Report on Protecting the Amazon and Advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction: Climate Crisis Impact on Frontline Communities

In remote areas of the Amazon rainforest, communities face severe environmental challenges as rivers recede due to drought and deforestation. These conditions threaten food security and access to clean water, disproportionately affecting families who have contributed least to climate change. Similar hardships are observed from Brazil to the Sahel and across small island states. This situation highlights the urgent need for global action aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

COP30: A Critical Opportunity for Climate Action

The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30), scheduled for November 2025 in Belém, Brazil, on the edge of the Amazon, represents a pivotal moment for global leaders to address climate change and forest conservation. This summit coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, emphasizing the need to accelerate progress toward SDG 13 and related goals.

Global Citizen’s “Protect the Amazon” Campaign

To leverage the momentum of COP30, Global Citizen has launched the Protect the Amazon campaign. The initiative aims to build pressure on governments, corporations, and financial institutions to fulfill climate commitments through:

1. Mobilizing citizen-led advocacy and political engagement.
2. Utilizing major cultural and political events to raise awareness.
3. Promoting sustainable practices and climate finance.

The campaign will culminate in the Global Citizen Festival: Amazonia, a landmark concert in Belém designed to highlight the Amazon’s importance and inspire global action. The event will also set a benchmark for sustainability in large-scale events in South America, aligning with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Key Demands for COP30

Global Citizen urges COP30 participants to deliver concrete support for frontline communities by:

• Committing bold funding for climate adaptation: Ensuring access to food security, clean water, resilient housing, and enhanced capacity to withstand climate impacts, directly supporting SDG 2, SDG 6, and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• Increasing financing for loss and damage: Providing compensation for homes, crops, and livelihoods lost despite mitigation and adaptation efforts, reinforcing SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
• Integrating commitments into national climate and development plans: Establishing clear goals, timelines, and resource allocations to support vulnerable groups including Indigenous Peoples, smallholder farmers, and coastal families, in line with SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Role of Global Citizens in Climate Justice

Global citizens play a crucial role in demanding climate justice by:

• Raising awareness and advocating for accountability from governments, corporations, and financial institutions.
• Supporting frontline communities affected by climate change impacts such as floods, droughts, and food insecurity.
• Promoting equitable access to renewable energy and sustainable livelihoods, advancing SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

This collective action is essential to safeguard the Amazon rainforest, ensure food and water security, and preserve a livable planet for future generations, directly contributing to multiple SDGs.

Conclusion: The Path Forward

The climate crisis demands urgent political will and coordinated global efforts. Proven solutions exist, including:

• Transitioning to clean energy sources.
• Implementing resilient agricultural practices.
• Protecting Indigenous rights and territories.
• Ensuring fair and adequate climate finance.

Achieving these objectives requires the world’s largest emitters to support the most affected communities financially and politically. By doing so, the global community can advance the Sustainable Development Goals and build a safer, more just future before it is too late.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 13: Climate Action – The article focuses heavily on climate change impacts, adaptation, and mitigation efforts, especially in vulnerable communities like those in the Amazon rainforest.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land – The protection and preservation of the Amazon rainforest and its biodiversity are central themes.
3. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article mentions threats to food security caused by drought and environmental degradation.
4. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Water scarcity and unsafe water access are highlighted as critical issues.
5. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The article notes the lack of access to renewable energy for millions in frontline communities.
6. SDG 1: No Poverty – The connection between climate impacts and extreme poverty in vulnerable communities is emphasized.
7. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article stresses the disproportionate impact of climate change on communities that contributed least to the crisis.
8. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – Calls for political will, accountability, and fair climate finance relate to governance and justice.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 13 – Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
   • Target 13.b: Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing states.
2. SDG 15 – Life on Land
   • Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
3. SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
4. SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
5. SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
6. SDG 1 – No Poverty
   • Target 1.5: Build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.
7. SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices.
8. SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators related to SDG 13 (Climate Action):
   • Number of countries with national adaptation plans and climate policies (implied by calls for integrated climate and development plans).
   • Greenhouse gas emissions levels (implied by references to rising emissions and the 1.5°C target).
   • Amount of climate finance committed and disbursed to vulnerable communities (implied by demands for funding for adaptation and loss and damage).
2. Indicators related to SDG 15 (Life on Land):
   • Forest area as a proportion of total land area (implied by concerns about deforestation and forest shrinking).
   • Rate of deforestation and forest degradation.
3. Indicators related to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger):
   • Prevalence of undernourishment or food insecurity in affected communities (implied by shrinking food supplies).
4. Indicators related to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation):
   • Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services (implied by unsafe water access).
5. Indicators related to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):
   • Proportion of population with access to renewable energy sources (implied by lack of access to renewable energy).
6. Indicators related to SDG 1 (No Poverty):
   • Number of people affected by climate-related disasters and their recovery status (implied by loss and damage compensation).
7. Indicators related to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Disparities in climate impact exposure between vulnerable and wealthier populations (implied by disproportionate impacts).
8. Indicators related to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Existence and implementation of fair climate finance mechanisms and accountability measures (implied by calls for political will and fair finance).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: globalcitizen.org