International Commitment to Indigenous Peoples at UN’s Climate Summit in Brazil

Norway and several other countries pledge funding and political support to give Indigenous Peoples rights and resources to protect the rainforest.

‘Strengthening Indigenous rights is one of the most effective measures to reduce deforestation. This is both about social justice and about protecting forests that absorb and store carbon’, said Minister of Climate and Environment Andreas Bjelland Eriksen.

At the climate summit in Brazil, Norway and several other countries pledged increased efforts to provide Indigenous Peoples, and local communities with better tenure rights and more funding. Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, and 35 philanthropic foundations are jointly committing 1.8 billion dollars to be disbursed by the end of 2030. Norway will contribute 2.2 billion Norwegian kroner, approximately 220 million dollars at today’s exchange rate, to the pledge.

Protecting the Rainforest
Norway has also, in close cooperation with Brazil and Peru, helped ensure that tropical forest countries support a pledge to recognize and secure the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and local communities to large, contiguous rainforest areas. This is the first time such a pledge has been announced at a climate summit.

Tropical rainforests are central in the fight against climate change. If the forests reach critical tipping points and dry out or burn, they can no longer store carbon. A united effort from Indigenous peoples, local communities, governments, and donors increases the chances of protecting these areas.

The combination of funding and tenure rights enables Indigenous Peoples to protect the rainforest on their own terms.

Long-Term Norwegian Commitment
Norway also participated in an international pledge for Indigenous Peoples in rainforests in 2021. At that time, countries and foundations pledged 1.7 billion to Indigenous Peoples and local communities in tropical forests. The goal was met a full year ahead of schedule.

Since 2008, Norway has supported Indigenous rights and rainforest management through the Norwegian International Climate and Forest Initiative.