Voices from COP30: The First Week is Done — What Have We Seen?

By Astrid Caldas

The crowds came. The Indigenous peoples staked their claims to representation and rights to land. The connection between biodiversity and climate change is a priority topic in this “Amazon COP”, as are synergies across the three Rio Conventions – which together address the interconnected challenges of climate change, desertification and biodiversity loss.

The negative biodiversity impacts of climate change have been multiplying, leading to not only loss of species, but loss of species functions in essential ecosystems. But preserving biodiversity is not just something we need to do for its own (incredible) value. Protecting and maintaining biodiversity is also part of the solution to achieving a stable climate. Healthy forests keep carbon stored and out of the atmosphere. But the role that forest carbon sinks play in climate change is at stake with continued deforestation, and that is why there has been a lot of talk about including biodiversity and ecosystem integrity in decisions related to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

In addition to biodiversity itself, Indigenous and traditional forest communities’ stewardship of the land is being highlighted, and their rights are to be part of the discussions. They have for centuries known how to conserve the land and respect biodiversity, and now, as their lives and livelihoods are at risk of disappearing, they must have a seat at the table.

We enter week 2 of COP30 with two thematic days focusing on “planetary and community stewardship — centering on forests, oceans, and biodiversity, while spotlighting Indigenous peoples, Local and traditional communities” and other sustainability issues. This is the time for ESA to keep an eye on the negotiations and support civil society on their demands. I will report back on outcomes!

Disclaimer: Opinions are solely those of the guest contributor and not an official ESA policy or position.