Derecho Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (DAR)

Derecho Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (DAR) is a highly valued reference point for environmental management, rights, and natural resources in the Peruvian Amazon. The organization supports indigenous communities in the Amazon and defends their rights and interests in all policy areas that concern them. 

Large-scale projects 

The construction of roads, large dams, pipelines and other large-scale projects have a huge impact on the ecosystems and the people in the Amazon. DAR analyses together with the communities and local governments which projects benefit the Amazon and its people, under what conditions, and which are disadvantageous.   

Indigenous population 

DAR supports indigenous organizations that develop their own forest protection mechanisms, with respect for the communities. It also requires – in accordance with international and national regulations – that governments and companies consult local people when planning projects in their territory. 

Environmental standards 

The organization follows the environmental policy and its compliance very closely. It puts as much pressure as possible on the government, to prevent the environmental standards from being weakened. For specific aspects, the organization works together with the Ministry of the Environment, to improve the legislation and approach. DAR also follows the climate policy, and the way in which Peru also effectively incorporates its NDCs (National Determined Contributions, engagement in the Paris Agreement). In addition, it supports the local government of the Loreto region, in the development and implementation of an adapted environmental and climate policy and in the prioritization of infrastructure projects that have a lesser impact on the environment.  

As contradictory as it may seem, there is a worldwide pressure to weaken environmental standards. The rush to invest as much as possible causes a 'race to the bottom', which is also reflected in the policies of multilateral organisations (World Bank, Inter-American Bank, etc.). DAR is involved in monitoring the policies of the International Financial Institutions, and together with other organisations and through international networks (also to 11.11.11) to ensure that the bar is not lowered. DAR also made a significant contribution to the complaint filed against the Peruvian government in 2017 under the EU-Peru Free Trade Agreement - due to the Peruvian government's failure to comply with international labour standards and the Peruvian government's flexibilisation of environmental standards (which is in breach of the provisions of the sustainable development chapter).    

Escazú 

The Escazú Agreement is the first regional environmental treaty that promotes citizen participation in decision-making processes that affect their territories. The agreement also provides an important framework for the protection of rights and environmental defenders. In most countries in the region, indigenous communities, peasants and environmental activists are particularly at risk when they defend their rights and environment; they face smear campaigns, criminalization, false prosecutions, illegal detentions, threats, violence and murder. 

DAR played a major role in the development of the agreement (together with civil society organizations from other countries in the region). The agreement entered into force in 2021 and has now been signed and ratified by thirteen countries. Since Peru has not yet done so, DAR is campaigning (#EscazúAhora') for Peru to ratify the agreement. The conservative groups are lobbying strongly to prevent Peru from ratifying the treaty.    

International alliances 

The organization plays an important role in international alliances on climate change, transparency, forest management, etc. - partly because the Amazon region is very important for the climate and biodiversity on a global level. DAR is part of the 'Board of Directors' of the EITI initiative (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative), of working groups on the investment and climate policy of the World Bank (including stopping loans for the exploitation of fossil fuels, etc.).  

DAR has succeeded in putting certain projects that have had a negative impact on the Amazon region on the back burner. For example, the project for the construction of a waterway in the Amazon region (hydrovia) was halted, due to DAR's actions concerning the non-compliance with the (national and international) mandatory prior consultation and the lack of technical studies. 

It also partially revised other projects to reduce their environmental impact.