Indigenous groups at COP push for ’emergency’ protections – National Observer

December 9th 2019

Indigenous groups are working to ensure references to human and Indigenous rights are included in Article 6 at the Conference of the Parties (COP) 25 in Madrid this week. Article 6 is the last article left to be negotiated from the Paris Accord, and it’s complex and contentious. It defines how countries will reduce emissions by using international carbon markets. If a high emissions country struggles to meet its emission targets, or nationally determined contributions( NDCs) it can purchase credits from a lesser emitting country or one that has excess credits, to balance it out.

COP participating states call it a win-win, but Indigenous groups are worried.

Indigenous Peoples want the text of Article 6 to be tailored so their rights aren’t trampled in the race to financially offset carbon emissions. The worry is that private sector and government interests could sweep in and cash in on Indigenous lands and territories – some of the last pristine areas on earth – which are vast and brimming with deep carbon sinks, areas that suck up CO2.

Representatives from the Indigenous Climate Action Youth delegation made up of Denesułįné, Cree, Coast Salish, Tla’amin and Nuu-Chah-Nulth Indigenous peoples, with the support of the USA SustainUs Indigenous youth delegation, hand-delivered a letter to the Canadian delegation at the COP on Thursday.

Read More: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2019/12/09/news/indigenous-groups-cop-push-emergency-protections