The ABA Section of Environment Energy & Resources Native American Resources Committee is hosting a free Upcoming Community Conversation: “Utility or Futility? REDD+, Carbon Credits, and Indigenous-led Forest Protection” on Apr 25, 2023 12:00 PM CT. 

Register: https://americanbar.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUpduuuqzspEtYhXEbSfKtwqi-zEzpt6BqP

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) and other programs aim to protect forest areas and prevent deforestation while benefitting Indigenous and local communities. But just how effective are these programs, particularly when it comes to respecting the principles of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)? Join this roundtable discussion to pinpoint the policy aspirations surrounding the protection of forest areas and to ascertain from multiple points of view whether these “carbon credit” programs are effective, particularly for Indigenous communities whose traditional lands overlap the areas targeted for projects. The discussion aims to result in a Report and Recommendation in support of an ABA Resolution to be submitted for approval by the ABA’s House of Delegates at the ABA’s annual or mid-year meeting. 

Relevant questions for debate and discussion will include: Are these programs effective in the first place? Do they achieve what they intend to do, including benefitting Indigenous and local communities? Are they consistent with the goals outlined in COP meetings? Do they engage all relevant Indigenous governments and stakeholders? 

This first Roundtable will be moderated by Tom O’Keefe, Co-Chair of the ABA International Law Section’s International Energy & Environmental Law Committee, and facilitated by Altamush Saeed and Bryan Van Stippen. 

The following short news articles will be the basis for the discussion but the facilitators welcome any and all knowledge holders from any perspective on the subject. Article 1: [https://features.propublica.org/brazil-carbon-offsets/inconvenient-truth-carbon-credits-dont-work-deforestation-redd-acre-cambodia/] Article 2: [https://news.mongabay.com/2021/09/forest-finance-expected-to-advance-under-new-trees-standard-and-leaf-coalition/]

The Tribal Law Journal at the University of New Mexico School of Law is currently accepting abstracts addressing the impacts of Johnson v. M’Intosh on Native communities and tribal governments. The deadline is March 15, 2023. See below for more information. 

Here is the cert petition:

Question presented:

Lower court materials here.