Archive for the ‘UN-REDD’ Category

Earth Peoples contre l’introduction de la compensation “forêts” dans le marché carbone californien

Friday, May 17th, 2013

Contre l’introduction de la compensation “forêts” dans le marché carbone californien

Monsieur le Gouverneur Brown,

Nous vous écrivons pour vous exhorter de ne pas inclure le mécanismes de compensations internationales REDD + (Réduction des émissions dues à la déforestation et à la dégradation des forêts) dans le marché carbone en Californie. Les systèmes de marché carbone n’ont pas réussi à réduire les émissions alors que les projets de compensation ont constamment ignoré les droits des communautés locales et sont intrinsèquement viciés. Les organisations soussignées envoient cette lettre pour alerter contre l’inclusion de crédits REDD + qui ne manqueront pas d’aggraver les conflits environnementaux et sociaux.

Les premières tentatives pour inclure les forêts dans les marchés carbone soutenus par l’ONU ont conduit à d’importants débats techniques. Les crédits forêts internationaux REDD + ont été jusqu’à présent rejetés dans les négociations climatiques de l’ONU et exclus du marché carbone européen de l’Union européenne (EU ETS) pour de bonnes raisons. Des problèmes techniques non résolus, y compris l’additionnalité (qui prouve que la zone forestière n’aurait pas été protégée sans), les ‘fuites’ (les destructeurs de la forêt passant à un autre domaine), la permanence (les arbres ne stockent pas le carbone en permanence), la mesure (très complexe et incertaine car elle repose sur la diversité des variables biologiques) et la temporalité (les émissions et les absorptions peuvent encore survenir plusieurs années après qu’un projet arrive à terme). Outre ces incertitudes techniquesles causes sous-jacentes de la déforestationrestent largement ignorées tandis que la responsabilité de réduire les émissions à la source est édulcorée.

En raison de ces problèmes, introduire les mécanismes internationaux de compensations forêt dans le cadre du marché carbone en Californie augmenterait probablement les émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES) relatives aux objectifs AB32 plutôt que de les diminuer, puisque les industries polluantes achètent des droits pour accroître leurs émissions. Cela reviendrait àexposer les communautés à faible revenu qui vivent à proximité des installations industrielles en Californie à des problèmes environnementaux et de santé encore plus importants. Alors que de nombreux peuples autochtones et des communautés tributaires des forêts qui vivent dans le Sud ont très peu de titres officiels sécurisant pour leurs terres, REDD + va alimenter la spéculation, augmenter la pression sur les droits fonciers et déposséder les populations locales. Ces risques sont aggravés par l’inclusion de la monoculture dans la définition standard des Nations Unies de ce que constitue une forêt.

Les forêts riches en biodiversité ont une signification unique pour ceux qui y vivent et en dépendent pour leur subsistance et leur survie culturelle. Les projets REDD+ font peser de graves préoccupations en termes de violations des droits humains et environnementaux et ont conduit à ce que des peuples autochtones et des communautés locales dans le Chiapas (Mexique) et dans la région Acre (Brésil) s’y opposent (ce sont les deux régions où les pollueurs de la Californie achèteraient ces crédits internationaux). Réduire les forêts à de seuls puits de carbone fait courrir d’énormes dangers. Les luttes pour la terre s’intensifient à mesure que les droits sur les terres sont séparés des droits d’accès et d’usage d’autres éléments de la nature.


Le gouvernement du Chiapas au Mexique, promeut par exemple un projet REDD + pilote dans la forêt tropicale Lacandon sur plus de sept réserves naturelles. Afin d’être «prêt pour REDD +», le gouvernement doit prouver que les zones à partir desquelles des certificats de carbone seraient générés sont sous une protection environnementale. A cet effet, la Commission nationale adéjà déplacé plusieurs communautés locales en utilisant des expulsions forcées et des pressions économiques en dépit de fortes résistances.

En outre, l’expansion des monocultures d’agrocarburants est une autre raison de l’empressement du gouvernement du Chiapas. Un programme d’Etat, intitulé “Reconversion productive de l’agriculture», finance les communautés locales de la jungle Lacandon pour planter des palmiers africains et de plants de jatropha pour les agrocarburants qui sont envahissants, qui détruisent les forêts locales et créent des dépendances économiques qui écrasent l’autonomie locale. Le Chiapas est l’État au Mexique avec la plus grande zone de plantation de palmiers, situés sur les bords de zones naturelles protégées, et ces monocultures utilisent de grandes quantités de pesticides qui polluent les sols et l’eau et nuisent gravement à la santé des populations locales. Une fois de plus: les plantations ne sont pas des forêts!

