Forests are home to people. Rural communities and Indigenous Peoples have been living with and protecting their forests for centuries. But their lands and way of life are under threat, and their rights to govern, live in, use and conserve their territories are often not recognised or respected.
The Global Forest Coalition has always identified itself as a rights-based forest policy advocacy group. Part of the rationale for the birth of the Global Forest Coalition was the need for an organisation that took the rights of Indigenous Peoples and other forest-dependent peoples as a starting point in the fight to protect forests.
In the name of forest conservation, Indigenous Peoples and local communities have also been forcibly relocated: moved away from their lands and territories and resettled in areas that are alien to them. This has sometimes happened with the consent, or even the involvement, of conservation organizations. We particularly denounce so-called ‘Green Land Grabbing’ for false solutions to climate change, in the name of forest carbon offset or bioenergy projects (see also our Forests, Trees and Climate Change Campaign).
Women are often the main victims of projects and policies that exclude and ignore forest-dependent peoples. Their rights, needs and fundamental roles in forest conservation and restoration should be at the heart of rights-based forest policy. GFC believes that forest conservation policies that ignore the rights, needs and roles of Indigenous Peoples, local communities and women violate fundamental human rights and are a barrier to creating broader support for forest protection. See also our Women’s rights and Empowerment program
The path to avoid the point of no return of tropical forests in the Amazon, Congo and Indonesia The Amazon, Congo, and Indonesian tropical forests—three of the world’s largest and most vital ecosystems—are at a critical juncture. Real solutions to preserve these forests are already emerging from Indigenous territories, peasant communities, and grassroots organizations, rooted in their deep knowledge and stewardship. Yet, these efforts face mounting challenges, including new threats and the proliferation of greenwashed false solutions disguised as progress. …
Roots Newsletter: July 2024 Dear friends, members, allies and comrades, As we stride into the second half of the year, take a moment to reflect on the work of…
Информационный бюллетень Roots: июль 2024 г. Дорогие друзья, партнеры, союзники и товарищи! Вступая во вторую половину года, постарайтесь найти время, чтобы поразмышлять о результатах работы последних нескольких месяцев…
We condemn violations of the right to protest and attacks on human rights and water defenders protesting against Carroll Farms in the Libres-Oriental Basin Mexico City, June 24, 2024…
The International Day of Peasant Struggles, commemorated annually on April 17th, echoes the enduring fight for the rights and dignity of peasants and farmers worldwide. The day was originally declared…
Episode 1: GFC on the Frontlines In this opening episode of Roots of Resilience, host Chithira Vijayakumar speaks with three of GFC’s lead campaigners on the work of GFC and our…
Global North Must Immediately Divest From False Climate Solutions Corporate co-opting of global climate policy is leading us to a climate catastrophe BONN, June 6, 2023 – UN member states…
A bill that would raise taxes and force working people to bear the costs of the Colombian crises is the spark that has lit a fuse in the country, which…
The Global Forest Coalition strongly condemns the violent attacks by the military junta in Myanmar against Indigenous Peoples and other innocent citizens, including in particular the recent military airstrikes on…
by Rachel Smolker, Biofuelwatch, USA Read the full report: Swallowing Indonesia’s Forests The Indonesian government recently announced plans for several new “food estate” projects in Central Kalimantan, Papua and North…
