Guide on Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples

Key document underpinningUN-REDD Programme’s work• UN Common Understanding on theHuman Rights Based Approach• UN General Assembly’sProgramme of Action for theSecond International Decade ofthe World’s Indigenous People(Resolution 60/142)• CERD General RecommendationXX111 on the Rights of IndigenousPeoples• UNDRIPFebruary 2008, was also cited asa key guidance document: This aims to assist the UNsystem in mainstreamingand integrating indigenouspeoples' issues in processesfor operational activities andprogrammes at the country level. It sets out the broadnormative policy and operationalframework for implementing ahuman-rights based approachand culturally sensitive approachto development with and forindigenous peoples.• UNDP has also its own “Policyof Engagement with Indigenous Peoples,” adopted in 2001. This aims to: foster indigenous peoples' participation in alldecision-making levels develop capacities of governments to buildmore inclusive policies and programmes. integrate indigenous peoples' perspectives ondevelopment into the UNDP work.• In the 2nd Policy Board Meeting, the approval ofMRV - Monitoring,Reporting andVerificationPanama's proposal was held in abeyance because it did not undertakea validation process with stakeholders, particularly indigenous peoples.It has to go through this process before its proposal will be approved forimplementation.What are the Risks of REDD/REDD+9for Indigenous Peoples?On Governance:• Exclusion of indigenous peoples from decision-making due to highlycentralized, top-down management of forests.• Renewed and even increased state and “expert” control over forests. 22• Overzealous government support for anti-people and exclusionarymodels of forest conservation (evictions, expropriation) to protectlucrative forest carbon “reservoirs.”• Violations of land and resource rights, particularly forests rights.74 <strong>Guide</strong> on Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples