Guardians of the Climate: Indigenous Peoples’ Leadership in Climate Action

A new global report, Guardians of the Climate: Indigenous Peoples’ Leadership in Climate Action, highlights a critical and often under-recognized reality: Indigenous Peoples are among the most effective leaders in addressing climate change and reversing the loss of biodiversity.

The study brings together more than 700 case studies from across all regions of the world, demonstrating how Indigenous knowledge, stewardship, and governance systems contribute directly to protecting biodiversity, sustaining ecosystems, and strengthening resilience to climate impacts. These are not theoretical approaches — they are practical, tested solutions grounded in long-standing relationships with land, water, and community.

At the same time, the report points to a persistent imbalance. While Indigenous Peoples deliver measurable outcomes for nature and climate, they continue to receive only a small share of global climate finance directly. This disconnection between impact and access to funding remains one of the central challenges in scaling effective climate action.

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund is pleased to have supported this work. The Fund’s model has consistently focused on providing direct, small grants to conservationists and local leaders around the world. This experience has shown that when resources reach the right people — those working closest to the ecosystems in question — the results are often immediate, practical, and durable.

In this context, the findings of Guardians of the Climate reinforce a clear direction: strengthening support for Indigenous- and locally led initiatives is not only equitable, but also essential to achieving meaningful outcomes for both biodiversity and climate.

As the global community continues to advance climate and biodiversity agendas, including through upcoming international processes, this report provides a timely and evidence-based reminder that effective solutions already exist. The priority now is to ensure they are properly supported and scaled.

The report is available in ENGLISH, FRENCH, PORTUGESE, and SPANISH.