REJECT INTERNATIONAL OFFSETS in AB32
The State of California’s cap and trade regulations currently include a “placeholder” to allow sub-national REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) carbon credits to enter into its cap and trade system. In order for this to occur, the (California) Air Resources Board (ARB) must first promulgate draft rules on REDD credits, subject them to public comment, and vote to approve them.
The ARB has not yet begun a formal rule-making process on REDD. The Governors Forests and Climate Task Force and the REDD Offsets Working Group – are paving the way for California REDD credits to become implemented – from a political and technical standpoint.
The Governors Forests and Climate Task Force (which California founded) is working with several States/Provinces – most notably Chiapas, Mexico and Acre, Brazil – to potentially supply California with REDD credits. The REDD Offsets Working Group (on which California is an observer) is expected to come out in October with a set of recommendations/ options for how California can structure a REDD offsets program.
In 2013, the board is expected to make a decision about whether to continue exploring REDD (with the eye towards issuing rules) or whether to drop its efforts.
Need:
There is a need to educate policymakers, funders, environmental and social justice activists and the public about the human rights and social and environmental harms caused by REDD, particularly its impacts on Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
There is an immediate need to stop California from accepting REDD credits into its carbon trading system.
Indigenous Peoples Confront False Climate Change Solutions
2150 Allston Way, Berkeley, California 94704
Tuesday, October 16, 2012 – 6:30pm in PDT
Presented by Friends of the Earth and the Indigenous Environmental Network. Co-hosted by Amazon Watch, Abya Yala Nexus, Global Exchange, and International Development Exchange
Indigenous Peoples’ territories harbor most of the world’s remaining biodiversity and intact forests; under the guise of emerging climate policies, these territories are being targeted as ‘carbon sinks’ to allow industry to continue polluting. Emerging forest-carbon deals such as the agreement linking California with Chiapas, Mexico, and Acre, Brazil, threaten to undermine indigenous sovereignty, to privatize forests, and to commodify the sacred.
Hear from Indigenous leaders working to protect community land rights and promote equitable, rights-based climate solutions that respect traditional knowledge and the principles of environmental justice.
6:30-7:00 – Light refreshments and networking
7:00-7:30 – Screening of A Darker Shade of Green: REDD Alert and the Future of Forests
7:30-9:00 – Presentations from Indigenous leaders
- Tom Goldtooth, Indigenous Environmental Network
- Berenice Sanchez (Nahua, Mexico)
- Santiago Martinez (Tzeltal, Chiapas, Mexico)
- Marlon Santi (Quichua, Ecuador)
- Gloria Ushigua (Zapara, Ecuador)
Please RSVP to noreddbayarea@gmail.com
2012 Bioneers Conference
San Rafael, CA
Indigenous Forum Tent
Friday, October 19, 1:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Screening: A Darker Shade of Green: REDD Alert and the Future of Forests, 30 min.
Focus: California AB32 International Offsets in Chaipas, Mexico
Presentation of Film: Jeff Conant, San Francisco
Speakers:
- Berenice Sanchez Lozada, Nahua from Mexico, founding member of the Global Alliance of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Against REDD and For Life and participant in UN climate negotiations and the recent Rio+20 Earth Summit in Brazil
- Rosario Aguilar, Tsunel Bej, Chiapas, Mexico, social anthropologist and health promoter and works with communities in the Lacandon Jungle
Saturday, October 20, 1:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Commodification of the Sacred: Carbon Offsets, REDD + Indigenous Peoples and Genocide
Moderator: Tom B.K. Goldtooth, Indigenous Environmental Network, Minnesota
Speakers:
- Marlon Santi, historic leader of the Sarayaku and Ecuador’s indigenous movement. He was instrumental in Sarayaku’s resistance to oil drilling plans, and led the organization of peace camps that monitored and ultimately kicked out the oil company. He most recently led Ecuador’s national indigenous confederation CONAIE – one of the post powerful indigenous movements in South America. Santi has been a vocal advocate for indigenous rights in the UN climate negotiations.
- Gloria Ushigua, Zápara from Ecuador, leader of indigenous women’s movement and fought the invasion of her territory by oil companies and now by REDD-style government programs
- José Carmelio Alberto Nunes, Ninawá, President of the Federation of the Huni Kui people of Acre, Brazil. A young indigenous leader vocal on community-based forestry solutions and territorial sovereignty
