COP28 has dedicated its third thematic day to indigenous peoples, recognising their crucial role in safeguarding the environment. Today’s discussions and panels focused on fostering an inclusive energy transition that leaves no one behind and enhancing mechanisms to make financing more accessible.
Indigenous communities worldwide are disproportionately bearing the brunt of climate change’s consequences. Despite accounting for only 6% of the global population, they protect 80 percent of the world’s biodiversity, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
COP26 in Glasgow marked a significant turning point for these communities by announcing a US$1.7 billion pledge to support indigenous peoples until 2025. This timely aid came as a study by Rainforest Foundation Norway, released the same year, revealed that only 1 percent of global climate finance reached indigenous peoples.
The agreement reached in Glasgow represented the first substantial global response to safeguard these communities, who are essential in the
fight against climate change.
The aid is being distributed through organisations like the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC), which comprises institutions from Latin America, Africa, and Asia representing 35 million people from 24 countries. It is being used to combat deforestation, assist communities in protecting against potential threats like pandemics, and boost education and technology development.
Beyond climate finance, which is critical for the conservation, restoration, and protection of nature, indigenous communities also demand to be included at the forefront of negotiations.
“We have united and come with a message to humanity to listen to us and let us teach our wisdom to build a new path,” Uyunkar Domingo Peas, an indigenous leader from the Cuencas Sagradas community in Ecuador and Peru, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the now-running climate summit.
Since 1992, the Achuar leader has been working in the Indigenous Organising Process, striving to integrat
e programmes and channelling aid to territories for education and environmental restoration.
These indigenous communities have specifically proposed a bioregional plan to transition to an economic model that favors nature protection, such as community-based tourism and sustainable entrepreneurship.
“There are many programmes to support the restoration of nature, but they do not reach the indigenous territories, so I have created a foundation to channel this economic support to help us protect biodiversity,” the indigenous explained.
COP28 Dubai has established the ‘Indigenous Peoples’ Ceremonial Circle’ space in the Green Zone to ensure that their voices are heard. The space will host traditional ceremonies to connect visitors with indigenous peoples, their lands, waters, and traditions.
Source: Emirates News Agency