Charting a Just Transition for Indigenous Peoples

Written on 13 December 2024.

“We are Earth. Earth is us.”

Indigenous Peoples have endured centuries of violence, exploitation, and displacement - facing murder, enslavement and forced relocation, while their lands have been militarized and criminalized. Despite this, their rights are repeatedly sidelined in the global push to tackle the climate crisis. International summits and national plans for a sustainable future promise progress but often exclude those most affected by these decisions: Indigenous Peoples. Even when it concerns the lands they have protected for generations, their perspectives are ignored or marginalized. Yet they remain resilient; continuing to safeguard their territories and traditions. With their holistic worldview and deep-rooted understanding of nature and sustainability, Indigenous Peoples hold invaluable insights for a green transition, offering solutions that are not only ecologically sound but also culturally and socially just.

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COP16: UN Biodiversity Conference was a victory for Indigenous Peoples and their role as indispensable protectors of the diversity of life on Earth

Written on 23 November 2024.

COP16 (UN Biodiversity Conference) resulted in a historic decision for Indigenous Peoples and their rights, marking an important step on the way to recognizing them and their invaluable knowledge of ecosystems.

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IWGIA’s reaction to the COP 29 outcome

Written on 27 November 2024.

Left to right: IWGIA Climate Advisor, Stefan Thorsell; UCRT Executive Director, Paine Mako; Maasai Elder, Metui Ole Shaudo; and PINGO's Forum Climate Manager, Gideon Sanago

In the lead up to COP 29, and indeed throughout the conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, Indigenous Peoples from all seven socio-cultural regions engaged in active advocacy to ensure an ambitious and just outcome upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples. 

In the early hours of 24 November 2024, the conference concluded with an utterly controversial and disappointing outcome. The closing statement of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) speaks for itself.

Hereby IWGIA’s reaction to the COP 29 outcome.

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The Decolonizing Climate Policy Project

Written on 06 November 2024.

BY INDIGENOUS CLIMATE ACTION FOR DEBATES INDÍGENAS

Climate change's roots are deeply entwined with colonialism's legacy. As its devastating effects increasingly target Indigenous communities, we face an urgent imperative: to decolonize climate policy and amplify Indigenous-led solutions. This shift is not just ethical but essential, recognizing that those most affected often possess invaluable knowledge for addressing the crisis. By empowering Indigenous voices and traditional ecological wisdom, we can forge more equitable, effective responses to our shared environmental challenges.

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