Indigenous communities are the stewards of biodiversity and cultural heritage. They possess invaluable knowledge and practices that contribute significantly to global sustainability. Yet, despite their vital role in maintaining 80% of the Earth’s remaining intact ecosystems, less than 1% of climate finance reaches Indigenous communities - a funding gap that threatens both environmental and social stability.
Why this matters
Direct funding to Indigenous communities enables them to pursue self-determined development and fosters economic stability, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship. However, structural barriers in the global climate finance system often prevent funding from reaching these communities directly.
During London Climate Week in June 2024, Acre’s Georgina Sell, Associate Director, hosted a workshop in collaboration with Rainforest Foundation UK, New Animal, and Nia Tero titled:
“Shaping the Future: The Power of Partnering with Indigenous Peoples in Climate Finance.”
The workshop brought together senior decision-makers and organisations to explore the intersection of:
- Nature-based Solutions
- Human Rights
- Climate Finance
This was a pivotal opportunity for Indigenous representatives and corporate leaders to engage in a robust dialogue about what effective climate action looks like — and to identify actionable solutions for increasing direct funding to Indigenous communities.
Key insights from the workshop
- Indigenous peoples sustain at least 80% of Earth’s remaining intact ecosystems — yet less than 1% of climate finance reaches these communities.
- Direct funding is essential for fostering economic resilience and environmental stewardship in Indigenous communities.
- Collaborative models between Indigenous communities and corporations present a unique opportunity to accelerate progress in the fight against climate change.
- Alternative funding mechanisms — such as blended finance and community-based funding — are emerging as promising solutions to close the funding gap.
“We wanted this workshop to be as dynamic and impactful as possible, and for our Indigenous representatives to be actively involved in curating the event. This was a vital moment for knowledge sharing between corporates and Indigenous representatives — a powerful event where we explored alternative funding mechanisms and nature-based solutions to see if we could expedite funding to the front lines quicker and, in doing so, accelerate progress in the fight against climate change.”
Georgina Sell
Associate Director
Acre
Why you should download the write-up
Following the workshop, we compiled a detailed write-up — “Mobilising Direct Funding to Indigenous Peoples: Strategies for Global Sustainable Development” — to capture the essence of the discussions and provide a resource for continuing these important conversations.
- Understand why direct funding is critical for Indigenous-led climate action.
- Discover practical opportunities to strengthen partnerships with Indigenous communities.
- Explore innovative funding models to increase the flow of capital to Indigenous communities.
- Gain insights into best practices for building more equitable and effective climate finance systems.
