Summary

Building on the current momentum to strengthen the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in ecosystem restoration, and on previous dialogues, standards, guidelines and publications, this side event will reflect on the role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in achieving Target 2 of the CBD. Linking directly to the COP17 Agenda Item 10 on the implementation of Article 8j and related provisions, this side-event will discuss existing and emerging guidance to support the implementation of Target 2, and advance discussions under Agenda Item 10 (b) (i).

The side-event will highlight issues and guidance grounded in real life examples and numerous consultations with Indigenous Peoples. The event will explore key issues that need to be addressed for a more inclusive, respectful and sustainable approach to ecosystem restoration that responds to the priorities and needs of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. All stages of an ecosystem restoration process will be considered. A distinction will be made between externally driven restoration interventions (initiated by the private sector or NGOs for example) and locally-driven restoration initiatives, initiated by Indigenous Peoples or local communities.

The session will be grounded in research and guidance carried out under the IUCN-WCPA Restoration Task Force in partnership with Synchronicity Earth, the University of East Anglia (UK), the University of Pernambuco (Brazil), the University of Lausanne (Switzerland),  Penn State University, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (Geography Department) (US) and Re: Wild. It will share concrete examples of locally-led restoration initiatives and discuss challenges going forward.

 

Introduction

Ecosystem restoration is gaining ground as an important strategy to address broader challenges facing our planet, including food security, climate change mitigation and adaptation, human wellbeing, water quality, amongst others. Ecosystem restoration is central to the CBD which adopted target 2 under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) to have “at least 30 per cent of areas of degraded terrestrial, inland water, and marine and coastal ecosystems are under effective restoration, in order to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, ecological integrity and connectivity.” The role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities is central for this target to be achieved in accordance with the GBF’s “Considerations for the implementation of the framework” and in particular, its intention to ensure and respect the rights, knowledge, innovations, worldviews, values and practices of indigenous Peoples and local communities through their full and effective participation in decision-making. The inclusion of the development of guidelines to support the protection and restoration practices led by indigenous peoples and local communities (Task 1.1 of the Working Group on Article 8j) only underscores this importance. While the crucial global process of developing overarching guidelines continues, this side-event addresses the immediate need for practical and grounded guidelines to support work already being undertaken.

To date, knowledge, capacity and guidance remain superficial when it comes to the centrality of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in ecosystem restoration. Practitioners are often either unaware or unable to fully consider, include and address the priorities, needs and preferences of Indigenous Peoples or local communities as they engage in ecosystem restoration.

A growing emphasis on restoration globally signifies an urgent need to improve the ways in which Indigenous Peoples and local communities, including women and youth amongst them are given the means and opportunity to truly engage in ecosystem restoration efforts that are led by external actors, and also how external actors can learn and benefit from the indigenous and local knowledge of those present in the territories prioritised for restoration.

 

Objectives:

-       Identify challenges in achieving a more inclusive and locally-grounded ecosystem restoration that is aligned with the priorities and needs of Indigenous Peoples and local communities;

-       Showcase examples/practices of ecosystem restoration led by Indigenous Peoples and/or local communities, including women and youth amongst them;;  

-       Outline some key guidance that should be considered by external actors seeking to engage in ecosystem restoration alongside Indigenous Peoples and local communities;

-       Improve understanding of participants on issues to address for a more just and equitable approach to achieving target 2 of the Kunming Montreal GBF.