La Californie devrait appliquer des politiques qui s’attaquent aux causes profondes de la déforestation et du changement climatique afin d’entamer une transition vers une ère post-fossile. Les politiques fondées sur la justice sociale et environnementale doivent garantir que les pollueurs soient tenus responsables de leurs émissions de GES et de la destruction de l’environnement, tout en faisant en sorte qu’elles bénéficient aux communautés vulnérables et à faible revenu. Nous vous demandons de maintenir le système international REDD + hors du marché carbone californien. En outre, nous vous recommandons respectueusement de regarder attentivement la façon dont le marché carbone européen a échoué, comme une préfiguration de ce qui pourrait advenir marché carbone en Californie. Commercer les émissions de carbone n’est PAS une solution au changement climatique.

Cordialement,

- Aliança RECOs – Redes de Cooperação Comunitária Sem Fronteiras (Brazil)

- Movimento Mulheres pela P@Z! (Brazil)

- ITEREI

- Friends of the Earth International

- Centro de referência do movimento da cidadania pelas águas florestas e montanhas Iguassu ITEREI

- Plataforma Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, Democracia y Desarrollo (PIDHDD)

- Terræ Organização da Sociedade Civil (Brazil)

- Carbon Trade Watch

- FERN

- Common

- Attac France

- The Corner House

- Centre for Civil Society Environmental Justice Project (Durban, South Africa)

- Earth Peoples

COONAPIP, Panama’s Indigenous Peoples Coordinating Body, withdraws from UN-REDD

Friday, April 5th, 2013


By Chris Lang, 6th March 2013

COONAPIP, the National Coordinating Body of Indigenous Peoples in Panama, has withdrawn from the UN-REDD process in Panama. In a letter to the UN, COONAPIP explains that UN-REDD “does not currently offer guarantees for respecting indigenous rights [nor for] the full and effective participation of the Indigenous Peoples of Panama.”

In a previous letter, dated 20 June 2012, COONAPIP wrote that the process “has been riddled with incongruences and inconsistencies” and that “We feel used in this process.”

In a Resolution from a meeting on 25 February 2013, COONAPIP calls on Indigenous Peoples,

“to proceed with caution and to take the necessary measures to avoid being tricked by United Nations bodies and officials, who have the legal obligation to comply with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”

Ironically, UN-REDD recently released its
Guidelines on Free, Prior and Informed Consent.

READ entire article HERE

One of Earth Peoples co-ounder’s Hector Huertas explains the decision of indigenous peoples of Panama to withdraw from the UN-REDD process

Friday, April 5th, 2013

Below is a statement from one of Earth Peoples co-founders Hector Huertas, on behalf of the Legal Counsel to COONAPIP, explaining the decision to withdraw from the UN-REDD process

The National Coordinating Body of Indigenous Peoples of Panama (COONAPIP) is a body with representation from the seven Indigenous Peoples of Panama and was identified by the UN-REDD Programme as a key actor in planning the national REDD strategy for Panama. However, COONAPIP is concerned that in the “consultation” process both the government of Panama and UN officials refuse to comply with indigenous rights recognized by the Panamanian State and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

For example, the officials refuse to recognize that almost 76% of the forests of Panama are found in indigenous lands and territories, which Indigenous Peoples have inalienable rights to, and which are recognized by the constitution and Panamanian law. Furthermore, it is contradictory that, on one hand, the officials minimalize the importance of indigenous issues for REDD, and on the other, allow logging companies to participate.

Indigenous Peoples have made it clear that a REDD strategy must first ensure the implementation of the nationally and internationally recognized rights of Indigenous Peoples. However, the UN-REDD officials say that it is not a priority of the Programme to help secure the land rights of Indigenous Peoples who do not have collective deeds and whose land has had protected areas superimposed upon them.

With regards to the issue of full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples, the UN officials and the Panamanian government are dividing indigenous communities with money from the Programme to force supposed consultations. This unethical and reprehensible procedure prompted COONAPIP to stop participating in a process whose objective is to privatize the forests of Panama in violation of the Panamanian constitution and laws, and allow the State to cash in on carbon credits in utter contempt for the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Hector Huertas, Esquire
Legal Counsel of COONAPIP

REDD+ Offsets Don’t Add Up

Friday, April 5th, 2013


New Food & Water Europe Report Shows Why Use of International Forest Offsets Won’t Reduce Carbon Emissions

Brussels — Developments in the United States may lead to the adoption of international forest offsets being permitted in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). California’s newly launched carbon market is considering allowing offsets from REDD+ programs while at the same time the state is considering linking its market with the EU’s. California would be the first carbon market to allow international forest offsets. A new report, Bad Trade: International Forest Offsets and the Carbon Market, released by Food & Water Europe today, demonstrates that international forest offsets should not be allowed into any carbon market because they don’t encourage emission reductions at the source, but instead privatize natural resources, present opportunities for corrupt offset trading, and threaten the livelihoods and resources of indigenous communities.

Forest offsets would allow for a polluter in one location to pay for the protection of a section of forest in another location anywhere in the world, based on the idea that trees, which absorb carbon, can offset the emissions of the polluter. This methodology puts a financial value on the prevention of deforestation and degradation, essentially turning areas in countries with heavy forest cover into a financial opportunity for corporate greed.

