Indigenous Voices Silenced: Controversy Over Amazon Carbon Credit Deal

In Para, Brazil, 38 Indigenous organizations criticized the government for not consulting them before signing a carbon offset deal with multinational corporations. This arrangement, worth $180 million, involves Amazon.com and others buying carbon credits through the LEAF Coalition. Indigenous leaders, feeling excluded, voiced concerns over corporate involvement and environmental impacts.

Indigenous organizations in Brazil's Para state have expressed outrage over the government's failure to consult them on a substantial carbon offset agreement. This deal, involving major corporations such as Amazon.com through the LEAF Coalition, has sparked a public outcry despite the state's governor claiming Indigenous involvement.

In a strongly-worded letter, 38 Indigenous and community groups denounced the decision-making that excluded them. Alessandra Korap Munduruku, a key tribal leader and principal author of the letter, labeled U.S. companies' roles, including Amazon and BlackRock, as alarming, given their impacts on local environments.

Korap Munduruku, a respected community leader and 2023 Goldman environmental prize winner, emphasized the urgency of addressing local concerns over outsiders threatening reservation lands. However, the governor's office has yet to respond to these criticisms, even as Para prepares to host a pivotal UN climate summit.

(With inputs from agencies.)