Indigenous Lands and Protected Areas (ILPAs)

Between 2003 and 2005, the Brazilian government created the unprecedented expanse of 600,000 km² of new protected areas. The World Bank estimates that 3.6 million square kilometers of tropical forests worldwide are designated as Indigenous Lands and Protected Areas (ILPAs). These areas, as large as Argentina and Chile combined, amount to more than a quarter of the world’s tropical forest resources.

As a REDD framework is negotiated, it is important to recognise ILPAs as a cheap, easy and effective way governments can protect forests and local livelihoods. Establishing and protecting a network of ILPAs would cost an estimated 9-13% of the capital that could be mobilized annually by international REDD frameworks. On a national level, expenses would also be avoided because of pre-existing infrastructures such as governmental protected areas departments and indigenous people’s agencies.

Simulating future deforestation rates, a report published last week showed how ILPAs established between 2003-2007 could prevent 272,000km² deforestation between now and 2050, equal to 3.3 +-1.1 GtC, more than 1/3 of the world's annual CO₂e emissions.

While forming barriers against frontier expansion, incorporating ILPAs in REDD also ensures that indigenous peoples are fully represented and can benefit from being part of the decision-making process.

http://www.plosbiology.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pbio.1000331