REDD+ offsets lead to the financialization and privatization of nature. In addition, forests usurped into REDD+ programs become off-limits to the indigenous communities that have lived there for decades and have sustainably managed the forests without financial incentives.

“California’s attempts to allow international forest offsets could force Europe to adopt the same standards,” said Gabriella Zanzanaini, Director of European Affairs for Food & Water Europe. “Linking carbon markets to international forest offsets is essentially financializing nature, which could lead to corporate and governmental land grabs, displacement of indigenous peoples from their homes, and possibly the creation of a counterfeit offset market that grants credits without actually protecting forests.”

You can view the Food & Water Europe report here

Food & Water Europe is a program of Food & Water Watch, Inc., a non-profit consumer NGO based in Washington, D.C., working to ensure clean water and safe food in Europe and around the world. We challenge the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources by empowering people to take action and transforming the public consciousness about what we eat and drink.

Africans Unite against New Form of Colonialism: No REDD Network Born

Monday, April 1st, 2013

No REDD pencil (Photo © Rebecca Sommer)

No REDD pencil - Earth Peoples

Outraged by the rampant land grabs and neocolonialism of REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest degradation), Africans at the World Social Forum in Tunisia took the historic decision to launch the No REDD in Africa Network and join the global movement against REDD.

REDD+ is a carbon offset mechanism whereby industrialized Northern countries use forests, agriculture, soils and even water as sponges for their pollution instead of reducing greenhouse gas emissions at source.
“REDD is no longer just a false solution but a new form of colonialism,” denounced Nnimmo Bassey, Alternative Nobel Prize Laureate, former Executive Director of ERA/Friends of the Earth Nigeria. “In Africa, REDD+ is emerging as a new form of colonialism, economic subjugation and a driver of land grabs so massive that they may constitute a continent grab.We launch the No REDD in Africa Network to defend the continent from carbon colonialism.”
In the UN-REDD Framework Document, the United Nations itself admits that REDD could result in the “lock-up of forests,” “loss of land” and “new risks for the poor.”
REDD originally just included forests but its scope has been expanded to include soils and agriculture. In a teach-in session yesterday at the World Social Forum Tunis, members of the La Via Campesina,  the world’s largest peasant movement, were concerned that REDD projects in Africa would threaten food security and could eventually cause hunger.
A recent Via Campesina study on the N’hambita REDD project in Mozambique found that thousands of farmers were paid meager amounts for seven years for tending trees, but that because the contract is for 99 years, if the farmer dies his or her children and their children must tend the trees for free. “This constitutes carbon slavery,” denounced the emerging No REDD in Africa Network. The N’hambita project was celebrated by the UN on the website for Rio+20, the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro last year.
Mercia Andrews, Rural Women’s Assembly of Southern Africa urged “We as Africans need to go beyond the REDD problem to forging a solution.The last thing Africa needs is a new form of colonialism.”
Africans from Nigeria, South Africa, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Mozambique, Tunisia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Tanzania participated in the launch of the No REDD in Africa Network.
According the The New York Times, over 22,000 farmers with land deeds were violently evicted for a REDD-type project in Uganda in 2011 and Friday Mukamperezida, an eight-year-old boy was killed when his home was burned to the ground.
REDD and carbon forest projects are resulting in massive evictions, servitude, slavery, persecutions, killings, and imprisonment, according to the nascent No REDD in Africa Network.
“The Global Alliance of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities on Climate Change against REDD and for Life hails the birth of the NO REDD in Africa Network. This signals a growing resistance against REDD throughout the world,” Tom Goldtooth, Director of the Indigenous Environmental Network. “We know REDD could cause genocide and we are delighted that the Africans are taking a stand to stop what could be the biggest land grab of all time.”

VIDEO: The Story of REDD: A real solution or accelerator for deforestation?

Monday, March 11th, 2013

WatchVIDEO

A animated film about REDD. This film attempts to explain the key issues in a simple to understand way. Seven NGOs were involved in producing the film: Amis de la Terre, Euronatura, FERN, Forest Peoples Programme, Iroko, Pro-Regenwald, Rainforest Foundation UK, ARA and Terra! The film is posted below, with a script and links to sources below that (this is also available as a pdf file).
The video is also available in:
FrenchL’histoire de REDD: Une reelle solution a la deforestation?
SpanishLa historia de REDD.

Tierra está muriendo, Pero Movimientos Clima y Bosques Falta urgencia y Sustancias

Saturday, March 2nd, 2013

Dr. Glen Barry *

Crecimiento industrial humana está liquidando sistemáticamente los ecosistemas naturales que son el hábitat para los humanos y para toda la vida. La Tierra se está muriendo, una sesión pasada de crecimiento de los árboles y el tanque de gasolina a la vez, sin embargo, la mayoría de los grupos ambientales son soluciones chelín que son inadecuados y mal concebido - como la tala bosques maduros para protegerlos. Nada muestra esto mejor que Greenpeace y la Rainforest Action Network - en una época de extinción masiva, el cambio climático abrupto, y el colapso del ecosistema - que quieren que nos limpie el culo con papel higiénico de “certificado” pasta bosque maduro.


