A new editorial by Mafalda Duarte, Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund, and Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, published by Thomson Reuters on August 9, highlights the vital role Indigenous Peoples play in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. Representing only 5% of the world's population, Indigenous communities manage nearly half of the planet’s lands and forests, home to 80% of global biodiversity. Their traditional knowledge and sustainable practices offer invaluable insights into building a more sustainable future.
Despite their contributions, Indigenous Peoples face numerous threats from external pressures like agriculture and mining, compounded by a lack of financial support. Alarmingly, less than 1% of climate finance currently reaches these communities. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is addressing this gap by investing $4 billion across 80 countries to empower Indigenous Peoples, with an Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group ensuring these funds are used effectively.
In honor of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Duarte and Al Mubarak urge global actors to increase support for Indigenous communities and incorporate their wisdom into climate strategies. A new global study, supported by the Mohamed Bin Zayed Foundation, aims to document Indigenous contributions to climate action, reinforcing the case for enhanced financial backing. As custodians of our planet, Indigenous Peoples must be integral partners in our shared journey toward sustainability.
Read the editorial by Mafalda Duarte and Razan Al Mubarak at Context.