Community rights in climate transition strategies

“Fairly and equitably sharing the benefits of a just energy transition, as a requirement of the human right to science, Indigenous Peoples’ human rights and peasants’ human rights, entails moving away from a mere logic of exchange and “damage control”. Instead, it requires collaboratively identifying and understanding opportunities for positive impacts, both locally and globally, according to Indigenous peoples’, communities’ and women’s world views. … Thus, States should put in place norms and practices to ensure that fair and equitable benefit-sharing supports community agency in the context of an iterative dialogue aimed at understanding different world views and realizing communities’ choice and capabilities.” Timely and important report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change - A human rights-based approach to the energy transition. The report contains a synthesis of evidence of the positive and negative human rights impacts of renewable energy development and its reliance on minerals. It clarifies States’ obligations and the responsibilities of other actors to support a human rights-based approach to the energy transition. Elisa Morgera https://lnkd.in/eVjsbnau

With Climate Week underway, where are the resources for the preservation of Indigenous lands? This question was posed by Dinamam Afer Jurum Tuxá, a Ph.D. candidate in law at the University of Brasilia and executive secretary of the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), and Leila Saraiva, a Ph.D. candidate in anthropology and political advisor at the Institute of Socioeconomic Studies (INESC), in an oped published last week on Mongabay. "The importance of Indigenous lands and that of other local communities as carbon sinks has become commonplace in climate negotiations," Tuxá and Saraiva write. "This repeated statement, however, does not mean guaranteeing the territorial rights of these communities or the effective investment of climate finance in initiatives that secure stewardship of their territories." Tuxá and Saraiva note: 🌳 While a group of donors at the COP-26 in Glasgow pledged $1.7 billion in advancing the protection of territorial rights of Indigenous peoples in tropical and subtropical forests between 2021 and 2025, only 7% were allocated to Indigenous organizations in the first year. 🌳 "Between 2011 and 2020, only the equivalent of 1% of Official Development Assistance for mitigation and adaptation to changes was spent on guaranteeing rights and territorial and environmental stewardship of Indigenous peoples. Furthermore, only 17% of these resources reached Indigenous-led organizations or projects that directly mention such organizations," they write. 🌳 Indigenous peoples are building their own tools to secure and manage funds, like a platform created by the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC) "The problem, as usual, is not technical, but political. The same development model that has driven us toward the climate catastrophe we are currently facing, and that for centuries has been violating the territorial rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities, now requires these communities to compensate for those harmful effects, without providing resources for that, however," they write. "The old colonialism is now also climate colonialism." "Discourses about facing the climate crisis are worth next to nothing if they are not accompanied by territorial guarantees and resources for those who keep the biomes standing." Their commentary: https://lnkd.in/eb5WYQMq

🌱 Funders announced that they have surpassed their $1.7 billion pledge to support the land tenure rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. However, direct funding to those communities remains extremely low. In this new article for Mongabay News, staff writer Aimee Gabay finds out what was learned from the past 4 years of efforts to realise this pledge. To do so, she speaks with several people, including Levi Sucre Romero (Bribri, Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests and Global Alliance of Territorial Communities), Bryson Ogden (Rights and Resources Initiative), Rebeca Sandoval (Ford Foundation), Trisha Mani (University of Cambridge CISL), and Jessica Webb (World Resources Institute). The basics: The Forest Tenure Pledge was launched in 2021 at COP26 to help strengthen Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' land tenure rights and conservation efforts in tropical forest countries. This followed many years of advocacy by Indigenous, local community and Afro-descendent leaders, as well as data-driven reports by Rainforest Foundation Norway (RFN), Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) and others about the pitifully low (my words) percentage of climate finance going directly to communities, despite their outsized role in sustaining and defending forests, often against all odds. Since 2021, the Forest Tenure Funders Group - the 25 government and philanthropic donors who endorsed the COP26 Pledge - have published annual reports of their progress and challenges. According to a 2025 report by RFN and RRI, since the COP26 Pledge, annual funding for Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendant peoples has increased significantly (46 percent compared to the previous four-year period), and more than half of this global increase is attributable to the Pledge signatories. However, as Romero says in the article, the percentage of Pledge funding going directly to Indigenous Peoples' and community organisations is "still very low" - just 7.6% in 2024, according to the Funders Group. A significant reason why is the mechanisms of the funding itself, which often comes with an unreasonably heavy administrative burden and externally imposed metrics for 'success'. In the run-up to COP30 in Brazil, an exciting process is brewing. One of the challenges with the COP26 Pledge is that it was created by funders and often behind closed doors. Instead, "Our Pledge" is co-created by Indigenous Peoples, local communities and Afro-descendent peoples. It calls for direct funding, recognition of territorial rights, support for community-led conservation initiatives, and transparent and accountable governance mechanisms. The leadership and collective organising within and between communities and movements, Indigenous-led funds, (some) foundations and bilateral agencies, and progressive civil society organisations is palpable - and it is changing systems for the better. #funding #indigenouspeoples #conservation #climate

