The Wilderness Society puts forest and indigenous peoples' rights protection on the table in Barcelona

In the final days of the UNFCCC's international climate negotiations in Barcelona, Spain, the Wilderness Society's Luke Chamberlain and Peg Putt joined with indigenous communities from around the globe to call for protection of the world's forests and indigenous peoples' rights.

The UNFCCC's meeting in Barcelona last week was the final climate change negotiating meeting before the world comes together in Copenhagen in December this year.  At the centre of debate was the role that forest protection plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

The Wilderness Society putting protection of forests and indigenous rights on the table in Barcelona. Picture: Peter Wood

The Wilderness Society, as a member of the Ecosystems Climate Alliance, is playing a crucial role at the negotiations to ensure that the protection of forests is inserted as a priority in any discussions around the Reduction in Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) negotiations. There are many countries trying to undermine the protection of forests, and some are even trying to remove safeguards against the conversion of natural forests to plantations. The Wilderness Society managed to maintain the pressure on country delegates to re-insert the safeguard that was removed in the last meeting in Bangkok. The safeguard was re-inserted but will need to be strengthened when we get to Copenhagen in December.

So far, 41 countries - over a fifth of all countries on Earth, have signed the Wilderness Society's forest pledge to protect natural forests and indigenous peoples' rights in those forests.  Many country delegates have expressed their appreciation for the Wilderness Society's work in ensuring these two overarching principles are not lost in the negotiations.  No REDD mechanism will work without them.

• Learn more about our Copenhagen wishlist for a safe climate >>
  

Take Action

The Wilderness Society's International Climate Team is working hard at the UN climate talks and we urgently need your help. The protection of the world's forests needs to be part of the global solution to avoid dangerous climate change. Sign the forest pledge today and ask Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to secure a safe climate for our future, by making sure the next global climate deal protects the world's forests >>

Further Reading

Protecting forests in the Copenhagen climate deal will help save climate
The Wilderness Society is attending the last week of UN climate talks before Copenhagen, in Barcelona this week, to urge countries and NGOs to support the inclusion of forests in the global climate solution. More >>

Bangkok at a turning point for forests and climate
Joint Media Release - 1 October 2009
Leading observer group urges delegates to return to original intent to protect forests and indigenous rights. More >>