On Indigenous Peoples Day, the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) celebrates the momentous decision on the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (the Platform) and calls on Parties to maintain this momentum and increase their climate ambition – an action that is essential to the upholding of their commitment to respecting, protecting, and advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Despite a successful decision on the Platform, members of the IIPFCC shared their frustration about the current state of climate ambition. We are outraged to “read the recent Emissions Gap Report from UNEP, which stated that greenhouse gas production actually increased last year, indicating that current State actions to reduce emissions are falling far short of what is required to meet the essential 1.5 degree goal of the Paris Agreement.” Further, the recent IPCC report predicts a temperature rise of 3 degrees or more at the current rate, which means two-to-three times higher in the Arctic. This will be devastating for Indigenous Peoples in the Arctic and around the world.
One participant, a 17-year old youth from Salt River First Nation in Northern Canada, shared his fear with the IIPFCC: “I fear for my future. I fear for my community”. He continued to discuss the “…diminishing traditional food and water sources and drastic weather changes already affecting his Peoples.” The IIFPCC calls upon the delegates to this COP to commit to a just transition to sustainable energy before it’s too late for Indigenous Peoples, and for yourselves. There remains much work to be complete the Paris Rulebook at this COP. Indigenous Peoples will now turn their attention to push Parties to uphold of their commitment to respecting, protecting, and advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples in all negotiations under the Paris Rulebook.
Indigenous Peoples, demonstrated through the numerous side-events today, are demonstrating our willingness to share innovative and time-tested solutions we can offer to the world community. We are committed to carry this through at COP 24 and beyond.
The International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) was established in 2008, as the caucus for indigenous peoples participating in the UNFCCC processes.
IIPFCCC INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
07/12/2018
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES CALL ON PARTIES TO ADVANCE URGENT ACTION FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE
On Indigenous Peoples Day, the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) calls on Parties at the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24), to increase their climate ambition – an action that is essential to the upholding of their commitment to respecting, protecting, and advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Over the past week, members of the IIPFCC from the seven global regions have shared their first-hand experiences of climate crisis at home, and their frustrations with a lack of ambition and commitment to keeping warming to below 1.5 degrees.
Citing the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report predicting current trajectories of 3 degree temperature rise, and a two to three-fold increase in the Arctic, Indigenous Peoples at the COP implore parties and civil society to take necessary action to ensure a climate safe future for all Indigenous Peoples and other most-affected groups.
, of the nation in the Arctic, notes that “Even 1.5 degrees globally is 3 degrees in the Arctic. For my people, this still means .”
“The recent UNEP Emissions Gap Report gives us concrete evidence for what we’ve known and seen with our own eyes at home – current state actions are not reducing greenhouse gas production, and are falling far short of the essential 1.5 degree goal of the Paris Agreement.”
One participant, a 17-year old youth from Salt River First Nation in Northern Canada, share his fear: “I fear for my future. I fear for my community”. He continued to discuss the “…diminishing traditional food and water sources and drastic weather changes already affecting his Peoples.” The IIFPCC calls upon the delegates to this COP to commit to a just transition to sustainable energy before it’s too late for Indigenous Peoples, and for yourselves.
Indigenous Peoples have agreed to work with you to develop a new Platform for the protection and exchange of Indigenous traditional knowledge, based on equal participation, respect for our rights and recognition of the innovative and time-tested solutions we can offer to the world community. We are committed to carry this through at COP 24.
The International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) was established in 2008, as the caucus for indigenous peoples participating in the UNFCCC processes.
Who: IIPFCCC and Indigenous Peoples around the World
What: IP Day at COP24
When: Today Friday 7th Dec
How:
Parties can support by increasing their ambition, and working towards a robust LCIPP
General public can support by amplifying indigenous voices and stories of climate change
Why: Increased ambition is climate justice