Guide on Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples

First Principle of theEcosystem ApproachAdopted by the CBDThe objectives of management of land,water and living resources are a matter ofsocietal choice. It recognizes that differentsectors of society view ecosystems interms of their own economic, culturaland societal needs. Indigenous peoplesand other local communities living on theland are important stakeholders and theirrights and interests should be recognized.Both cultural and biological diversity arecentral components of the ecosystemapproach, and management should takethis into account. Societal choices shouldbe expressed as clearly as possible.Ecosystems should be managed for theirintrinsic values and for the tangible orintangible benefits for humans, in a fair andequitable way.Photo Credit: Montañosa ResearchDevelopment Center4 Ways Forward 3Using the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as frameworkfor indigenous peoples’ engagement in the climate change processes,indigenous peoples have therefore identified the following as ways forward: For indigenous peoples and communities:1. Preserve our rights to maintain our traditional use of plants andanimals for hunting and gathering. We as indigenous peopleshave preserved the biodiversity of our lands for hundreds of yearsby caring for nature and using it only in sustainable ways.2. Nurture and develop our traditional knowledge, environmentfriendlytechnologies, cultural diversity and the biodiversity in ourterritories.3. Strengthen our traditional forest management and conservationpractices, sustainable traditional agricultural practices, traditionallivelihoods, etc.PART IX: Ways Forward: The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples... 145