Suellen Nunes*
A study on the implementation of REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) in Brazil highlights the central role of Indigenous Peoples in climate governance, and points out the challenges communities face in accessing direct climate finance. The publication was launched this April by IPAM (Amazon Environmental Research Institute), in partnership with MPI (Ministry of Indigenous Peoples).
The publication “Indigenous Peoples and REDD+: History, legislation, safeguards, threats and opportunities – perspectives from the Kuntari Katu Program” brings together analyses of the Brazilian legal framework with authorial contributions from three indigenous leaders who are members of the Kuntari Katu Program, mentors of the Program, and IPAM researchers.
The collaborative production combines technical knowledge and territorial experiences, placing the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples at the center of the debate. The Program, launched in August 2024, recently concluded its first edition in a solemn session at the Rio Branco Institute, training young indigenous people to act in international climate negotiations.
The study shows that Brazil has a robust regulatory basis for implementing REDD+, including policies such as the PNMC (National Policy on Climate Change), PNGATI (National Policy on Territorial and Environmental Management of Indigenous Lands), PNPSA (National Policy on Payment for Environmental Services) and the SBCE (Brazilian Emissions Trading System).
However, there are gaps, such as the lack of effective decision-making power for Indigenous Peoples, the differences between sub-national laws, the need for legislative harmonization at the national and sub-national levels, and the lack of regulations on the sharing of benefits originating on Indigenous lands.
“Based on the capacity-building process for the Kuntari Katu, we sought, in dialogue with participants, to establish a strategic connection between the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, the indigenous context and the REDD+ agenda in Brazil. This research reaffirms the leading role of Indigenous Peoples in responding to the climate crisis and highlights the importance of their presence in climate governance spaces and access to climate finance,” explained Gustavo Furini, IPAM’s Public Policy researcher and one of the authors.
The publication highlights the strategic role of mechanisms 6.2, 6.4 and 6.8, included in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement for the indigenous context. Emphasizing the non-market approach of mechanism 6.8.
“The publication presents opportunities for greater convergence with the demands of Indigenous Peoples for territorial autonomy, climate justice and direct access to financial resources resulting from centuries of resistance in environmental protection,” explained Juliana de Moraes, IPAM consultant for the project with MPI and one of the co-authors.
Challenges and territorial demarcation
The document also highlights the recognition of indigenous land demarcation as a structuring policy for climate mitigation. Data from the study shows that, although they represent only 0.8% of the Brazilian population, Indigenous Peoples protect around 58% of the Amazon’s carbon, with approved territories showing significantly lower rates of deforestation.
Kaianaku Kamaiura, an indigenous person and co-author of the study, points out that the document provides guidance on opportunities and threats, ensuring that decisions are based on information. “The text contributes to understanding the national and international context, such as Article 6, and its impacts on territories. It also stands out for its more accessible language, unlike other technical materials, which is fundamental for communities that still have little access to this type of information,” she says.
Despite the advances, the study warns of challenges in the governance of financial flows associated with REDD+ and Article 6. Excessive intermediation of resources is pointed out as one of the main obstacles, keeping Indigenous Peoples away from direct access to climate finance and concentrating benefits in external technical and institutional structures.
IPAM communications analyst.*
