Yesterday, on the second full day of the UN’s COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, the governments of the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, the United States, the Netherlands, and 17 funders announced the creation of a $1.7 billion fund to support Indigenous Peoples and grassroots communities globally. The decision was based on a recognition that grassroots Indigenous communities, organizations and leaders play a vital and proven role in combating deforestation that fuels climate change.
Land is Life applauds these governments and funders for this historic commitment, and urges policymakers tasked with implementing these funds to prioritize the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples when making decisions. For millennia, Indigenous Peoples have been constructing social and economic systems – ways of living – that allow them to live in harmony with the Earth. Where they have managed to maintain control of their ancestral territories is where we can still find clean rivers, healthy ecosystems and over 80% of the Earth’s remaining biological diversity.
We are grateful for the ongoing support from several members of the pledge group, including Ford Foundation, The Christensen Fund, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Nia Tero and Re:wild. These partners allow Land is Life to support its Indigenous-led, international coalition working to advance the self-determination and collective rights of Indigenous peoples. We look forward to supporting the grassroots work required to achieve these critical, historic goals.