WP 1 (objective 1). Co-analysing climate change institutional responses (Lead: Dr Dayse Alburquerque, Dr Silvia Cardoso, Dr Adriana Portella).

Phase 1 – Policy co-analysis and review: this WP will be co-designed by The Research Indigenous Communities of Practice in Brazil (RICOP) members (implemented by WP4). The aim is to conduct an in-depth reflective analysis of existing climate policies at local, regional, and national levels in Brazil (e.g. The National Policy on Climate Change, The National Fund on Climate Change, etc). We search to identify gaps and barriers for Amazon Indigenous knowledge inclusion and recognition within environmental governance policies. We will examine policy documents, legislative frameworks, and implementation strategies and evaluate their effectiveness, coherence, and alignment with Indigenous communities’ ontologies and knowledge values. Network analysis: RICOP members and the research team will map out networks of institutions involved in climate governance in Brazil. We will identify key actors, their roles, and collaborations with Indigenous communities (e.g. Brazil Climate Centre; Greenpeace Brazil; Coordination of Indigenous Organisations of the Brazilian Amazon; The Indigenous Committee on Climate Change in Brazil, etc.). We will assess the effectiveness of these networks in driving climate action in Brazil, and their actions to guarantee formal recognition and inclusion of Amazon Indigenous ontologies and knowledge within environmental governance. Ethical approval for access Indigenous lands in WP2: All research procedures will be developed according to Heriot-Watt University ethics resolutions, the Brazilian Research Ethics Committees (CEP), and the Brazilian National Research Ethics Commission (CONEP). The timeline research procedures approval for WP2 (access to Indigenous land) is included in WP1 (4 months). Indigenous leaders have already granted us access to their communities (WP2).

Phase 2 – Stakeholder’s in-depth interviews: RICOP members and the research team will engage with climate change government officials, policymakers, and Indigenous leaders in Brazil. We aim to explore how different levels of governance coordinate climate actions and recognition of Amazon Indigenous communities’ ontologies and knowledge values on the climate public debate. Interviews will be undertaken online or face to face as preferred. The research team members have already established connections with these stakeholders. Interview design will be co-led by RICOP members and the research team considering cultural sensitivity and respect. Thematic data analysis will be adopted.