JTA supports the work of our allies Indigenous Environmental Network in the Convention on Biological Diversity, just as they support our work in the Global Plastics Treaty.  Here Cacique Ninawa Inu Pereira Nunes Huni Kui, leader of the Huni Kui people of the Amazon in Acre, Brazil studies up on “Hoodwinked in the Hothouse” and “Indigenous Principles of Just Transition.”  Photo credit: Tamra Gilbertson

Edgar Franks of Familias Unidas por la Justicia represented JTA as part of a delegation put together by the Climate Justice Alliance at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Cali, Colombia.  These are his reflections:

I think the one thing that comes to mind first is that the CBD was another space that has many great ideas to help protect the natural world but at the same time the space has also been in danger of complete corporate takeover. The use of the term “just transition” is talked about in order to justify the commodification of nature and not as a framework toward a better world.

The negotiations themselves are interesting because they are done in the open where civil society can listen in and witness the positions from all the countries or parties. We can observe the crafting of language that will dictate the rules of the world right in front of us. There does seem to be a need for more participation from civil society overall to push for better outcomes. I feel that there are opportunities, we just need more coordination and organizing. If we had a way to introduce language or support existing texts it could benefit the goal of protecting mother earth.

I think that the most powerful words were delivered by Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia. He talked about creating an economy that sustains life as the best way to move forward and to get away from the economy that only creates death. He talked about the extraction from the global south that has led to displacement and mass migrations. And about all the wars and how much it shows that preserving the dollar is more desirable than protecting the lives of people in Palestine.

Overall the conference was a place for us to get to know what is happening in these discussions and to connect with other social movements throughout the world. It was also good to hear about what is being planned on the Road to Brazil and COP30 in 2025. This process is another step heading into the new year with more clarity of what we need to do to be ready for whatever comes at us.

 

JTA and all of our allies are getting ready for the next gathering of the UN climate negotiations in Brazil (COP30).  With a host country that appreciates our vision – unlike the petrostates that held the last two COPs – we are eager to push hard to radically change the conversation.  We will have lots more news about the “Road to Brazil” in the coming months.  Thanks Edgar, for repping JTA in this crucial international forum!