Guide on Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples

Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples should be the overarchingframework upon which climate actions and policies as these relate to indigenouspeoples should be based.It is in this light that Tebtebba prepared this “<strong>Guide</strong> on Indigenous Peoples andClimate Change.” The aim of this publication is to enhance our knowledge onclimate change so that we will be better equipped to participate more effectivelyin shaping relevant policies and actions taken to address this issue. It also aimsto enlighten non-indigenous peoples on our own experiences and perspectives onclimate change.We are aware of the existence of recently-written materials on indigenous peoplesand climate change, but most of these are not written by us and, therefore, do notnecessarily reflect the perspectives we have to offer. This publication is aimedto fill the dearth of such materials. It is designed as a guide that will provide thebasic information which we deem indigenous peoples should have on their hands.Hopefully, it will allow all of us to appreciate more fully how climate change issuesare related to our basic struggles for rights to lands, territories and resources, rightto culture and to self-determination, including our right to development.The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) announced that thespecial theme for its 7th Session (April 21-May 2, 2008) is on “Climate change,bio-cultural diversity and livelihoods: the stewardship role of indigenous peoplesand new challenges.” There have been some climate change workshop-seminarsand consultations organized by indigenous peoples and some support groupsand UN bodies which have already taken place. So this publication draws onsome recommendations which emerged from these processes. 1 It will also useinformation from the documents prepared for the UNPFII sessions, such as theoverview paper made by the UNPFII Secretariat and the Report on the Impact ofClimate Change Mitigation Measures on Indigenous Peoples and their Territoriesand Lands” [E/C.19/2008/10], as well as the Report of its 7th [E/C.19/2008/13].Why should we be concerned about climate change?We should be concerned about climate change because of the following:• Indigenous peoples, mainly, are peoples of the land. We live off the landand resources found in our lands and waters. We are the main stewards ofbiological and cultural diversity. Our rights, cultures, livelihoods, traditionalknowledge and identities are based on the profound and intricate relationshipswe forged with our lands, waters, and resources over thousands of years.Thus, when our lands and resources disappear or are altered due to climatechange, we suffer the worst impacts;vi