COP30 Discovers Indigenous Rights Exist, Between Corporate Sponsorships
Indigenous people at COP30 in Brazil protest that their land is not for sale, decrying agribusiness, oil exploration, and illegal mining. How quaint. While the cameras roll, these same 'climate' summits are routinely bankrolled by fossil fuel giants and extractive industries. For instance, COP28 boasted over 2,400 fossil fuel lobbyists, more than any previous COP, while its presidency was held by
the CEO of the UAE's state-owned oil company, ADNOC. (UNFCCC, The Guardian, 2023) So, when the global elite clap for Indigenous voices on stage, one might wonder if they're listening, or just waiting for the next drilling permit to be signed. It seems 'Our Land is Not For Sale' is only true until the right multinational corporation makes a convenient 'development' offer and the host nation gives
its blessing.