Guide on Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples

10On the other hand, what are theopportunities of REDD/REDD+ forIndigenous Peoples?If REDD is designed and implemented with indigenous peoples and theirrights are recognized and respected in REDD policies and programmes,this can result in even greater contributions of indigenous peoples toemissions reduction and carbon sequestration. If REDD+ can, indeed,stop deforestation, this is already a big step in saving indigenous peoples'territories and diverse forest cultures. However, this is easier said than done.Deforestation may be stopped but indigenous peoples may be kept awayfrom these. The fight for indigenous peoples' rights is always an uphill battlebecause one of the basic rights is the collective right to lands, territoriesand resources. Due to the difficult nature of this struggle, it is important touse every opportunity available to pursue this fight. And the emergence ofREDD+ is one of these.• Increased visibility of indigenous peoples' rights and concerns andinclusion of these in the negotiating text. Among the sections of thenegotiating documents, it is the REDD+ text which contains the biggestnumber of references to indigenous peoples and local communities;indigenous peoples' rights; the UNDRIP; FPIC; and traditional knowledgeand traditional livelihoods. In the past, except for some of the IPCCReports, the phrase “indigenous peoples and local communities” cannotbe found in any final documents of the UNFCCC.• Greater challenge for unitybuildingand more effectivelobbying and advocacy work.Indigenous peoples should,therefore, strengthen unityand sharpen their advocacyand lobbying skills to ensurethat in Copenhagen, some - ifnot all - of these referencesare maintained. This will beREDD+ text in the negotiatingdocuments contains the biggestnumber of references to indigenouspeoples and local communities;indigenous peoples' rights; theUNDRIP; FPIC; and traditionalknowledge and traditional livelihoods.a big gain for indigenous peoples who have been trying their bestto get something into the UNFCCC COP decisions for years but neversucceeded.• Chance to pursue rights claims to forests and forest resources,including carbon, and needed policy and legal reforms. Use renewedfocus on forests to push for legal reforms of forest laws and otherlaws dealing with the ownership, access and control of forests at thenational and local level. This is a key step in achieving REDD+. The goal78 <strong>Guide</strong> on Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples