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FPIC for Climate Action: Acknowledging Indigenous Peoples as guardians for biodiversity


26/04/2022 - 

 New York / Online – A side event to the Twenty-First Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) identified the current challenges and good practices in the implementation of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes in climate action projects.

The recognition of Indigenous Peoples as key actors in climate action is increasing. As the guardians of 80 percent of the world’s remaining biodiversity, Indigenous Peoples are at the forefront of efforts to conserve ecosystems, mitigate and adapt to climate change.

 

 

 

Implementing UNDRIP in Canada

“FPIC is a manifestation of the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples. Canada has had significant experience with consultation processes. Domestic law has recognized the duty to consult since 2004. Canada has implemented UNDRIP into domestic law through an act which came into force in June 2021. This Act provides a roadmap for the Government of Canada and Indigenous Peoples to work together to implement the Declaration based on lasting reconciliation, healing, and cooperative relations,” said Maarten De Groot, Deputy Permanent Representative of Canada to Rome-based Agencies.

 FAO and FPIC

FPIC is fundamental for Indigenous People, Members and the UN as enshrined in the UNDRIP. Since 2015, FAO has operationalized FPIC within its project cycle and has mainstreamed it into its Environmental and Social Management Guidelines. The Environmental Social Safeguard number 9 is focused on Indigenous Peoples and FPIC. This moves beyond risk analysis of projects and enters the realm of effectively implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples globally. In 2016, FAO released the FPIC manual for project implementers.

The FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit in collaboration with the European Commission promote the establishment of an FPIC donor task force with the participation of different resource partners such as GCF, GEF, EU, GIZ, AECID and Action Aid to discuss and identify more coherent ways to implement FPIC.

“FPIC is so important that in the case of FAO it is not possible to implement the FAO Policy on Indigenous Peoples unless FPIC is adequately implemented,” Jocelyn Brown Hall, Director of FAO North America noted. “We will not put an end to the violence against Indigenous Peoples unless we all enhanced the implementation of FPIC across our respective institutions and organization,” she concluded.

 EU and FPIC

“FPIC should be discussed against the backdrop of climate change, rising inequalities, and shrinking civic and political space worldwide, “ emphasized Sebastien Porter, Programme Manager, Gender Equality, Human Rights and Democratic Governance, European Commission. “The EU is a longstanding advocate for Indigenous Peoples rights globally, and a human rights-based approach is compulsory in project formulation and implementation. We welcome the collaboration between FAO and the EU to set up a task force to improve coherence and coordination in the implementation of FPIC among donors, as well as the recent joint pilot training held in Bolivia,“ he added. 

Challenges and opportunities for the implementation of the FPIC with Indigenous Peoples communities in the context of the climate action post-COP26

“Indigenous Peoples have the right that FPIC is recognized, meaning that any legislative, administrative, or political measure should respect Indigenous Peoples' collective rights, governance mechanisms and institutions,” explained Hortencia Hidalgo (Pueblo Aymara), Coordinadora de Programa Mujer Indígena de FILAC. “COVID19 has increased the problem of not respecting FPIC, as online consultations are insufficient, and some consultations have been suspended or reduced. Indigenous women are knowledge holders for climate action and should have a meaningful decision role in climate action projects,” she added.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) started an inclusive conservation initiative of US$ 25 million, which supports Indigenous Peoples and local communities in their continuing efforts to safeguard Earth’s natural ecosystems, recognizing the historical roles they have played in nature conservation. “FPIC should not be about checking a box at the beginning of a project, but needs to be a meaningful process throughout a project,” Sarah A Wyatt, Biodiversity Specialist, GEF added.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has an Indigenous Peoples advisory group with Indigenous Peoples from all regions where GCF finances projects. “Having a dedicated Indigenous Peoples policy provides a framework that is much more than just safeguards, but an opportunity to enhance the meaningful participation,” emphasized  Jennifer Rubis, (Dayak Bidayuh People), Indigenous Peoples Specialist GCF.

 The way forward

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim (Mbororo People), Coordinator of the Association of Peul Women and Autochthonous Peoples of Chad (AFPAT) presented her vision to advance FPIC implementation for climate action: “Consultation is a process, not just sharing information. FPIC is a right and a process, which needs to be adjusted to different community protocols”, she said, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Having Indigenous Peoples conduct a study on the seven socio-cultural regions on how FPIC rules and protocols are implemented would be helpful, she suggested.  “How can we bring FPIC into the Biodiversity, Climate Change and Desertification conventions? Everything is interlinked in our land,” Hindou underlined. She also underscored that most conflicts over resources are the result of a lack of FPIC.

“Undertaking projects and interventions in the 21st century without asking the people that live in those lands and territories – Indigenous or non-Indigenous  -  is unacceptable,“  urged Yon Fernández de Larrinoa, Head of the FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit.

“We created the FPIC Donor Task Force because we realized that there is a collective challenge for organizations in ensuring an appropriate FPIC implementation” he added. Meaningful participation in the planning, implementation and monitoring is key to ensuring the sustainability and accountability of interventions, he added. “The FPIC Donor Task Force will meet this year again, and we invite interested donors to join us”, the head of the FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit concluded.

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