COP15: Nature’s stewards, still in the shadows

Canada is trying to make the COP15 biodiversity conference as Indigenous as possible. It hasn’t been easy—and that says something about the state of nature conservation.

Many of the signals are pointed in the right direction. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau kicked off the Montreal conference with an $800 million commitment—spread over 7 years—to Indigenous-led conservation projects that aim to cover a million square kilometres.

Indigenous voices have been heard in many of the most important discussions. And as host, Canada has put Indigenous music, images and stories on proud display.

But for all the talk about Indigenous approaches to conservation, it’s been largely that: talk.

The 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity recognizes Indigenous Peoples as essential to reaching the convention’s objectives. Yet 30 years later, Indigenous Peoples remain largely observers to the main decision-making table.

“It’s as if we’re children,” laments Jennifer Corpuz, from the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity.

Of the nearly 16,000 people registered for COP15, only 500—3 per cent—are representatives of Indigenous nations or organizations.

That’s unfortunately low.

Territories owned or used by Indigenous peoples hold 80% of the world’s biodiversity despite representing only 20-25% of the world’s land. According to a study analyzing more than 15,000 areas in Canada, Brazil, and Australia, the variety of wildlife tends to be greatest on lands managed or co-managed by Indigenous communities (even higher than protected areas like parks and wildlife reserves). And a UN-backed report found extinction rates to be slower on Indigenous People’s lands than elsewhere.

Brazil is a good case study: Of the 69 million hectares of native vegetation that was lost over the past 30 years, only 1.6% were on Indigenous lands.

More funding for Indigenous-led conservation efforts might be a good step forward. New Zealand has a dedicated fund to assist and support the Maori with the conservation and management of biodiversity. Legislation also provides for Maori involvement in regulatory processes and protected area management.

More than money, a greater say by local Indigenous communities can show the world just how enduring an asset biodiversity can be.