The ‘carbon pirates’ preying on Amazon’s Indigenous communities

Selling credits should fund forest protection, but unscrupulous firms are making deals where land stewards lose out, say local leaders

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A number of Indigenous communities in the Amazon say that “carbon pirates” have become a threat to their way of life as western companies seek to secure deals in their territories for offsetting projects.

Across the world’s largest rainforest, Indigenous leaders say they are being approached by carbon offsetting firms promising significant financial benefits from the sale of carbon credits if they establish new projects on their lands, as the $2bn (£1.6bn) market booms with net zero commitments from companies in Europe and North America.