For decades, Amazon indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) have impeded deforestation and associated
greenhouse gas emissions. While emissions inside indigenous
territories (ITs) and protected natural areas (PNAs) remain well
below levels outside, unsustainable forest clearing is on the
rise across the nine-nation region. In addition, Amazon ITs and
PNAs are increasingly vulnerable to the less conspicuous (and
often-neglected) processes of forest degradation and disturbance, which diminish carbon storage and ecological integrity.
The trend toward weakening of environmental protections,
indigenous land rights, and the rule of law thus poses an existential threat to IPLCs and their territories. Reversing this
trend is critical for the future of climate-buffering Amazon
forests and the success of the Paris Agreement.
