Fellow and Strategic Advisor, Nia Tero

"Our indigenous knowledge is very important on how to manage land and sea."

Jennifer Tauli Corpuz, Strategic Adviser at Nia Tero, underscores the vital role Indigenous Peoples play in climate solutions. She advocates for strengthening Indigenous rights within COP decisions, highlighting their invaluable traditional knowledge in managing ecosystems sustainably.  

Corpuz stresses that Indigenous communities should not merely be seen as vulnerable populations but as crucial agents of change. Despite progress, such as the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in the global stocktake text, challenges remain. Corpuz criticises the limited access Indigenous representatives have to negotiation rooms, highlighting ongoing systemic barriers. She calls for genuine collaboration across sectors, urging businesses to decarbonise without infringing on Indigenous rights and warning against so-called "false solutions" that fail to reduce emissions.  

Despite these hurdles, Corpuz remains hopeful, noting an increasing recognition of Indigenous contributions to climate solutions. Her message is clear: to achieve climate goals, policymakers must integrate Indigenous knowledge and work inclusively with these communities on the ground.