Brazil creates new indigenous territories after COP30 protests

The Brazilian government has created 10 new indigenous territories after protesters urged action at the COP30 climate summit in the Brazilian city of Belém.

The designation means these areas, including parts of the Amazon, will have their culture and environment protected under Brazilian law – although this is not always enforced.

This follows a similar move by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose government last year recognized 11 territories owned by indigenous peoples. The latest measures were formalized through a presidential decree.

Meanwhile, thousands of people protested at the United Nations’ annual climate conference, some holding signs reading “Draw borders now.”

Earlier last week, demonstrators – some from indigenous groups – carrying signs reading “Our forests are not for sale” stormed the hilltop and clashed with security personnel.

Past recognition of Aboriginal protected areas Mining and logging banned, and commercial farming restrictedin the areas they cover to prevent deforestation.

Expanding the total area of ​​indigenous territories could prevent up to 20% additional deforestation and reduce carbon emissions by 26% by 2030, according to a study by the Brazilian Federation of Indigenous Peoples, the Amazon Environmental Research Institute and the Indigenous Peoples Committee on Climate Change.

Pages, Panaxó, Pankaya, Pankambá de Olivença.

One area overlaps by more than 78% with the Amazon National Park, part of a biodiverse rainforest that plays a vital role in regulating the global climate and storing carbon.

The Brazilian government made the announcement on Monday at COP30, the Day of Indigenous Peoples.

The report said no new indigenous lands had been declared since 2018, before leftist Lula returned to office.

Under his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, who promoted mining on indigenous lands, the protections offered to them were often not enforced.

lula government Action has been taken before Drive illegal miners off indigenous lands.

Currently, indigenous lands cover 117.4 million hectares, roughly the size of Colombia and approximately 13.8% of Brazil’s territory.

Brazil is home to hundreds of indigenous groups, according to the country’s census.

The Amazon rainforest is already in danger Deforestation is surging again as efforts to overturn a key ban protecting forests intensify. Dense and healthy forestry helps absorb carbon from the atmosphere.

Carbon released from the burning of fossil fuels contributes to climate change.

Countries are coming together at the COP30 conference to try to agree on how to limit the rise in global average temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and “well below” 2 degrees Celsius.

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stated that a large amount of scientific evidence shows that an increase in temperature of 2 degrees Celsius or above will bring serious consequences, including extreme heat, rising sea levels and threats to food security.