Una profunda falta de comprensión existe, incluso en medio del movimiento ecologista radical, supuestamente, de la gravedad de la fusión de las crisis ecológicas. Si Gaia - el sistema de la Tierra o biosfera - está viva, como la ciencia ha llegado a comprender, entonces es claro que ella puede morir como los principales ecosistemas son destruidos y no los procesos biogeoquímicos. Para sobrevivir y mucho menos prosperar, la humanidad debe dejar de raspar la tierra de la vida de la Tierra, arrojando los residuos en nuestro aire y agua, y afirmando que todo puede ser certificado como sostenible hecho, si bien llamando “desarrollo”.

El crecimiento industrial de la destrucción de los ecosistemas está socavando la habitabilidad del planeta, poniendo en peligro el mantenimiento de las condiciones necesarias para la vida, mediante la destrucción de los ecosistemas necesarios para un planeta vivo. Como los principales ecosistemas se pierden, hay indicios de humanidad pronto se extinguen, muy posiblemente tomando la biosfera y toda la vida con nosotros.

Engendra la vida la vida. Es un milagro de la naturaleza que la vida, así como en los ecosistemas, se crean las condiciones necesarias para la vida. Sin embargo, las crisis multidimensionales ecológicos - clima, bosques, agua, consumo de alimentos, la superpoblación y desigual, y otros - están socavando la vida. Una época de grandes telares que mueren como los humanos están destruyendo su hábitat, la vida de todos, y el sistema de la Tierra.
Junto bien terminamos fracking, arenas de alquitrán, hulla, de edad madura tala, la superpoblación, el consumo excesivo y desigual de una vez o los colapsos una biosfera compartidos. No sólo tenemos que protestar, pero necesitamos las soluciones adecuadas. Estos deben ser derivados de las mejores mentes ecológicos en una amplia consulta, no por hipster, no los ecologistas que han aprovechado la celebridad y dinero de las fundaciones.

Protección de los bosques primarios es una solución esencial climático está dando el ahorro a corto por el auto-nombrado, la élite de movimiento a menudo poco calificada ambiental. Rainforest Action Network y Greenpeace apoyo obstinado EE.UU. para (FSC) Forest Stewardship Council masiva del viejo-crecimiento tala - a través de un área dos veces el tamaño de Texas - para los productos de consumo de usar y tirar es un obstáculo importante para el futuro del clima. He escrito mucho, incluso a http://bit.ly/rainforest_heist, como casi todas las principales ONG greenwashes antiguo bosque de registro en lo que he denominado la “Heist Fantástico selva”.

En 2009 Lindsey Allen (ahora nuevo director Rainforest Action Network está actuando, luego con Greenpeace Canadá) se adjudicó la victoria y puso fin a una campaña en contra de Kleenex porque aceptaron que sus maduros desmontes de bosques boreales de papel higiénico certificado por FSC como sostenible. La Sra. Allen ha pasado a maquillar de verde maduros bolsas de la compra Gucci y libros de Disney con RAN. Antes de ella, Michael Brune, contador ahora jefe de Sierra Club, hizo de manera similar.

Greenpeace y RAN quiere que limpie el culo con los bosques maduros. Viejo-crecimiento tala de bosques y sus efectos terribles sobre las especies, el clima y la biosfera no tendrá fin, ya que mucho tiempo - como miembros del FSC - falsamente certificar como sustentable

Hace poco presentó un trabajo científico en Kerala, India, que está siendo preparado para su publicación, que pretende cuantificar la cantidad de ecosistemas terrestres - incluyendo bosques primarios - se puede perder sin colapso biosfera. Este es un intento de establecer un umbral de fácil comprensión para la pérdida de bosques primarios, como el límite de 350 ppm de carbono para evitar un cambio climático abrupto.

Sobre la base de un paisaje increíble métrica llamada “filtración” Mi hipótesis es que una pérdida de más del 40 por ciento de los ecosistemas terrestres a largo plazo - incluyendo los bosques de viejo crecimiento - se derrumba la biosfera. Este es el punto donde el deterioro crítico en la conectividad de ecosistemas se produce a través de la escala, desde paisajes a bioregiones y continentes, y en la biosfera. En lugar de la humanidad que existe dentro de un contexto de la naturaleza, los ecosistemas se fragmentan, desconectado, y rodeado por la humanidad.

Ahora estamos en un 50 por ciento de pérdida de ecosistemas naturales a nivel mundial. Llego a la conclusión de que la Tierra necesita para mantener las dos terceras partes de su superficie terrestre como ecosistemas naturales y seminaturales para satisfacer las necesidades locales y para mantener la sostenibilidad ecológica local y global. Junto con una serie de otros límites planetarios, como el cambio climático y la pérdida de biodiversidad, la Tierra ya está en exceso ecológico y se derrumbará a menos que tirar del borde del abismo.

