Brazil Expands Protected Lands
Brazil, host of COP30, creates ten new Indigenous territories as protests intensify around the climate summit. The designation protects culture and environment under national law, although authorities do not always enforce these rules. The move follows earlier actions by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose government recognised eleven territories last year. Dinamam Tuxu from the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil says every new territory gives communities a reason to celebrate.
Legal Recognition and Global Impact
The government will formalise the step through a presidential decree. Tuxu calls for more legal recognition to give Indigenous groups control over their lands. He says Indigenous peoples protect most of the world’s biodiversity and ensure climate protection through their traditional lifestyle. He adds that their way of life benefits humanity as a whole. Many communities still face attacks when they defend their lands from ranchers or loggers.
Violence Against Indigenous Leaders
On Sunday an Indigenous leader from the Guarani-Kaiowá was killed in southern Brazil. Witnesses say armed men surrounded the village and shot him. Rights groups warn that such attacks are rising. On Saturday thousands protested outside the climate conference and demanded immediate demarcation of more territories.
Protests and Tightened Security
Last week demonstrators, including many Indigenous activists, entered the summit venue and clashed with security guards. Security forces now patrol the entrance with greater numbers and stricter checks. Many Indigenous groups lack accreditation and cannot enter the venue. Despite this, the conference hosts more Indigenous representatives than ever. A spokesperson from the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil says nearly 900 people now join negotiations inside and represent their communities.
Criticism of Militarised Security Measures
More than 200 human rights groups wrote to UN officials on Monday and criticised the increased security. They argue that these measures support a global trend of silencing dissent and marginalising land defenders. Past recognitions of Indigenous reserves banned mining, logging, and commercial farming to prevent deforestation.
Studies Show Positive Environmental Effects
A study by several organisations says expanded Indigenous territories could prevent up to 20 percent of additional deforestation and reduce carbon emissions by 2030. The new protected areas cover hundreds of thousands of hectares and include communities such as the Mura, Tupinambá de Olivença, Pataxó, Guarani-Kaiowá, Munduruku, Pankará and Guarani-Mbya. One territory overlaps more than 78 percent with the Amazon National Park, a crucial part of the biodiverse rainforest.
Political Shift Under Lula
The announcement came on Indigenous Peoples’ Day at COP30. Lula’s return to office marked the first creation of new Indigenous territories since 2018. Under former president Jair Bolsonaro, the government often failed to enforce protections and supported mining on Indigenous lands. Lula previously launched operations to expel illegal miners from protected zones.
Importance for Climate and Biodiversity
Indigenous territories now cover 117.4 million hectares, around 13.8 percent of Brazil’s land area. Hundreds of Indigenous groups live across the country. The Amazon faces renewed risks as political forces attempt to overturn key forest protections. Healthy forest areas store large amounts of carbon and help stabilise the global climate. Emissions from fossil fuels continue to drive global warming.
Global Climate Goals Under Pressure
Countries at COP30 aim to limit global temperature increases to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels and keep them well below 2C. Scientists warn that warming beyond 2C will trigger severe consequences. These include extreme heat, rising sea levels and threats to food security, according to the world’s leading climate researchers.
