Recognition of Indigenous Peoples in Nationally Determined Contributions

Indigenous Peoples positioned themselves in multilateral climate negotiations through their advocacy. Although the international community gradually recognises Indigenous Peoples’ contributions to climate governance, a rights-based approach in national climate action is still largely absent.

This policy paper maps governments’ climate commitments under the Paris Agreement -the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)- and analyses to what degree they recognise Indigenous Peoples’ rights in climate governance.

Serving as input to the Global Stocktake, the analysis applies a five-pronged framework by assessing how the NDCs recognise:

1. Indigenous Peoples as rights holders;
2. Indigenous jurisdiction over land;
3. Indigenous knowledge systems;
4. Indigenous Peoples’ right to full and effective participation in climate governance; and
5. the legacy of colonialism.

Mentions related to Indigenous Peoples in the NDCs are increasing; however, questions remain about the standards of this recognition. Sufficient and appropriate mechanisms are not yet in place to operationalise this recognition. Parties must therefore make more significant efforts to ensure that the NDCs take a rights-based approach and contribute to strengthening Indigenous Peoples’ role and say in climate governance.