Está claro que la sostenibilidad ecológica global y universal bienestar dependen críticamente sobre la protección de los bosques primarios y terminando emisiones de combustibles fósiles. Grandes, intacto, y se conecta en pie los bosques maduros son necesarios para la prosperidad local y la continuidad de los servicios del ecosistema - y para una duradera, natural evolución, la biosfera global.

Aún es posible evitar un cambio climático abrupto y colapso del ecosistema global - pero sólo si ambos dramáticamente reducir las emisiones de combustibles fósiles y proteger y restaurar los ecosistemas naturales inmediatamente. Sobre la base de la ciencia ecológica, el fin de su destrucción industrial es vital para limitar el cambio climático.

Es hora de que el movimiento climático, liderado por 350.org, para pedir la protección de los bosques de viejo crecimiento. Y para Greenpeace, RAN y otras organizaciones no gubernamentales apoyando su registro para volver a examinar su posición y dimitir de FSC.

Acabar con la pobreza no justifica el crecimiento sin fin ecocida para todos, al precio constante avance de la liquidación del viejo-crecimiento ecosistemas y ensuciamiento nuestra atmósfera, un camino imposible en un planeta finito. Más bien, el enfoque de desarrollo ecológico y socialmente sostenible debe satisfacer las necesidades básicas de algunos de los lujos de la vida para todos, con un poco más razonable para aquellos que trabajan duro y son superdotados.
Gente de la Tierra quieren la democracia universal, la libertad, la justicia económica y ecología sostenible para todos, para el mundo entero, y lo quiero ahora. Y los gobiernos y organizaciones no gubernamentales corruptos mejor que salir del camino.

Su biosfera, los bosques de viejo crecimiento, la familia humana, y especies afines que necesita. Vaya a ellos ahora.


* Dr. Glen Barry es un ecologista internacionalmente reconocida político, defensor del medio ambiente, escritor y experto en tecnología. Él es muy conocido dentro de la comunidad del medio ambiente como uno de los principales visionario ecológico global, intelectual público y crítica política ambiental. El trabajo del Dr. Barry como el presidente y fundador de Internet ecológico - el más grande de la Tierra biocéntricos portales web ecológicas de defensa - fue reconocida recientemente como una de las “25 visionarios que están cambiando su mundo” por el lector de Utne.

STATEMENT BY JOSE ANTONIO ZAMORA GUTIERREZ MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND WATER, OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA”s IN THE UN CONFERENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE COP18 IN QATA

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

DOHA, Qatar — Mr. President of the COP, distinguished Heads of State of countries of the world, Ministers, Officials, delegates and representatives of social organizations, indigenous peoples and communities and farmers of the world, receive a greeting from the Plurinational State of Bolivia and our President Evo Morales Ayma.

The planet and humanity are in serious danger of extinction. The forests are in danger, biodiversity is in danger, the rivers and the oceans are in danger, the earth is in danger. This beautiful human community inhabiting our Mother Earth is in danger due to the climate crisis.

The causes of the climate crisis are directly related to the accumulation and concentration of wealth in few countries and in small social groups, excessive and wasteful mass consumption, under the belief that having more is living better, polluting production and disposable goods to enrich wealth increasing the ecological footprint, as well as the excessive and unsustainable use of renewable and non-renewable natural resources at a high environmental cost for extractive activities for production.

A wasteful, consumerist, exclusionary, greedy civilization generating wealth in some hands and poverty everywhere, has produced pollution and climate crisis.

We did not come here to negotiate climate. We did not come here to turn the climate into a business, or to protect businesses of them who want to continue aggravating the climate crisis, destroying Mother Earth. We have come with concrete solutions.

THE CLIMATE IS NOT FOR SALE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! Mr. President, The withdrawal of some developed countries of the Kyoto protocol and avoiding of their commitments is an attack on the Mother Earth and to life.

The problem of climate crisis will not be solved with political declarations, but with specific commitments. We will not pay the climate debt of developed countries to developing countries.

They, developed countries, must fulfill their responsibility.

While some developed countries do their best to avoid their commitments to solve the climate crisis, developing countries are making greater efforts to reduce emissions, and paying the price of a climate crisis and that everyday leaves droughts, floods, hurricanes, typhoons, etc.

The climate crisis leaves us poorer, deprives us of food, destroys our economy, creates insecurity, and creates migration. Climate change will make the poor poorer.

Poor and developing countries have a great challenge: the eradication of poverty. And we’ll have to face a climate crisis for which we are not guilty. In addition to adapting to climate change we must ensure security, education, health, energy for the population, provision of water and sanitation services, delivery communication and infrastructure services, job creation, provision of housing, reconstruction due to loss and damage caused by extreme weather events, adaptation actions, among others.

