Indigenous Peoples' Climate Change Portal

The IIPFCC, gathered in Bonn on the occasion of the sessions of the AWG-LCA and AWG-KP, welcomes the negotiations based on the July 9, 2010 text of the Chairperson. This is a step forward for reaching a positive outcome in Cancun. Nevertheless, the text fails to acknowledge the internationally recognized status of indigenous peoples with the right to self determination and their collective rights to their lands, territories and resources. Indigenous peoples across the world are disproportionately affected by climate change and yet have not been allowed full and effective participation in the negotiations as required by Articles 19 and 41 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Therefore we insist that any decision or action undertaken by the Parties will have to be founded on a strong rights-based approach and framework – specifically including the UNDRIP, Indigenous Tribal Peoples Convention (ILO 169), and other international human rights obligations and instruments – and on the recognition of historical responsibility and ecological debt. Proper consideration should be given to the indigenous peoples’ Anchorage Declaration of April 2009 and to the indigenous peoples´ declaration adopted at the Cochabamba Peoples’ Summit, April 2010. Accordingly, the following overarching principles will have to be enshrined in any agreement of the UNFCCC bodies:

1. All policies, plans and programmes related to climate change must ensure the collective human rights of indigenous peoples, securing their rights to their water, lands and territories, forests, and all other resources including carbon, in accordance with international human rights obligations and instruments. Indigenous peoples’ rights to self-determination must be recognized and respected in all climate change related policies, initiatives and actions.

2. The full and effective participation of indigenous peoples, through representatives of their own choosing, must be ensured in all processes, initiatives and actions related to climate change. All legislation, policies, plans, and programmes should include indigenous men, women and youth equally.

3. Indigenous peoples’ right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) should be guaranteed during all stages of all processes, policies, initiatives and programmes related to climate change, including formulation, adoption, design, planning, implementation and Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV).

4. The interdependent and spiritual relationship of indigenous peoples with their ancestral lands, territories, forests, water and other natural resources, as well as their traditional knowledge and practices, should be recognized, promoted and respected, as fundamental contributions to address the climate crisis.

On the Interim REDD Partnership, indigenous peoples are disappointed by their lack of representation and that of civil society. Indigenous peoples who live in and have historically managed and protected the forests must be involved in any negotiations or bodies that deal with REDD and forests. If the Interim REDD partnership is to have legitimacy, it must ensure the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and it must recognize their rights and their historical role in the protection and sustainable use of forests.

We reiterate our call for states to come forward with a legally binding agreement at COP 16. We cannot afford a repetition of Copenhagen and we expect the full cooperation of all Parties.

IIPFCC Statement on the current Climate Negotiations, 5 Aug 2010

IIPFCC Statement on the current Climate Negotiations, 5 Aug 2010 - SPANISH