COP30, Belem: Linburg Pearson, Mapping and Monitoring Coordinator at the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), on Monday, participated in a discussion around the usage of mapping data to fuel forest justice.
The event was hosted by Tenure Facility on the sidelines of COP30 in Belem, Brazil. It focused on the furtherance of deforestation as a result of weak governance, corporate greenwashing and systemic neglect. The panel of speakers included Executive Director of the Tenure Facility, Nonette Royo, MapBiomas General Coordinator, Tasso Azevedo, Nicole Rycroft, Founder & Executive Director, Canopy Planet, and Hasiba Haq, Associate Director of The Audacious Project.
Mapping initiatives like MapBiomas are shifting the balance of power by making land-use change visible and equipping communities, journalists, and activists with undeniable evidence to protect forests. The panel discussed how data, land rights and advocacy can fuel global movements and help hold governments and corporations accountable.
MapBiomas General Coordinator Azevedo mentioned that he does not care who uses the data his platform or network provides, just that it is used. However, in terms of Indigenous data, he noted that nothing is published publicly unless given the okay from the community. The panel also discussed the future of collaboration, emphasising that Indigenous Peoples already have the motivation and determination to protect and defend their lands, making mutual support essential. They noted that while each organisation has its own area of expertise, working together allows for greater collective impact.
Reflecting on the event, Pearson highlighted that MapBiomas’ work and land-use platform could bring significant benefits to Indigenous communities in Guyana. As District Councils become more organised and begin engaging in land and territorial management, access to reliable land and resource use would greatly support their planning efforts. Using satellite imagery and remote sensing, the platform can help identify various land activities such as mining, logging, farming, water sources, and forest cover—allowing for clearer interpretation, analysis, and comparison of data. This, in turn, strengthens territorial planning and management by enabling communities to track changes over time and take action to address emerging threats.
Although the platform is not yet fully operational in Guyana, there have been prior discussions about its implementation. APA and North Pakaraimas District Council staff previously participated in a five-day training session on the system, but progress has since slowed locally, while neighbouring Suriname has made notable advancements.
Baseline data exists for the Guianas, though it has not yet been made official. Despite these challenges, Pearson emphasised that adopting such a platform would be highly valuable for Indigenous communities across the region.