Organizations from around the world working with Indigenous Peoples, local communities and Land and Environmental Defenders, including women and girls in all their diversity, have prepared a joint NGO briefing for the UNFCCC COP28 on Land and Environmental Defenders: Recommendations for Climate Justice
In light of the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Synthesis Report, which underscores the importance of equity, social justice, and inclusivity in climate action, this briefing addresses the urgent need for increased participation, recognition, and protection of Land and Environmental Defenders (LEDs).
This briefing note for UNFCCC COP28 outlines policy positions and recommendations to support the safeguarding and expansion of the rights of LEDs. These are organized across three key recommendations to advance a human rights-based approach to climate action and climate justice:
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Civic space and meaningful participation of LEDs in climate policy-making must be guaranteed, and their role and human rights in advancing climate action should be recognised and protected.
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Indigenous and local LEDs’ land rights and tenure security must be prioritised in national and international policies.
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The Global Stocktake (GST) outcome must be human rights-based and provide recognition and protection of LEDs, which effectively enhances the ambition of the Paris Agreement. The GST outcome must include specific guidance on how parties should increase their intention to fulfill human rights obligations, and how to develop the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by ensuring the promotion, protection, and respect of human rights.
As a group consisting of international NGOs working with Indigenous Peoples, local communities and LEDs, including women and girls in all their diversity, we demand the urgent need to recognise the role of LEDs in addressing climate change; protecting and expanding LEDs’ rights including freedom of association, assembly, expression, and privacy; and their meaningful participation at both local and multilateral levels to achieve climate justice. An enabling environment for civil society and LEDs is essential for addressing the climate crisis and ensuring a just transition.
Please endorse these recommendations for advancing climate justice through increased participation, recognition, and protection of Land and Environmental Defenders until 12 December 2023: LINK
Click here to join cambiaMO this Sunday at COP28 on this event, which intends to amplify the voices of defenders and address the need for UN Climate Change policy frameworks to support the safe and meaningful participation of defenders in decision-making.
This side event is a continuation of other events that happened in SB56, SB58, and ACE negotiations for the 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 (CLIMAS_EU project) dealing with the right to participation including in decision-making, right to access information, rights to deliberation, right to freedom of expression, association, and assembly, that is critical for both democracy and effective efforts to mitigate the climate crisis and advance
