Yanisse Basauri Torres

(BOKU)

The majestic Amazon Forest is not only trees, but people

It is no secret that our world stands at a critical juncture, facing climate change and seeking a sustainable future. We all benefit and need healthy forests, but we shouldn’t forget the focus of all our efforts: people. In Peru (as well as in the vast majority of the so-called Global South), Indigenous communities hold precious information and knowledge about sustainable forests. Our people have been taking care of and living in sintony with the Amazon rainforest for generations. Their knowledge includes advanced understanding of the ecosystem and ancient practices to promote forest health. However, their ownership rights, voice as stakeholders in the forest sector, and the role of women specifically have been marginalized. 

In this blog post, I try to explore the crucial intersection of Indigenous land rights, forest management, sustainable supply chains, and gender in Peru, the Global South, and the connection with Europe and the world. 

Indigenous Guardians of the Forest: A Legacy of Sustainable Stewardship

You might have heard Peru is a Forest Country, known for their impressive landscapes and top biodiversity, or maybe you just remember the llama pic in Macchu Picchu. Anyway, by 2010, this was true, with 78.7 million hectares of natural forest, covering 61% of its land surface. However, we are losing more and more forests every year. We lost 227,000 hectares of natural forest in 2023 alone, equivalent to 149 million tons of CO₂ emissions. I say we since this affects us all no matter our nationality, AND probably you are also impacting the forest loss in Peru and the Global South by your consuming habits – not accusing you, just saying. 

Empowering Women, Empowering Communities: A Synergistic Approach

I want to remark on the role of women in the management of forests. Truth is, the gender imbalance didn’t miss Indigenous women, and their voices are sadly usually marginalized. Due to scientific studies and real-life cases, it is proven that women are key in fighting climate change and are at the same time the most vulnerable to it. Their knowledge is invaluable. Empowering women through equitable participation in decision-making processes, land ownership, and profit sharing within sustainable supply chains is essential.

As sustainable agricultural supply chains as a topic are trendy and in focus, I urge all of us not to forget who is a the beginning of the supply chains. Indigenous communities, small-scale producers, and farmers are participating in producing high-value forest products like cacao, coffee, and sustainably-sourced wood across the “partner countries in the Global South”. These products, often destined for the EU market, are cultivated using practices that minimize environmental impact. Reaching a living income is key in this case, imagine yourself eating a bar of chocolate and not knowing where the cacao comes from (mostly from Côte d’Ivoire in Africa, where problems such as child labor and poor payments are common in the supply chain of the happy fruit). We need to empower the most vulnerable levels of the supply chain.

Challenges and the Road Ahead: Paving the Way for Transformation

Obstacles still exist. One critical necessity in this regard is Indigenous land rights should be more so about compensation. Other than that, making sure prices are as transparent as possible – especially when it comes to giving everyone their share from the gains pool will go far in helping them become financially independent as well.

Also, for true sustainability is essential to value Indigenous knowledge within forest research and management. To ensure forest conservation works well, this knowledge should be valued as much as “modern” research finds.

A Call to Action: A Collective Responsibility for a Sustainable Future

To work toward a sustainable future, where small-scale farmers and local and indigenous communities would have the power over their own lives, Peru, as well as producers countries in the Global South and the EU could use the leadership, knowledge, and rights of the native people, to establish their unique model. These could include governments introducing legislations that provide legal backing for the land rights of the Indigenous people, and promoting trades that uphold a living income and a fair payment. People can also contribute by seeking brands with certifications that observe the rights of local populations. This way, a consumer can use their power of decision when making purchases (buying a banana at Aldi for example) while enhancing empowerment among the people at the beginning of the supply chain for a better life.

A Compelling Case for Change

By recognizing Indigenous rights, knowledge, and leadership, we can pave the way for a future where forests thrive and communities prosper. Let us not only talk about postcoloniality but demand a decolonization of the supply chains worldwide.