Indigenous Rights & False Solutions at COP26
Register for our webinar on a larger discussion around false solutions here.
We need to question the intent of Nature-based solutions
As we approach the United Nations Conference of Parties, also known as COP26, there is a sense of urgency in the air that misleads you to believe we have governments actively trying to find fair and just solutions to the climate issues.
“It appears that NBS may be a new green-washed version of carbon offsets that allow big polluters off the hook.”
It reminds me of a bell ringing in the school yard and all the students ushering quickly to get to their classes on time. In an effort not to reduce the seriousness of the issues at play, I use this example to describe the apparent “urgency” around COP26, all touting our strategies on a global stage without the vital inclusion of Indigenous peoples. Instead, nature-based solutions (NbS) exclude and further remove Indigenous peoples from their lands and waters. Words like ‘emergency’ have been used to validate western science while disregarding Indigenous wisdom in the fight against climate change. When we know Indigenous peoples have proven time and time again that their leadership is not only healthier for the lands they're from, but also successfully protects 80% of the world's biodiversity. If Indigenous peoples are treated as decision-makers on climate policy then it is nothing more than a false solution. There’s just no time for false solutions.
For Indigenous folks, even in 2021, we are going to COP26 knowing full well that many of our relatives do not hold the privilege of attending this exclusive event, let alone to voice their concerns on more “false solutions” that will undoubtedly further exclude and marginalize.
Nature-based “solutions” are another tactic to absorb land control and continue the business as usual systems of pollution. Whether that be greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, or greenwashing antics, because pollution is not exclusive to gaseous emitters.
Governments would have us believe that nature-based solutions are a creative solution to reduce emissions, to achieve United Nations targets of 1.5˚C and other nationally determined contributions (NDC’s). They would have us believe that they intend to consult with us as “stakeholders,” instead of decision makers.They would also have us believe our environments will be “protected” with little-to-no evidence to support this. Fancy words aside, this is essentially land theft repackaged: where our voices, wisdom and leadership are largely excluded. In the world of climate urgency, we need to stop allowing big polluters to come up with strategies that just sound fancy.
“Given the overlap of Indigenous territories and carbon sinks in Canada, it is unlikely that NbS could be widely implemented without upholding Indigenous rights to lands and resources and respecting Indigenous governance and knowledge systems in climate change policy.”
Instead, we need to ask who the key beneficiaries to capitalistic driven nature based “solutions” are. Who is missing from this conversation? Who is defining “nature-based solutions?” Why are our relatives excluded from this conversation? What next? I counter the existing discourse with: there is no time to keep entertaining the discourse on production of oil and gas.
Indigenous-led solutions are rights based, they are formed in justice and they have measurable outcomes to a collective goal.
Register for our webinar on a larger discussion around false solutions here.
And read our Decolonizing Climate Policy Report From Phase One here.
Written by ICA’s Policy Analyst, Rebecca Sinclair.