When it comes to protecting, conserving, and sustainably managing our forests and natural environments, the leadership of Indigenous peoples and local communities plays a critical role. When Indigenous peoples and local communities hold secure land rights, their territories are associated with lower rates of deforestation, reduced carbon emissions, better biodiversity protection, and improved livelihoods. Yet, over the last decade, only 1% of all international climate finance has gone to Indigenous peoples and local communities. CIF is part of the solution and has been channeling direct funding for initiatives led by Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) as part of its nature-based solutions programs.
On CoP28’s Indigenous Peoples Day, this session, co-hosted with the Government of Zambia, will bring together champions of Indigenous leadership from across the developing world to discuss innovative ways to mobilize new sources of financing for nature and the role that climate finance can play in empowering local leaders.