La «Declaración de Bakú sobre los Bosques» reclama justicia climática: Los derechos indígenas y la protección de los bosques en el centro de la COP 29

(Bakú, Azerbaiyán, 19 de noviembre) – Mientras los líderes mundiales se reúnen en la COP 29, la Coalición Mundial por los Bosques (GFC) y los miembros y aliados de Asia Central y el Cáucaso han emitido la «Declaración de Bakú sobre los Bosques», instando a un cambio de paradigma en las negociaciones sobre el clima para dar prioridad a la protección de los bosques, los derechos indígenas y la justicia climática. Esta declaración histórica hace un llamamiento a la presidencia de la COP 29 y a las Partes del Acuerdo de París para que aborden los devastadores impactos de los incendios forestales y la deforestación, reconozcan el papel fundamental de los bosques naturales y vayan más allá de las falsas soluciones impulsadas por el mercado para lograr una acción climática sostenible.

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The declaration, signed and endorsed by more than 30 organisations from across the Caucasus and the globe, including groups from Armenia, Russia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan emphasises the alarming impact of fires and deforestation on local ecosystems and biodiversity. Such fires obliterate entire ecosystems, demonstrating the shortcomings of current climate policies that fail to protect forests from deforestation.

The Baku Forest Declaration sends a strong message to the international community at COP 29. Protecting our forests and empowering Indigenous communities to participate in climate decision-making are indispensable to achieving climate stability.

The coalition calls for the protection of Indigenous People’s rights and the recognition of their traditional knowledge in forest conservation, advocating for policies that go beyond merely seeing forests as carbon sinks. 

“We can no longer ignore that forests are more than carbon stocks. They are homes, water reservoirs, and lifelines for millions, especially in regions like Central Asia and the Caucasus,” said GFC Regional Coordinator for Central Asia and Eastern Europe. “Climate policies must focus on community-based, gender-just, and rights-based solutions.”

In addition to reinforcing the call for equity and climate justice, the declaration emphasises specific policy changes, including the cessation of market-based mechanisms like REDD+ and carbon trading. The statement urges increased support for alternatives that alleviate local communities’ dependency on biomass, such as renewable energy sources and energy-efficient solutions under fair, just and equitable transitions.

“The Baku Forest Declaration sends a strong message to the international community at COP 29. Protecting our forests and empowering Indigenous communities to participate in climate decision-making are indispensable to achieving climate stability,” said Anna Kirilenko, GFC Chair.

Among its recommendations, the declaration advocates for urgent regional cooperation to conserve floodplain river-gallery forests—some of the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems. It also suggests forming continental agreements to conserve forest belts critical for moisture regulation and climate resilience.

With the declaration, the coalition calls on negotiators and governments to acknowledge the role of intact ecosystems and promote fair, inclusive, and sustainable climate action. 

The time to act is now. If we fail to protect our forests, we fail the planet and future generations.

 

For further information, please contact: 

Megan Morrissey +12023656900, megan@globalforestcoalition.org 

Ismail Wolff +33 7 88 85 28 59 ismail.wolff@globa

19 nov., 2024
Posted in Bosques y Cambio Climático, UNFCCC, Press releases