RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples clearly states that indigenous peoples have
the right to their land, territories and resources, and participate in decision-making processes directly
relevant to their lands and territories. Further, their Free, Prior and Informed Consent- FPIC is required
in the formulation of laws and policies, programmes and projects that concerns them. So far, however
indigenous peoples are and their organizations have not been allowed to participate effectively in
the discussion on climate change mitigation schemes like REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation
and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries), and their right to FPIC, and to their land, territories
and resources continue being ignored
The potential contribution of indigenous peoples’ land management systems to REDD and climate
change mitigation in general has so far received far too little attention. This despite the fact that in
Brazil, for example, it was found that recognizing indigenous peoples’ rights over their territories is
the most effective way of preventing deforestation. Recognizing indigenous peoples’ rights to land,
territories and resources, and their land-use and management practices in REDD and other climate
change mitigation schemes is therefore not only an obligation emanating from the provisions of the
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples but can also substantially contribute to more
effective climate change mitigation. Climate mitigation partnerships with indigenous peoples offer
opportunities for policy makers to creat win-win situations in which national and global environmental
concerns as well as poverty and human rights concerns can be simultanously addressed