Indigenous Peoples combining ancestral knowledge with innovative forest monitoring towards fair and transparent climate finance

Representatives of Indigenous Peoples and community organizations from Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Guatemala, and Colombia, gathered in Lima for the Regional Exchange on Forest Monitoring for Climate Finance and Indigenous Governance. The event was organized by the Grupo Perú of Indigenous Peoples, composed of ANECAP, AIDESEP, and CONAP, with the support of the Ministry of the Environment, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through the AIM4Forests programme, and UN-REDD.

The workshop aimed to strengthen the technical and institutional capacities of Indigenous Peoples to actively engage in climate finance mechanisms, combining ancestral knowledge with technological innovation in forest monitoring.

“This space not only addresses the technical or technological aspects but allows us to reflect on the legacy of our ancestors: reading the signs of the forests and combining that wisdom with modern tools to protect our territories,” said Fermín Chimatani of ANECAP, Grupo Perú.

An Indigenous strategy to conserve and live from forests

Participants highlighted the collective development of the Indigenous Jurisdictional REDD+ programme, an initiative proposed by Grupo Perú that promotes shared and sustainable governance over more than 7 million hectares of Amazon forests.

The programme, recognized internationally, represents a pioneering model that could channel up to USD 100 million in international climate funds and generate sustainable income through climate finance.

“We are building our own strategy as Indigenous Peoples to conserve our territories and recognize the efforts of those who keep them intact. This process has been made possible thanks to the support of the Ministry of the Environment and partners such as FAO,” emphasized Chimatani.

The Peruvian Government’s commitment to fair climate action

Raquel Soto, Vice Minister for Strategic Development of Natural Resources at the Ministry of the Environment, reaffirmed the governments’ commitment to inclusive climate action and the strengthening of environmental justice. “Indigenous Peoples are not beneficiaries but strategic allies in the conservation of Amazon forests and the global fight against climate change,” underlined the Vice Minister.

Soto noted that Indigenous Peoples manage more than 50 percent of the country’s Amazon forests, and that their stewardship has prevented the emission of millions of tons of carbon. She added that despite this contribution, less than 1 percent of global climate finance reaches local communities directly. To address this, Peru is promoting new financial mechanisms to ensure a fair and direct distribution of benefits.

FAO’s role and international cooperation

On behalf of FAO Peru, Enrique Román, FAO Assistant Representative, highlighted the importance of strengthening local capacities and fostering regional technical collaboration. “Strengthening Indigenous forest monitoring is key to creating the enabling conditions for climate finance benefits to reach the territories and recognize the role of those who care for the forests every day,” said Román.

Through the AIM4Forests programme, with financial support from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, FAO supports this process by providing technical training opportunities and monitoring and measurement tools that integrate scientific data with traditional knowledge, in close collaboration with communities and governments.

A space for dialogue and shared vision

The workshop served as a space for dialogue, exchange, and co-creation of solutions among Indigenous Peoples, the government, and international cooperation partners. Through these partnerships, the initiative aims to strengthen forest monitoring systems, promote more transparent and equitable climate governance, and ensure that the communities protecting the forests are also those who benefit from their stewardship.

“The challenge of the climate crisis concerns us all. That is why this workshop is a space for co-creation among Indigenous Peoples, the State, and international cooperation,” concluded Grupo Perú.