At issue is the impact that any new system designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation around the globe will have on forest dwelling indigenous peoples and local communities.
"The rights of indigenous peoples and forest communities must be addressed as we work towards an international agreement on climate change, and it has also been shown that where indigenous peoples and local communities retain control of forest areas these places fare much better in keeping their natural values," said Nikki Reisch of the Rainforest Foundation UK.
ECA is a powerful alliance of environment and social NGOs committed to keeping natural terrestrial ecosystems intact and their carbon out of the atmosphere, in an equitable and transparent way that respects the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.
The Ecosystems Climate Alliance (ECA) has welcomed Australia’s endorsement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, news which has heartened member non-government organisations attending UN Climate Change negotiations in Bonn, Germany.
"We congratulate Australia on taking the important step of endorsing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We are encouraged that it has followed up in the Bonn talks with mention of indigenous peoples when addressing deforestation and forest degradation measures," said Virginia Young of the Wilderness Society.
"We hope to see more of this focus in their negotiating position as countries work towards Copenhagen."
In the climate change negotiations re Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD), ECA wants the following specific points incorporated into Australia’s position:
· REDD must adequately address the rights, interests and needs of indigenous peoples and local communities.
· REDD must respect and promote these rights, and reaffirm rights and benefits under other international instruments and treaties, including, inter alia, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
· The following principles, derived from the UNDRIP, must be ensured:
o Free, prior and informed consent,
o Meaningful participation,
o The right to self-determination and self-government,
o Fair and equitable benefit-sharing,
o Land tenure and land rights, and
o The right to management and customary use of natural resources.
· REDD must be developed through broad consultation and multi-stakeholder processes, involving, inter alia, establishment of national REDD groups.
For more information:
In Bonn: Nikki Reish, Rainforest Foundation UK, +44 759 539 4596
In Australia: Virginia Young, The Wilderness Society +61 417 223 280 (dial 0417 223 280 in Australia)