At COP30, an expert argues that Indigenous rights are a key step towards dealing with climate change

November 26, 2025

At COP30 held in Belém, Brazil, climate scientist Sineia Do Vale (Sineia Wapichana) advocated for recognizing Indigenous territorial rights as fundamental to effective climate policy, emphasizing the integration of traditional and scientific knowledge. Indigenous communities across the Amazon have been developing climate adaptation plans based on natural indicators like plant behavior, bird patterns, and seasonal cycles to monitor environmental changes and prevent disasters. The region has faced devastating impacts, particularly in Roraima state where fires destroyed 80 percent of rural cultivated areas in 2024, threatening biodiversity and culturally significant species.

Who is affected

Indigenous peoples and communities across the Amazon region, particularly in Roraima state, Brazil
Sineia Do Vale (Sineia Wapichana), climate scientist and Indigenous representative
Ana Paula Wapichana, Indigenous firefighter working with community brigades
The Indigenous Caucus and its members
The Indigenous Council of Roraima state (CIR)
Biodiversity including medicinal plants, birds, and species like buriti palms and aninga plants
Nine countries spanning Amazon rainforest territories

What action is being taken

Indigenous communities are developing and implementing climate adaptation plans using traditional knowledge alongside scientific institutions
Indigenous peoples are monitoring climate change through natural indicators including forests, plants, waters, and ethnological calendars
Ana Paula Wapichana is working on controlled burning techniques for fire prevention in Indigenous territories
Sineia Do Vale is coordinating territorial, environmental, and climate change management through the DGTAMC
Indigenous representatives are participating in COP30 debates and decision-making spaces
Communities are conducting observation and maintenance of biodiversity, forests, and water systems

Why it matters

Indigenous peoples possess traditional knowledge systems that offer practical solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation, demonstrated through their ability to predict and respond to environmental changes using natural indicators. The Amazon rainforest, as the world's largest rainforest spanning nine countries, plays a critical role in global climate regulation, making Indigenous stewardship essential. The devastating impacts of climate change, such as the 449 percent increase in fire outbreaks in Roraima that destroyed culturally and ecologically vital species, demonstrate the urgency of supporting Indigenous-led climate action. Ensuring Indigenous territorial rights and direct access to climate financing represents a pathway to effective global climate policy that combines generations of traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary scientific approaches.

What's next

Development of practical policy recommendations aimed at the UNFCCC, the Global Goal on Adaptation (GAA), and national adaptation plans
Development of ethical and equitable pathways to include Indigenous peoples in climate finance mechanisms
Implementation of Indigenous climate adaptation plans through Brazil's Climate Plan
Establishment of direct financing mechanisms to fund Indigenous peoples' climate mitigation and adaptation work in their territories

Read full article from source: Global Voices