2009 UN Copenhagen Climate Change Conference: Affect On Indian Tribals

2009 UN Copenhagen Climate Change Conference: Affect On Indian Tribals

As the 2009 Copenhagen Climate discussions came to a close on December 19, many people were left wondering the outcomes of the meeting. The answer to that question is two-part. There was an official “Copenhagen Accord” made between the US, China, India, Brazil, and South Africa that recognizes the need to reduce climate change, and agreements were made for actions to combat the change. However, the agreements were non-binding and do not contain any legally binding promises by the nations on emission-reduction of environmentally harmful carbon dioxide. India promised to decrease their carbon emission intensity by 20–25% below 2005 levels by the year 2020.^[1] Developing countries, like India, were promised financial and technological aid from developed countries in executing their promised actions.
The section of the Copenhagen Accord that most directly affects Indian Tribals is the recognition by nations that deforestation and forest abuse must be reduced.^[2] Human rights groups such as Survival International and the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues heavily lobbied for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD). By reducing forest demolition, developing countries could increase carbon-dioxide removal by forests and conserve the livelihood of its indigenous people. Indigenous tribes living in Orissa, such as the Dongria Kondh, could gain a step up in the battle against the deforestation of mining companies. On the contrary, there are some concerns by tribal people that more environmental implementations by the government may inhibit tribal subsistence activities.^[3] The nations present at the Climate Change Conference agreed to create a bargain for developing countries to decrease deforestation in exchange for money from developed countries^[4], good news for indigenous people. The bad news is that the agreement is non-binding.

1. Aarti Dhar (2009-12-04), Jairam Ramesh: 20–25% Carbon Emission Intensity Cut by 2020, The Hindu.

2. “The Copenhagen Accord”: http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2009/cop15/eng/l07.pdf

3. "Copenhagen March Also Includes Indigenous Peoples On Rights". HULIQ. 2009-12-12. http://www.huliq.com/1/89605/copenhagen-march-also-includes-indigenous-peoples-rights. Retrieved 2009-12-20.

4. Vidal, John; Allegra Stratton and Suzanne Goldenberg (19 December 2009). "Low targets, goals dropped: Copenhagen ends in failure". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/18/copenhagen-deal. Retrieved 19 December 2009.