On February 6th, the European Commission announced an ambitious target, declaring that the EU should slash greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040. The goal has been cheered by some environmental activists and experts—though others have highlighted the fact that these targets are extraordinarily ambitious and will require a no-holds-barred approach, using every tool to reduce emissions. Poland, for example, is sceptical of the new climate target’s feasibility, advocating for Brussels to make adjustments to limit the negative impact on society and the economy.
Such ambitious recommendations from the Commission come at a time when Europe is facing serious questions about how best to advance on environmental initiatives without antagonising or excluding any key stakeholders. One must only look at the streets filled with tractors from France to Greece to know that thus far Brussels has failed to do so. In the midst of such friction, European decisionmakers would be well-served by looking beyond the bloc to see how initiatives are finding ways to include stakeholders while at the same time maintaining sustainability at the forefront of their aims.
Learnings from the lungs of the earth
The Amazon rainforest, which a recent study found is even more ecologically vulnerable than previously thought and could reach a dangerous “tipping point” in coming decades if concerted action is not taken, has experience being the testing ground for innovative and dynamic solutions to sustainably revitalize such an essential part of the world.
One particularly ambitious project is in the works in Brazil’s Amazonas state: the Mejuruá project. Mejuruá aims to conserve over 900,000 hectares of rainforest, thereby conserving an incredibly large carbon sink and avoiding an estimated 2.7 million tonnes of CO2 emissions a year. While this environmental impact alone would be huge, what sets the Mejuruá project apart is the project’s focus on engaging with and empowering local communities.
Projects that have social inclusion at their core are empirically proven to be more successful, and the inclusion of local peoples is key to successful conservation, something which the Mejuruá project certainly seems to have taken onboard in its endeavour to craft a sustainable conservation and emissions reduction model.
Unlike many REDD+ initiatives, the Mejuruá project is characterised by strong job creation, anticipating the creation of at least 400 new direct full-time jobs in forest management, wood transformation, and power generation activities. What’s more, the Mejuruá project puts significant emphasis on the upskilling of the local population. It will also contribute to a general increase in the level of local economic activity, developing additional offers of goods and services and providing vital infrastructure such as Internet connectivity and clean and affordable energy.
It’s not just Mejuruá who has understood that a program can flourish or fail based on its social aspect. The Envira Amazonia Project, for example, is avoiding the deforestation of nearly 40,000 hectares of the Amazon rainforest and aims to reduce 12.5 million metric tons of CO2 over the first ten years of the project. Envira places special emphasis on education, offering courses on several key topics such as alternatives to fire in land preparation and improved pasture management. To make sure that women can participate in these vital trainings, childcare is also provided during the courses. By helping to offer alternative income sources, such as rubber, the program has revived the local rubber-tapping industry by cultivating rubber trees on already deforested land. These alternative economic options provide added value for local communities, increasing engagement and taking the pressure off the forest.
Jari Amapá is another example of creative solutions for social inclusion in the context of preservation and conservation. Located in the Jari River Valley in Amapá, Jari Amapá has a conservation area of 66,000 hectares, saving some 115,000 tons of emissions a year, and aims to have a significant social impact. Through technical training and capacity building in rural production, agriculture, and forestry techniques that align with the local families’ needs. By assisting the local community with income generation, the goal is to help stakeholders understand that the benefits of conservation for themselves, the climate, and the biodiversity of the region far outweigh limited short-term gains.
These various undertakings all illustrate the importance of understanding that the conservation of natural resources and the avoidance of carbon emissions is a holistic exercise, one that can only be sustainably accomplished when all stakeholders are consulted and empowered, both to take part in the conservation process and to reap the benefits.
Telling a convincing story about sustainability
These initiatives have put a particular focus on not only coordinating with local communities, but in convincing them that sustainable initiatives are truly in their best interests, including economically. It’s a lesson which European policymakers, facing a spring of discontent from the farmers they have failed to adequately take into consideration, would do well to take to heart.
Backing down on sustainability goals is not a viable option, but the path to achieving those objectives necessitates a more inclusive and engaging approach. As the example of the various innovative sustainability projects in the Amazon Basin underlines, successful environmental policy must incorporate the voices and needs of those most affected. This includes not only ensuring that farmers and rural communities are consulted and involved in the policymaking process but also providing them with the necessary support and resources to adapt to and thrive in a changing climate. By learning from global examples of stakeholder engagement and sustainable development, Europe can pave a more equitable and effective path toward its environmental objectives.
European sustainability initiatives must be designed with a keen understanding of the socio-economic realities faced by affected stakeholders like farmers, offering them a stake in the transition to more sustainable practices. This approach not only fosters broader acceptance and cooperation but also ensures the long-term viability and resilience of Europe’s agricultural sector. As Europe strives toward its ambitious climate targets, the integration of social justice into environmental policy will be a key component of success, ensuring that the march towards sustainability is a shared, inclusive journey that leaves no one behind.
Stay updated with all the insights.
Navigate news, 1 email day.
Subscribe to Qrius