Lessons from Hawai‘i: Climate Adaptation in Action At a time when federal funding for climate programs is being cut, the work of climate adaptation has never been more urgent—or more challenging. Yet, across Hawai‘i, researchers and community leaders continue to drive forward solutions that are place-based, equity-centered, and grounded in both science and Indigenous knowledge. My recent visit, along with Lauren Bataska, reinforced a critical truth: climate adaptation is not a distant challenge—it is happening now, in real time, in communities on the front lines of environmental change. At Pacific RISA, we worked with Laura Brewington, Victoria Keener and their amazing team, who are advancing climate resilience across Pacific Islands. Their work bridges science, policy, and community-driven solutions to address rising sea levels, shifting freshwater availability, and other climate-related challenges. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and deep engagement with local stakeholders, Pacific RISA is demonstrating what effective adaptation looks like in practice. Our visit to ʻIole with Todd Apo further emphasized the importance of place-based solutions. ʻIole is pioneering efforts to integrate Indigenous knowledge, ecological restoration, and sustainable land management, offering a model for how cultural and environmental stewardship can inform climate adaptation. Their work serves as a powerful reminder that resilience isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about revitalizing relationships between people and place. Perhaps most impactful was the opportunity to meet with Naka Nathaniel and local community leaders working to address water challenges on Native Hawaiian homelands. Water security is a deeply complex issue, tied not just to climate change but also to historical land and water rights. These discussions highlighted the critical need for equitable water governance that prioritizes community-driven solutions, Indigenous leadership, and long-term resilience planning. Thanks to Amanda Ellis and Jody Kaulukukui for their hospitality and guidance on how ASU Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory can meaningfully collaborate with and support our partners in Hawai‘i. These experiences underscored a pressing question: How do we scale these solutions while ensuring that communities remain at the center of decision-making, even as critical funding sources disappear? As professionals committed to sustainability, we must push for stronger collaborations between academia, policymakers, and industry. We need to accelerate knowledge-sharing and investment in adaptation strategies that are both effective and equitable. If you're working in climate adaptation, what strategies have you found most effective? How can we build stronger bridges between research and action in the absence of federal leadership? Let’s keep this conversation going. #ClimateAdaptation #WaterResilience #Sustainability #IndigenousKnowledge #Collaboration #Hawai‘i

💡 What if the clean energy powering your community was owned by the community — and reinvested locally? That’s the bold, people-powered vision set out in a new report from the Co-operative Party and the Labour Climate and Environment Forum: Community Britain – Power in our Communities. It’s already happening — and it’s transforming lives. Community energy projects across the UK are generating clean power and local pride. From rooftop solar on schools to wind turbines owned by residents, they’re cutting bills, creating good green jobs, and giving people a real stake in the transition to Net Zero. This isn’t just about climate policy. It’s about ownership, fairness, and trust. That’s why the Local Power Plan commits to: 🌱 A million new community energy owners ⚡ 8GW of locally owned clean power by 2030 💼 Thousands of skilled green jobs where they’re needed most Because when communities lead the clean energy transition, they back it — and everyone shares in the benefits. This is what a fairer, greener future looks like. 📘 Read the full report: 👉 https://lnkd.in/eG9RcbEn #CommunityPower #CleanEnergy #NetZero #CooperativeLeadership #GreenJobs #JustTransition #PublicOwnership #ClimateAction #EnergyDemocracy #LocalPower #CommunityWealthBuilding

It’s always interesting to see how people who claim to be “about community” actually embrace community. Do they let the community lead, or do they tell the community what they need? I’ve often thought about this in the context of environmental and climate justice work. We hear a lot of slogans about community-led solutions, but what does that really mean in practice? Are we truly listening to the people who are directly impacted, or are we just checking boxes and moving forward with our own agendas? Those who are closest to the problem are closest to the solutions—but we have to be intentional about what that means. Are we creating spaces where community voices can truly shape outcomes, or are we dictating the terms from the top down? From a climate investments perspective, this requires centering the lived experiences of those who face the brunt of climate change—frontline communities, communities of color, and low-income communities. They must be at the forefront of the decision-making process, guiding the solutions that will impact their lives. True community engagement is more than lip service. It’s about relinquishing power, trusting the expertise of those most affected, and ensuring their ideas are prioritized and resourced. We need to constantly ask ourselves: Are we willing to let the community lead? When we commit to this approach, we don’t just talk about equity—we practice it. #CommunityLedSolutions #ClimateInvestments #EquityInAction #BelovedCommunity #EnvironmentalJustice

