ELATIA Indigenous Peoples Partnership on Climate Change and Nia Tero
Indigenous Peoples’ time-immemorial, reciprocal and spiritual relationship to their lands, waters and the living and non-living beings within these areas have enabled them to be effective guardians of Earth. Recent scientific studies have revealed that up to 80 per cent of forest biodiversity and at least 22 per cent (218 gigatons) of all carbon in tropical and sub-tropical forests (including above- and below-ground) is stored in Indigenous Peoples’ territories. This event explores the concept of Climate Finance and its relevance and application to Indigenous Peoples, as well as the safeguards and mechanisms that have been put in place for climate mitigation and adaptation activities that affect Indigenous Peoples. The speakers will present information on how much Climate Finance has been flowing to Indigenous Peoples and the existence of financial mechanisms that are directly accessible for Indigenous Peoples. There will also be a discussion of existing policies on Indigenous Peoples within the various financial mechanisms that address climate change and a presentation on how these policies have been applied. A specific case taken up by the Independent Redress Mechanism of the Green Climate Funds, involving a project in Peru that affects Indigenous Peoples, will be presented and discussed. Finally, some recommendations and ways forward will be proposed to ensure that adequate, appropriate and equitable Climate Finance from public, private and alternative sources flow directly to Indigenous Peoples and in ways that respect their rights.
Speakers include:
- Stanley Kimaren Ole Riamit (Maasai), Executive Director,Indigenous Livelihood Enhancement Partners, Kenya
- Sam Johnston, Consultant for the Green Climate Fund; World Bank; UNDP; Tebtebba (Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education) and the International Savanna Fire Management Initiative, Australia
- Eileen Mairena Cunningham (Miskito), Active Observer for CSOs - Developing countries constituency to the Green Climate Fund, Nicaragua
- Grace Balawag (Kankanaey-Igorot), former Indigenous Peoples’ observer at the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF) Trust Fund Committee and the Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program (SREP) Sub-Committee of the Climate Investment Funds of the World Bank, Philippines
- Helen Biangalen-Magata (Kadaclan), former alternate Active Observer for CSOs - Developing countries constituency to the Green Climate Fund, Philippines (moderator)