Indigenous communities protect a disproportionate share of the world’s biodiversity yet receive only a small fraction of global climate funding, according to a new United Nations report that highlights deep inequities in environmental support.
The report finds that Indigenous Peoples manage or have tenure over lands that contain an estimated 80 percent of the planet’s remaining biodiversity. Their traditional knowledge, sustainable land-use practices, and stewardship have proven highly effective in conserving forests, wetlands, and wildlife. However, despite their critical role, Indigenous communities receive less than one percent of international climate finance.
UN officials warn that this funding gap undermines both climate and conservation goals. Many Indigenous communities face increasing threats from climate change, deforestation, mining, and land grabs, while lacking the resources needed to adapt or protect their territories. Limited access to finance also restricts their ability to strengthen local conservation initiatives or respond to climate-related disasters.
The report calls on governments, international donors, and development banks to redirect funding directly to Indigenous-led projects and recognize land rights as a core climate solution. It stresses that empowering Indigenous communities is not only a matter of justice, but also one of the most effective strategies for safeguarding biodiversity and addressing the global climate crisis.