Ensuring a Just Transition: Supporting Communities in the Energy Transition. Lessons from Across America 🌍📊 As we accelerate the shift to clean energy, the concept of a just transition is vital. This means supporting the workers and communities most affected by the move away from fossil fuels. But are we doing enough? A groundbreaking study reveals gaps in identifying the most vulnerable regions. 🗺️ A Carbon Map: The image below shows the employment carbon footprints (ECF) across U.S. counties. Darker areas indicate regions with the highest vulnerability to the energy transition, spanning traditional fossil fuel hubs and unexpected regions like Nevada and the Great Plains. 📝 Key Insights: 1️⃣ The Employment Carbon Footprint (ECF) provides a comprehensive metric for understanding which U.S. jobs are most at risk in the energy transition—not just in extraction but in carbon-intensive industries like manufacturing. 2️⃣ Vulnerability is widespread: While regions like Appalachia face well-known risks, overlooked counties in Nevada and the Great Plains also face significant exposure. 3️⃣ Current policies like the IRA's "energy community" definitions miss many at-risk areas, such as those reliant on power generation or energy-intensive industries. 🚨 The Challenge: Without updated policies informed by metrics like the ECF, we risk leaving entire communities unsupported, deepening economic and social disparities. 🔑 Action Steps for Policymakers and Businesses: ✅ Proactive Support: Identify at-risk communities early and plan support before closures or disruptions. ✅ Broaden Definitions: Expand the focus from fossil fuel extraction to include industries tied to fossil fuel consumption, like heavy manufacturing. ✅ Data-Driven Strategies: Use ECF and other metrics to ensure support matches community vulnerability. ✅ Equitable Funding: Scale investments based on the level of risk to build resilience and prevent economic shocks. 💡 The Business Case: Companies have an opportunity to lead the way by advocating for fair policies, investing in green jobs, and building stronger supply chains. By aligning sustainability with equity, we can ensure no one is left behind. 🔗 Read the Full Study Here: https://lnkd.in/eT3YfzrY How do you think that businesses and policymakers should work together to ensure a just transition? #JustTransition #EnergyTransition #Sustainability #FutureOfWork #ClimatePolicy

Last week, I spent #EarthDay offline and enjoying the spring weather with my family. Now I’m back in office and reflecting on how research can shape more equitable and effective climate policies.   The Greenlining Institute and the USC Equity Research Institute analyzed the impact of California Climate Investments (CCI)—California’s equity-centered climate funding initiative—over the past decade.    Some key takeaways for future climate investments include: - Community and environmental justice groups must have influence over what types of programs are funded - Investments must include Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities, whose cultures and histories are deeply tied to their environments - Comprehensive data that combines community knowledge with quantitative statistics is essential   As state and federal policymakers work to address climate change, this research shows that the most effective climate solutions are community-driven and have significant local buy-in and involvement. https://lnkd.in/ekhX2sP7

🌍 This new report underscores a crucial aspect of climate action and forest protection: the implementation of benefit-sharing plans for jurisdictional REDD+ (JREDD) program. These plans are essential for ensuring that the value generated from forest conservation is equitably shared, especially with the Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) who are the frontline guardians of the world's forests. At Emergent and the LEAF Coalition, we recognize that supporting IPLC groups is not just a moral imperative—it’s vital for the success of our mission. These communities possess invaluable knowledge and stewardship practices that can significantly enhance our efforts in forest preservation and sustainable land management. By prioritizing benefit-sharing mechanisms, we can empower IPLCs, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their critical role in safeguarding biodiversity and mitigating climate change. This collaborative approach is key to creating lasting impact and fostering resilience in the face of environmental challenges. Let’s continue to advocate for inclusive strategies that honor and support the rights of IPLCs as we work towards a sustainable future. Together, we can drive meaningful change! Thanks to our friends at The Nature Conservancy Nature4Climate LINK here: https://lnkd.in/eeV3-mdF #ClimateAction #REDD+ #Sustainability #Emergent #LEAFCoalition #IPLCs #BenefitSharing