Climate mitigation or knowledge deprivation? Learning from indigenous socio-environmental funds

Luiza Muccillo Bica De Barcellos,Maria Fernanda Gebara

doi:10.32358/rpd.2020.v6.435

Abstract

Purpose: To reflect on effects of exposing indigenous peoples to neoliberal approaches to mitigate climate change by examining Brazil’s first indigenous peoples’ socio-environmental funds, discussing conflicts, collaborations and how funds help or hinder symbiosis of REDD+ with indigenous practices. Methodology/Approach: Primary data collected between 2011-15; Observation; Open-ended and Semi-structured Interviews; Focus Groups; Coding; Literature Review. Findings: The analysis undertaken indicates that the realities of neoliberal and capitalist practices impose requirements and demands on indigenous peoples, restricting their ability to properly implement the objectives of the funds and affecting their traditional practices and forms of social organization. Research Limitation/implication: Last field data collected in 2015, but the lessons we point out are valuable. Originality/Value of paper: The conflicts and collaborations discussed add to the debate on neoliberalization of nature and give more evidence to suggest that re-thinking climate mitigation strategies is timely and urgent, and indigenous knowledge have a significant role in this process.

Highlights

Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies are mandatory and urgent, yet while strategies aim to be inclusive, they interfere in the cultural practices and values of various societies
We investigate if indigenous peoples (IP) rights and REDD+ safeguards can guarantee that ideological concerns around REDD+ are addressed, drawing on two Brazilian examples to understand how REDD+ benefit-sharing with IP is unfolding in practice, and what types of conflicts and collaborations arise
To draw insights on how socio-environmental funds for REDD+ benefit-sharing may contribute to transforming local-level practices, we examine how appropriately they address IP rights and REDD+ safeguards

Summary

Introduction

Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies are mandatory and urgent, yet while strategies aim to be inclusive, they interfere in the cultural practices and values of various societies. Given their territories’ contribution to preventing and halting deforestation, indigenous peoples (IP) have a prominent role to play in Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation and Enhancing Conservation (REDD+). The article argues that contemporary conservation and development approaches are heavily influenced by politically dominant Western and neoliberal agendas, with the resulting danger that indigenous values and practices will change in use, application and ability to deal with complexity

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Conclusion