COP27: Who listens to indigenous people?

Written by Marisol García Apagueño, president of the Federation of Indigenous Kichwa people in Chazuta, Amazonas (FEPIKECHA). This article was first published in Signos magazine (from the Institute Bartolomé de las Casas and the Center for Studies and Publications) in January 2023, Edition XLII. 

After the end of the 27th World Climate Summit, held from 6 to 18 November in Egypt, progress is not at all encouraging in terms of curbing the climate crisis, especially if we focus on our Amazon region, where problems such as deforestation in the heart of the planet continue to worsen.

 

I participated in the COP representing Peru, but above all representing our indigenous peoples and the 11 affiliated native communities, but the experience has been a challenge. Despite our efforts to bring and share the serious problems of our territory, we indigenous people only participated as observers. The intention of being part of this summit was to make visible our arduous work of defence, resistance and care of our Amazonia in order to give an early warning and try to stop deforestation, land trafficking, coca leaf cultivation, as well as to encourage reforestation with fruit trees and the healing of our waters, which provides a respite to our Amazonian ecosystems. However, we are not recognised and are excluded in the management and administration of protected areas by the Peruvian Ministry of Environment, The Peruvian Protected National Areas Service (SERNANP) and CIMA, the conservation NGO.

They talk about funds, about loss and damage for the countries that are suffering from climate impacts, but they do not talk about how to solve the problems they expose us to. They do not talk about mechanisms for how the money will reach the communities, they do not have an opinion on land titling for indigenous peoples, but they do talk about increasing monocultures and their production. They are not consistent and are not willing to give in or listen to indigenous representatives; but above all they are not aware that we are in a serious climate crisis, that we have no time left and that we have already crossed the red line from which there is no return.

COP27 leaves us with a bitter taste full of frustration and impotence because we have to travel so far carrying the voices of men and women, the desolation of our elders and the uncertainty of our children for the future that awaits them. There are so many things to consider, such as: How many more COPs will be held to sign agreements on real solutions? Why hold it in Egypt where freedom of expression is condemned? Aren't the same companies that are killing us sponsoring this space? Why will COP28 be in Dubai? Was the COP invented to generate more income for airlines, hotels and sponsors, but not to find a solution to the climate crisis?

Our ancestors with their philosophy of life were the creators of nature-based solutions and passed on to us all that knowledge to use nature in a sustainable way. But today, a way of legalising pollution has been found that bears the same name: "Nature-based solutions", which allows companies to wash their image and not assume their responsibilities to mitigate or curb pollution as they do with the sale of carbon credits. As an indigenous person, I also wanted to do this at COP27 without success. Unfortunately, we will continue to participate in more editions until we are heard or until there is interest in listening to new proposals put forward by indigenous peoples. How long will we continue to participate as observers, when will we be seated in the decision-making spaces?

Companies must pay for their pollution and commit to migrate to clean and renewable energy. Only then will we start talking about real climate solutions.