conservation through the purchase of carbon credits.

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Governor Helder Barbalho of Para announced at the time that the agreement included the participation of Indigenous peoples and traditional communities. However, this assertion has been contested by the Indigenous groups.

On Tuesday, 38 Indigenous and community organizations from Para signed a public letter condemning the government’s lack of consultation with them regarding the carbon credit deal. In the letter, they stated, “It is unacceptable for the government of Para to take decisions without consulting traditional communities, who are the greatest protectors of the forests while also being the most impacted by the lack of effective climate adaptation policies.”

The letter further emphasized that "forest peoples must be heard and consulted" and firmly declared, “Our territories are not for sale.”

Alessandra Korap Munduruku, a tribal leader and the principal author of the letter, expressed her alarm regarding the involvement of U.S.-based companies in the carbon credit purchase. “Our priority is the eviction of invaders on our reservation lands that are threatened by miners and a grain railway,” she stated in a telephone interview. “Our leaders were never consulted on the carbon credits. We are being sold like goods.”

Despite multiple requests for comments, the governor's office has not responded to the concerns raised by the Indigenous groups.

This agreement marks the LEAF Coalition's first deal in the Amazon, a critical ecosystem in the fight against climate change due to its capacity to absorb vast amounts of greenhouse gases. The deal outlines the purchase of up to 12 million tons of carbon credits that will be generated by reducing deforestation in Para from 2023 to 2026. This announcement was made during New York Climate Week on September 24.

Each carbon credit represents a reduction of one metric ton of carbon emissions. The credits are jurisdictional, meaning that Para will receive compensation for efforts to reduce deforestation across the entire state, including on public lands like reservations.

Governor Barbalho has stated that the state intends to utilize only the necessary portion of the sales proceeds to fund its initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The remainder of the funds will reportedly be allocated to Indigenous peoples, traditional communities, and family farms in the region.