Mr. President, We denounce to the whole world the pressure from some countries for the approval of new carbon market mechanisms, although these have shown to be ineffective in the fight against climate change, and that only represent business opportunities.

This is a climate change conference, not a conference for carbon business. We did not come here to do business with the death of Mother Earth betting on the power of markets as a solution. We are here to protect our Mother Earth, we came here to protect the future of humanity.

Yesterday forests were turned into carbon markets businesses, and the same was done with the land, they tried to oceans and, worse, to agriculture. Agriculture is food security, employment, life, and culture. Agriculture is along with the land, mountains and forests, the house and the food of our indigenous and peasant communities.

WE WILL NOT ALLOW THE REPLACEMENT OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF DEVELOPED COUNTRIES WITH CARBON MARKETS. PLANET IS NOT FOR SALE, NOR OUR LIFE.

It is essential that developed countries take the lead with mitigation actions with concrete results and high ambitions and that developing countries do their part within their respective capabilities, and according to financial and technological transfers, solving problems of poverty.

Mr. President, In Bolivia we have the vision of Living Well as a new approach for civilization and cultural alternative to capitalism, and in this context we focus our efforts to create a balance and harmony between society and nature.

Bolivia, presented here concrete proposals to strengthen the global climate system. We have proposed the creation of the Joint Mechanism for Mitigation and Adaptation for integrated and sustainable management of forests, not based on markets, to strengthen community, indigenous and peasant management of our forests, which can promote climate mitigation actions without transferring the responsibilities of developed countries to developing countries.

Also, we promote consistently the creation of an international mechanism to address loss and damage resulting from natural causes and impacts of climate change in developing countries. Our country will not promote carbon market mechanisms such as REDD, and will respect and strengthen community management of forests.

Mr. President, We will not allow the people of the world to pay the bill for the irresponsibility and greed. It’s time to give concrete answers to humanity and Mother Earth. Let´s be careful of the intentions of some developed parties to make us feel resigned in front of this terrible reality, and admit the inertia and inaction of those countries that are historically responsible of global warming, sending us a message that is better to have a “pragmatic” attitude, which of course will condemn to cook planet and the extinction of the humanity.

Mr. President, brothers and sisters of the world, take these words as a commitment to life and Mother Earth. With this conviction we will be guided to meet the challenge we have in this conference, the challenge of saving the planet, and not to negotiate our climate. Thank you Mr. President.

Bolivia’s proposal: Strengthening markets not based forest management-In Qatar, at the UN COP 18, Bolivia continues fight for Mother Earth

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

By Plurinational State of Bolivia

Evo Morales, President Bolivia (Photo © Rebecca Sommer)

Evo Morales, President Bolivia (Photo © Rebecca Sommer)

During the 18th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Doha, Qatar, the Bolivian delegation reaffirmed its rejection of the use and expansion of the carbon market as a tool to reduce emissions that cause climate change in the world and presented a proposal with alternative tools in carbon markets.

The Plurinational State of Bolivia proposed the implementation of a new mechanism to prevent deforestation and avoid the emission of millions of tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which will be funded through the Green Fund of the Convention, by public fundsfrom developed countries, historical causes of the problem, in line with the commitments made by these countries for a decade with no results to date.
The mechanism proposed by Bolivia, different and critical of REDD represents are real and consistent with the principles of the Convention, notably with the principles of equity, historical responsibility and climate debt. This proposal seeks to achieve real reductions and not speculation about trends, supplemented by actual reduction actions within industrialized countries, thus avoiding transfer their responsibilities to developing countries.

BOLIVIA AND THE PROPOSAL FOR THE MECHANISM SET OF MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION FOR THE INTEGRATED AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF FORESTS

Doha, December 1 (Bolivian delegation in Doha).
The struggle to curb forest carbon markets continues in Doha. Bolivia has raised in the sessions of the Working Group on “reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation” the need to take into account the approaches of the document of Rio + 20 that there are a variety of approaches to achieve sustainable development and the need of developing holistic approaches integrated in the framework of harmony with nature.

The Bolivian proposal raises the recognition by the Convention of a “Joint mechanism of Mitigation and Adaptation for the Integrated and Sustainable Management of Forests” as a non-market approach, giving continuity to the achievements made by Bolivia in the COP17 in Durban South Africa the year 2011, with the incorporation in the decisions of this working group to develop approaches that are not based on the markets. This mechanism is based on the non-commercialisation of the environmental functions of forests, the multiple functions of forests, and the strengthening of the Government in the forests.

Bolivia raises the mechanism of mitigation and adaptation as an alternative to REDD + and markets being developed within the framework of the negotiations on climate change to promote emission reductions, although there is still no official recognition to this acronym by countries.

Thus, the Bolivian position in the negotiations of the COP18 passes through the recognition of this joint mechanism under the Convention as an approach that is not based on markets, the establishment of methodologies and procedures for their development and implementation as well as its relationship with public sources for its financing.

