By: Javie Barcinal

Indigenous peoples make up approximately 6% of the global population, but approximately 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity is located within their lands. These communities are disproportionately affected by climate change, resource exploitation, discrimination, and violence facing threats to their lands, livelihoods, and cultural practices.

Asia is home to a vast and diverse array of Indigenous Peoples, constituting two-thirds of the global Indigenous population. From the Ainu in Japan to the Karen in Myanmar, and encompassing the diverse indigenous communities of South Asia, including the Santal people of Bangladesh, these peoples have thrived for millennia, developing intricate relationships with their environments and cultivating profound wisdom.

Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) offer invaluable guides for climate adaptation and mitigation. From traditional agroforestry to water management techniques, these time-tested approaches can be integrated into modern climate action plans. Success stories across Asia demonstrate the potential of IKSP-based climate solutions.

A just transition to clean energy offers a pathway to a more equitable future.

By harnessing the power of the sun, the wind, and the people, we can build resilient communities and protect our planet.

Indigenous peoples, with their deep connection to the land and their invaluable knowledge systems, are uniquely positioned to lead this transition.

A just transition to clean energy offers a pathway to a more equitable future. By harnessing the power of the sun, the wind, and the people, we can build resilient communities and protect our planet. Indigenous peoples, with their deep connection to the land and their invaluable knowledge systems, are uniquely positioned to lead this transition.

However, a “just” transition must prioritize the rights and well-being of Indigenous peoples. Extracting critical minerals for renewable energy technologies can infringe upon their land rights. Safeguards must be put in place to prevent history from repeating itself – the same mistakes made by the fossil fuel industry must not be replicated. Institutions like governments and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have a crucial role to play in this by shifting their focus from loans to grants, and by developing robust monitoring and policy frameworks for energy projects.

Addressing the challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples and harnessing their potential for a regenerative future means recognizing and upholding their rights, and implementing effective measures to protect their territories from encroachment. Partnerships and collaboration with them in designing and implementing development projects will ensure that their voices are heard, and promote benefit sharing that establishes fair and equitable mechanisms. Supporting Indigenous leadership and investing in capacity building will empower Indigenous communities to take ownership and agency.

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples presents an opportunity to reaffirm a commitment to a world where Indigenous voices are central, their rights upheld, and their leadership celebrated. By placing Indigenous Peoples at the heart of the global climate agenda, a just and equitable future for all becomes attainable.

Their knowledge and experiences must be prioritized at COP29 in Azerbaijan, COP30 in Brazil, and subsequent climate summits. Only then can these crucial gatherings truly represent the needs and aspirations of those most affected by climate change.