Why indigenous people matter-- new greenhouse gas-cutting initiatives from avoided deforestation and degradation

While progress to achieve an internationally binding agreement against human-induced climate change appears to stagnate, a groundswell of innovative approaches is taking root. Among promising initiatives, is changing the business model of forest management, the third contributor of climate-warming gases. By offering payments for climate stabilizing services to forest-rich countries, avoiding/reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD+), as a pioneering concept, works to change cost and benefits of land use investments in favor of valuing standing forests: more as stocks of stored carbon rather than wealth of timber and potential farmlands. Championed by rich western donors, REDD+ initiative injects a new momentum for conservation activities in developing countries.

A game changer for sustainable development.  REDD+ aims in part, to transform forest sector policy-making, away from ‘’business as usual’’ top-down decision-making to one that is bottom-up and inclusive. As forward-looking approach, REDD+ builds on strong and broad coalitions of change agents and key stakeholders to address root causes of deforestation and forest degradation.  Engagement of indigenous peoples and local communities is a key marker of its success.

Alongside basic rights guaranteed for all persons, indigenous peoples, as a group, have distinct legal personality.  Due in part to centuries-old historical association with their environments, their survival as a people is protected under specific international instruments, national laws, programming tools and guidelines. States, as duty-bearers, have treaty obligations: must ensure that their rights are respected and concerns fully taken into account in any potential activity, project, legislation or policy that will significantly affect relations with their environments, and survival as a collective.

The exercise of their ‘’free, prior and informed consent’’ and their self-determination, are non-negotiable rights. In fact, as rights-holders, indigenous people can effectively wield a veto — protected by international laws— over development processes that have a potential to impact negatively on their livelihoods. States, development partners, project sponsors and implementers, under international law, must seek and secure their consent, and do so in an appropriate manner— in accordance with their own decision-making processes, culture, language and timelines— before planning and implementing REDD+.

Besides their recognised  rights of ''veto'', indigenous peoples are a very important constituency in the forest sector, too. About 6 % of Africa’s forest is owned, controlled or managed by indigenous and local communities. While in Latin America, the proportion is even higher, at 39 % of the forested area.

They have adopted land use practices, that are sustainable and compatible with their ancestral environments. Based on intimate relations and knowledge of their surroundings, indigenous peoples and local communities, have unparalleled wealth of experience, practical knowledge and expertise. Studies show the value of protected forest under community or indigenous management is relatively higher than other regimes. The forest is not just a resource. It is a  culture. It is a  religion. It is a belief.  And has been so for centuries, predating the colonial era.

Empowering them with a voice makes development and practical sense. Engagement, literally, is a single stone that can shoot two birds:  securing consent, as well as, laying the grounds for achieving key substantive rights— rights to property, food, livelihoods as well as freedom against discrimination etc.  Consultations, in addition, creates an enabling environment, capable of efficiently managing conflicts alongside responding to risks, in a proactive fashion, plus reducing transaction cost. Strengthening their capacity to fully participate in decision-making, builds trust between communities and governments,  in the long run.

REDD+ is a highly political process.  Success, in part, will depend on the extent to which inclusive and broad-based coalitions for reforms are created in countries including effective mechanisms for engaging with indigenous and local communities, often marginalized in land policy development and decision-making.