Geneva, Switzerland – A number of factors contribute to the severity of the effects of climate change on some segments of society, including geographic location, degree of association with climate-sensitive environments, and unique cultural, economic, or political characteristics. In the context of climate change, social vulnerability and equity are important because some populations may be less able to prepare for and respond to climate-related hazards and effects. Climate change may disproportionately affect such populations. Despite evidence of their resilience, indigenous peoples worldwide are highly exposed to environmental change.
Climate change is one of the greatest social and economic challenges today. Adverse weather conditions impact society on all fronts: food, habitat, livelihood, and income. There is an urgent need to consider input from all segments of society. Presenting a holistic approach of the Indigenous communities in coping with climate change, the paper provides inputs to underline the importance of including Indigenous People in the decision-making process of environmental justice, in view also of the Geneva Centre’s conference in October 2024 on Empowering Youth, Indigenous Peoples, and Small Island States in Promoting Environmental Rights and Climate Justice.
The new paper explores how the right to environment for indigenous peoples would allow them to maintain their unique cultural and political status as the peoples of traditional lands, since before the establishment of current national boundaries. In the context of climate change policy, recognition of a right to self-determination would impose affirmative obligations on states to engage in a mitigation strategy in order to avoid catastrophic harm to indigenous peoples. Justice must play a central role in addressing climate change impacts.
As literature affirms, indigenous peoples, affected by climate change, contribute to policies, plans, and programs being developed for adapting to and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The paper describes the key frameworks for indigenous understandings of climate change impacts and pathways for adaptation and mitigation.
It provides descriptions of the distinction between climate change, environmental destruction, and climate justice terminologies. The subsequent chapters analyze the impact of climate change and environmental crises on Indigenous Peoples, their adaptation, and the importance of their inclusion in decision-making.
Download the full research paper here.
Year of publication: 2024.