Pity, Indigenous Peoples Only Get 1% of Climate Change Funds


 Indigenous peoples and local communities manage half of the world's land and care for 80% of the world's biodiversity. However, a recent study from the Rainforest Foundation Norway shows that indigenous peoples and local communities have received less than 1% of climate change funds earmarked for preventing deforestation.

Therefore, the UK, Germany, the US, and several other countries at the COP26 Summit last November 2, announced cooperation with 17 contributors to commit to investing a total of USD 1.7 billion to help Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in protecting tropical forests.


President Jokowi at the COP26 Summit also conveyed Indonesia's commitment in handling climate change which is a major threat to prosperity and development globally. With such great natural potential, Indonesia continues to contribute in addressing climate change through the rehabilitation of mangrove forests and critical lands targeted by 2030 to absorb clean carbon.



Ford Foundation Indonesia added that, as climate change occurs, there is an important role for Indonesian indigenous peoples as protectors of one of the largest remaining tropical forests in the world.


"We need to encourage indigenous peoples and local communities to participate in decision-making, and build partnerships with the government to protect Indonesia's tropical forests," said Alexander Irwan, Regional Director of the Ford Foundation Jakarta.


Through the COP26 Summit, it was also conveyed that the contributors showed commitment by announcing a joint initial financing of USD 1.7 billion for 2021-2025. This funding is intended to help strengthen the position of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities as protectors of forests and nature.


According to research, forests contribute 37 percent to climate mitigation targets. Protecting forests, which are home to biodiversity, can prevent encounters between humans and wildlife which means reducing the entry of harmful pathogens into the population.


There is increasing evidence that Indigenous Peoples are the most effective protectors of tropical forests and their biodiversity. A study published in October reinforces the argument that there is urgency needed to scale up solutions against tropical forest destruction.


In a comprehensive analysis of global commitments to protect forests, the authors also push for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to be recognized and guaranteed, and to put communities as a priority.

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