By Abdullahi Lukman
Indigenous Peoples around the world are emerging as critical leaders in the fight against climate change, using generations of knowledge and lived experience to develop effective adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Rooted in stewardship, interdependence, and care for the environment, Indigenous knowledge systems are helping communities navigate environmental change in ways that are both innovative and deeply ecological.
As global efforts to meet the Paris Agreement targets accelerate—particularly under the Global Goal on Adaptation—Indigenous leadership is increasingly recognized not just as valuable, but essential.
“In advancing climate resilience, Indigenous Peoples must be at the centre—not only as stakeholders, but as partners and knowledge holders,” said Youssef Nassef, Director of Adaptation at UN Climate Change.
“The Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP) continues to ensure their voices shape global climate policy.”
Examples of Indigenous climate action are already visible across continents:
* On *Vancouver Island, Canada*, the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation declared all of their territory under ecosystem-based forest management, combining traditional laws with conservation to protect forests, salmon streams, and watersheds.
* In *Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin*, Indigenous nations are restoring governance over river systems, negotiating water allocations, and revitalizing wetlands through inter-tribal cooperation.
* In the *Highlands of Mongolia*, Indigenous herders work with meteorological services to merge traditional forecasts with satellite data, reducing livestock losses due to extreme weather.
* In *Mindanao, Philippines*, Indigenous youth are reviving ancestral forestry methods such as contour planting and sacred grove protection to restore upland watersheds and sustain downstream agriculture.
These are not isolated efforts. Rather, they reflect a growing movement in which Indigenous knowledge is actively informing climate strategies.
Studies have shown that Indigenous-managed lands tend to have lower deforestation rates and stronger biodiversity protection than surrounding areas, making them vital for maintaining carbon sinks and ecological health.
Despite these contributions, Indigenous-led climate efforts often remain underfunded and under-supported. UN Climate Change is urging countries, institutions, and climate stakeholders to:
* Form genuine partnerships with Indigenous communities.
* Integrate Indigenous perspectives into national climate strategies.
* Provide long-term, accessible funding for Indigenous-led solutions.
As climate risks grow, Indigenous leadership offers not only practical solutions but a model for living in balance with the planet—making their involvement critical to achieving a sustainable and resilient future.