Munduruku-Häuptling berichtigt Farce um REDD-Vertrag mit Celestial Green Ventures

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

Ein Bericht von Rebecca Sommer
(Übersetzung von ASW)

Die Nachricht löste rund um die Welt eine Welle von Schlagzeilen aus: Angeblich hatte das im Bundesstaat Pará in Brasilien lebende indigene Volk der Munduruku einen REDD-Vertrag mit Celestial Green Ventures geschlossen. Aber es war kein gemeinschaftlicher Vertragsabschluss seitens der Munduruku, zu denen heute 13.000 Menschen zählen. Dies fand ich während meines zweieinhalb-monatigen Aufenthalts in Pará anlässlich von Nachforschungen zum Großprojekt Belo Monte heraus.

Ich sprach mit meinem Kollegen Marquinho Mota von der brasilianischen Nichtregierungsorganisation FAOR, der dort für Menschenrechte und Klimagerechtigkeit zuständig

Munduruku (Foto © Rebecca Sommer)

Munduruku (Foto © Rebecca Sommer)

ist. Er berichtete mir, dass die Munduruku sehr verstört seien über die Nachricht, dass ein Vertrag unterschrieben worden sei. Interessanterweise fand ich zum gleichen Zeitpunkt drei weitere von Indigenen aus der Region Altamira unterzeichnete REDD-Verträge vor, allesamt abgeschlossen mit dem Kriminellen Benedito Milenio Junior. Benedito unterschrieb nicht im Auftrag seines Unternehmens, sondern als Einzelperson ohne jegliche Berechtigung durch die Firma, die er gegenüber den indigenen Führern zu vertreten vorgab.

Mehrheit der Munduruku gegen Vertrag

Alles habe damit begonnen, so berichtet ein indigener Führer aus einem der 120 Munduruku-Dörfer, dass Vertreter der Celestial Green Ventures mit einem REDD-Projekt auf sie zukamen. Das war bei einem Treffen im Gemeindehaus von Jacareacanga im August 2011. Häuptling Osmarino Mohoari Munduruku sagt weiter, dass Gemeinderäte und Vertreter der Indigenenbehörde FUNAI anwesend waren. Die meisten Munduruku waren gegen das Konzept des Projekts, und deshalb entschieden sie, den Vertrag abzulehnen. Osmarino Mohoari Munduruku erinnert sich, dass die Munduruku-Krieger die Vertreter des Unternehmens beinahe tätlich angegriffen hätten. Celestial Green Ventures informierte alle Anwesenden, dass zwei andere Völker ähnliche Abkommen unterzeichnet hätten.

Munduruku (Foto © Rebecca Sommer)

Munduruku (Foto © Rebecca Sommer)

Was als nächstes passierte ist die traurige Realität so vieler REDD-Projektverträge, die von Indigenen abgeschlossen wurden, die nicht die legitimierten Vertreter des Volkes sind, das sie vorgeben zu repräsentieren. Osmarino Mohoari Munduruku berichtet, dass nach dem REDD-Treffen 12 Personen, darunter Munduruku ohne jegliche Vertretungsberechtigung, nicht-indigene Berater und Vertreter des Gemeinderats, eine geschlossene und geheime Sitzung in einem Hotel abhielten, wo der Vertrag unterschrieben wurde. „Die Häuptlinge waren gegen den von dem Unternehmen vorgeschlagenen Kohlenstoffzertifikatshandels, aber einige indigene und nicht-indigene Vertreter des Gemeinderats haben unterzeichnet“, erklärt Osmarino Mohoari. „Wir wussten nichts davon. Wir erfuhren von dem unterschriebenen Vertrag durch das Internet.“

„Der Vertrag war kompletter Wahnsinn, wir konnten es nicht glauben als wir ihn schließlich zu lesen bekamen“, sagt Marquinho Mota von FAOR. „Der Vertrag, der von ein paar Einzelpersonen und Regierungsvertretern ohne die vorherige Unterrichtung und freiwillige Zustimmung der Munduruku unterzeichnet wurde, erlaubt dem Unternehmen Celestial Green Ventures die vollkommen ungehinderte und unbegrenzte Nutzung des indigenen Landes für eine Dauer von 30 Jahren.“

In einem Interview mit dem Menschenrechtsinstitut Unisinos benennt Osmarino Mohoari Munduruku die Konsequenzen für seine Gemeinschaft: „Meiner Meinung nach ist dieses REDD-Projekt schlecht, weil es uns für die nächsten 30 Jahre verbietet zu jagen, zu sammeln, zu pflanzen oder zu fischen oder Holz zu schlagen, wenn wir es brauchen.“ Das Unternehmen Celestial Green Ventures bot den Munduruku 120 Mio. Dollar für das REDD-Projekt. Unklar ist, ob Zahlungen erfolgten und wenn ja, an wen sie gemacht wurden. Laut Osmarino wird vermutet, dass die indigene Organisation Pusuru (Associação Indígena Pusuru) die Zahlungen erhalten soll. Ob das allerdings schon geschehen ist, darüber wurden die Munduruku-Häuptlinge nicht informiert.

