By Abbas Nazil
Indigenous communities across the globe made their presence strongly felt at the COP30 climate talks in Belem, Brazil, flooding streets and the conference venue with demonstrations, cultural performances and calls for greater climate justice.
As the summit ended on November 22, many Indigenous representatives reflected on whether their increased visibility translated into meaningful influence, with several saying the conference fell short of true empowerment.
The talks, hosted in the Amazon and expected to elevate Indigenous voices, acknowledged for the first time in its main political text the rights of Indigenous Peoples, including their land rights and traditional knowledge.
Some delegates welcomed this milestone, including Taily Terena of Brazil’s Terena nation, who said she was pleased to see these rights explicitly stated.
Others argued that recognition alone is insufficient without concrete action, especially on fossil fuel reduction.
Mindahi Bastida of the Otomi-Toltec people said countries should have committed to phasing out oil, gas and coal and urged leaders to stop treating nature as a commodity.
The final agreement made no mention of reducing fossil fuels, leaving many attendees disappointed.
Brazil also introduced a new financial mechanism to support forest-rich nations in conserving ecosystems.
However, critics like Jacob Johns of the Akimel O’Otham and Hopi nations dismissed carbon markets as “false solutions” that allow corporations to continue polluting under the guise of offsets.
Several Indigenous leaders said the conference prioritized symbolic representation over real decision-making power.
Sara Olsvig of the Inuit Circumpolar Council said visibility at COP30 did not translate into effective participation, a sentiment echoed by others who argued that 900 Indigenous participants at the main venue were still not enough.
Brazil’s Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara, offered a contrasting view, calling COP30 the most inclusive summit yet for Indigenous representation.
Despite mixed outcomes, many said they felt strengthened by solidarity through protests both inside and outside the venue.
From breaking a security barrier to gain entry to marching in the halls with drums and banners, Indigenous groups said collective action helped amplify their voices and reaffirm their unity in demanding climate justice.