No “Phase-Out” in GST Text Disappoints Many at COP28
It’s been an upsetting day for many vulnerable countries, climate activists and climate observers today at COP28 in Dubai. The final text for the Global Stocktake was released late evening and the first review of the twenty-one page document shows that the words “phase-out fossil fuel” has completely been deleted from previous versions. It instead uses the term “phasing-down” and “unabated coal” instead of fossil fuels. WWF Climate and Energy calls it “disastrous”. The Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development says “To say that the latest iteration of the GST text is disappointing would be a grave understatement”. The Alliance of Small Island Developing States, AOSIS, says the latest text is unacceptable and that states must take actions. There is one more day left for COP28 and we’ll have the final outcome then. Tonight, we’ll take a look at pivotal role of indigenous peoples in addressing climate change. Indigenous communities have historically faced marginalization in climate discussions. Despite the dedicated Indigenous Day at COP28, which highlighted their urgent inclusion, indigenous voices still struggle to be heard. Hipolito Novelo reports from COP28.
Hipolito Novelo, Reporting
Indigenous communities around the world are stewards of some 80 percent of global biodiversity. For thousands of years, indigenous people have been devoted to living in balance and harmony with nature. They have observed and learned the behavior of biodiversity. Creating the valuable link between science and indigenous knowledge contributes to the fight against the climate crisis. And so, one would think that indigenous people would have a seat around the table, a say on what is decided. In previous COPs, indigenous peoples have been kept at the margins. Was it different at COP28 in Dubai?
Cristina Coc
Cristina Coc, Spokesperson, MLA/TAA
“Your question is important because It is important for Indigenous Peoples to be here, although we are here in very small numbers. We are still at the margins. This hasn’t changed from previous COPs. I mean, I’ve said this before and I say it again Indigenous Peoples, unfortunately, we don’t wear the pink badges, right? Our badges are limited to the rooms that we can actually get into. And so our lobbying has to be creative. It has to be intense.”
December 5th was set aside as Indigenous Day at COP28. Indigenous peoples from all over the world joined to make their voices heard. The day was meant to reinforce the urgency of a fully inclusive, all-of-society approach- in the just transition. And for Indigenous Peoples, key to their fight against climate change is accessing financing. Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change Orlando Habet says indigenous peoples should be part of the larger conservation.
Orlando Habet
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change
“Absolutely important to have indigenous people who have been the stewards of many of our forest especially conservation of forests, conservation of water sources. A lot has to be done, I think right now on the global scale, they are asking for financing because they need to be around the table but also be able to continue with the conservation of those natural resources. Many times, they are also people who are displaced because of climate change. They need to be around the table to make some of those decisions. If not the final decision to be able to contribute to the consultations.”
Christina Coc of the Maya Leaders Alliance says that indigenous peoples play a crucial role in addressing and adapting to climate change. Their traditional knowledge, passed down through generations, encompasses a deep understanding of local ecosystems and sustainable practices.
Cristina Coc
“The last remaining forested areas protected areas, tangible nature is found where Indigenous Peoples are also found. Much of Indigenous Peoples lands and territories is the focus of many of these conversations. And so it’s, really impractical to imagine climate solutions without Indigenous peoples participation, engagement knowledge systems and proposed solutions. Indigenous peoples are already adopting, are already mitigating are already doing the best we can to continue to protect the last remaining forests.”
Many indigenous communities are directly affected by the impacts of climate change, such as changes in weather patterns, disruptions in ecosystems, and threats to their traditional ways of life. Recognition of indigenous rights, inclusion of their knowledge in climate action plans, and collaboration with these communities are essential for effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. Dean Bhebhe, a climate activist of Zimbabwe says that efforts to address climate change must prioritize the voices and needs of indigenous peoples.
Dean Bhebhe
Dean Bhebhe, Don’t Gas Africa Campaign
“These means a lot for the indigenous people in Africa because already climate change is here and the fossil fuels are the main driver of biodiversity loss. We are losing our heritage and our forest and as a result our culture and our understanding on how we interact with the environment. What this has provided is not only extraction of just simply resources but extraction of our culture. This is why we need a holistic way to build a pathway that is both based equity, justice and also mindfulness of humanity. Indigenous people need to be invited. They need a voice. At the end of the day, it is the indigenous people that eventually paved a path for us to develop. It is indigenous knowledge that will us preserve the burning wall right now.”
Cristina Coc
“If you come on the global scale and you see the amount of indigenous peoples all around the world, our stories are very similar, if not identical, and it is because as key actors in the protection of forests and stewardship of lands and territories, we are the real actors. We are doing many things that has the as land itself to the protection of these places, and so, yes, there is much to learn from indigenous people’s knowledge systems from their ways of knowing and being.”
Restoring biodiversity can offer over 30 percent of the required mitigation efforts to attain the 1.5°C target by 2030. Additionally, nature plays a pivotal role in mitigating climate-related risks like floods and fires. Preserving natural ecosystems not only presents opportunities for approximately USD $10 trillion in new business ventures but also has the potential to generate nearly 400 million new jobs. According to Saina, a Russian singer and a member of the indigenous peoples in the Siberian region and Gersom Parades of Rios to River, it’s time to listen to earth and save it.
Saina
Saina, Russian Singer
“I think it is message for peoples around the world. We are children of mother Earth and we have one team with mother Earth. We need to listen to her vibration because it is important to us. It is harmony. It is balance. All of these people are because we don’t listen to mother earth vibration and it is a mistake.”
Gersom Paredes
Gersom Paredes, Rios to River
“Save the mother Earth. Save the mother sea. Save the mother water. Save the brothers trees. Save the children of the world. Hear the original people of the world. This is the holy meeting…thank you.”
Reporting from COP28 in Dubai, Hipolito Novelo- News Five.