Geschäfte zwischen alten Freunden

Auf der Webseite von REDD-Monitor, die die Autorin dieses Artikels wärmstens empfiehlt, schreibt der Journalist Chris Lang, dass Celestial Green Ventures im Juni 2011 eine Million unzertifizierte und freiwillige CO2-Verschmutzungsrechte (Carbon credits) an die in London ansässige Firma Industry RE verkauft hat. Doch die Verbindung zwischen diesen beiden Unternehmen besteht laut Informationen der Webseite von Industry RE bereits seit 2009: „ 2009 haben sich Industry RE und Celestial Green für ihr erstes REDD-Projekt zusammengeschlossen. Dazu gehörte der Kauf von Anteilen (97%) der brasilianischen Firma Capital First Management Bank Ltda., der 10.000 Hektar tropischen Regenwalds im brasilianischen Bundesstaat Rondônia gehören. CFMB gehörte auch eine Bergbaulizenz für die Goldsuche auf 4.300 Hektar dieses Landes. Durch den Kauf dieses Waldgebiets hat Celestial Green die Goldschürflizenz verfallen lassen und wird das Gebiet durch den Verkauf von CO2-Verschmutzungsrechten im Rahmen der REDD-Bestimmungen schützen.“

Die Munduruku haben unterdessen beschlossen, den REDD-Vertrag, der auf so fragwürdige Weise zustandekam, zu annulieren. „Sollte bereits Geld geflossen sein, dann wollen wir, dass es an das Unternehmen zurückgeht“, sagte Osmarino Mohoari Munduruku. 
Angesichts der in vielen Ländern vorkommenden korrupten und illegalen Machenschaften im Zusammenhang mit Vertragsunterzeichnungen seitens Indigener haben die Munduruku sogar noch Glück. Brasiliens Behörde für die Belange Indigener Völker, FUNAI, verkündete kürzlich, dass mehr als 30 solcher zwischen Indigenen und Unternehmen geschlossenen Verträge illegal und nichtig seien.

Ein Komitee der Munduruku hat beschlossen, der brasilianischen Regierung einen Bericht zu übergeben, der die Umstände dieser jüngsten Manipulation und Ausbeutung eines indigenen Volkes erläutert.

Auszüge des REDD-Vertrages, dessen Annullierung die Munduruku anstreben, sind auf Englisch von Earth Peoples veröffentlicht worden. (Munduruku REDD Vertrag in Englisch HIER)
Sie besagen, dass das Unternehmen Celestial Green Ventures für eine Dauer von 30 Jahren zur Durchführung von Analysen und technischer Studien aller Art berechtigt ist sowie den uneingeschränkten Zugang zu dem Gebiet erhält, um CO2-Zertifikate zu ermitteln. Dem Unternehmen werden ferner sämtliche Rechte an den CO2-Zertifikaten, einschließlich der Rechte an den Gewinnen aus der vorhandenen Biodiversität des Gebiets während der Vertragslaufzeit gewährt.

Osmarino Mohoari Munduruku wies darauf hin, dass der Vertrag auch besagt, dass der Besitzer zustimmt keinerlei Aktivitäten zu unternehmen, die den Wert der CO²-Zertifikate verringern könnte. Und dass ohne die Erlaubnis des Unternehmens, beispielsweise keine Gebäude errichtet, Bäume gefällt, Acker bebaut, Dämme angelegt oder Bodenschätze gehoben werden dürfen.

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Was ist REDD?
Der auf der Klimakonferenz in Montreal 2006 beschlossene REDD-Mechanismus (Reduktion von Emissionen aus Entwaldung und Schädigung von Wäldern) sollte einen Weg eröffnen, die weltweite Zerstörung des Waldbestandes, insbesondere der Primärwälder, zu stoppen. Doch viele zivilgesellschaftliche Organisationen stellen das neue Waldschutzinstrument in Frage. Sie befürchten erstens eine Verletzung der Menschenrechte indigener Gemeinschaften und halten eine monetäre Inwertsetzung von Natur für riskant.

Der Mechanismus weist dem im Holz gespeicherten Kohlenstoff einen ökonomischen Wert zu, wodurch ein globales Interesse am Waldschutz geschaffen werden soll. Das REDD-System fungiert als Bindeglied zwischen dem Europäischen Emissionshandel und dem Kyoto-Protokoll: Unternehmen können Reduktionszertifikate von Firmen, z.B. von Celestial Green Ventures erwerben, um ihre Auflagen im EU-Emissionssystem zu erfüllen. Firmen wie Celestial Green Ventures arbeiten als Zwischenhändler: Sie schließen einerseits Waldschutz-Verträge mit der lokalen Bevölkerung und verkaufen andererseits Reduktionszertifikate („Carbon credits“ ) an die Kohlenstoff emittierende Industrie.
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