At COP16 in Cali, Colombia, under the theme “Peace with Nature,” leaders, activists, and experts gathered to address the intertwined crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. Amidst urgent calls for bold action, discussions prioritized the importance of protecting the Amazon.
At Pachamama Alliance and Fundación Pachamama, we believe that words must be transformed into real actions. The conversations at COP16 highlighted the need to protect the Amazon in alliance with Indigenous peoples. Below, we explore four key areas of focus where solutions are being put into practice to create lasting change for the Amazon and its communities.
Environmental Justice: Protecting the Amazon
At the event “Environmental Justice: Protecting and Halting Biodiversity Loss in the Amazon,” Fundación Pachamama presented a report titled Illegal Gold Mining: Impacts on Human Rights and Biodiversity in the Amazon – A Six-Country Perspective, highlighting the devastating effects of illegal mining and deforestation.
Fundación Pachamama's representative, Cristina Melo emphasized, "Any solution must include the voice and participation of those living in these territories and experiencing its effects."
Additionally, Gastón Schulmeister, Director of the Department against Transnational Organized Crime (DTOC) at the Organization of American States (OAS), enriched the dialogue, highlighting the urgency of addressing organized crime in the region. Questions about traceability, raised by Colombia’s Ministry of Environment, sparked further reflection on the challenges of ensuring security and transparency in this sector.
Financing for the Amazon Bioregion: A Regenerative Economy
During the discussion, “Financing Streams for the Amazon Bioregion,” our Vice President Belén Páez shared a vision for a regenerative economy. This model prioritizes sustainability, allowing local communities to benefit directly from the conservation of their ecosystems. By moving away from extractive activities and centering on economic development initiatives that put nature and people first, the Amazon can become a hub for sustainable livelihoods that align with conservation goals.
"Universal basic income is vital to reduce dependence on exploitative jobs that harm both quality of life and ecosystems," Páez noted.
This approach not only enhances the quality of life for Indigenous and local populations but also fosters a resilient economy built on environmental stewardship.
Jaguar Biocultural Credits: Financial Innovation for Conservation
In partnership with the Achuar community of Sharamentsa, Fundación Pachamama launched the “Jaguar Biocultural Credits.” The project seeks to establish an innovative sustainable financing strategy that values and protects both the ecological role of the jaguar in Amazonian ecosystems and its cultural importance for Indigenous peoples. This initiative connects the protection of biodiversity with Indigenous worldview and ancestral knowledge, holistically addressing ecosystem conservation.
Through the creation of these credits, climate justice is advanced, generating direct benefits for local communities and enabling them to develop sustainable economies in harmony with their territory.
Bioeconomy for the Amazon: Conservation and Livelihoods
Javier Félix, Executive Director of Fundación Pachamama, highlighted the transformative potential of the bioeconomy in the Amazon. He emphasized that developing sustainable value chains for Amazonian products can create economic alternatives that safeguard the natural environment.
Complementing this vision, Fernanda Sánchez, coordinator of the SACHA Project (co-financed by USAID), shared how the initiative supports conservation and sustainable use of the Ecuadorian Amazon. These efforts demonstrate how partnerships with local communities can anchor economic growth in the principles of environmental integrity and cultural respect.
Together, these initiatives offer a compelling roadmap for aligning economic development with the urgent need to protect the Amazon. By working in harmony with Indigenous peoples and fostering innovative solutions, we can advance a future where nature and humanity coexist in mutual flourishing.
