Indigenous peoples are among the first to face the direct consequences of climate change, due to their dependence upon, and close relationship, with the environment and its resources.
In August 2010 the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) released a statement on 6 August 2010 at UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany. Please click to access a copy of IIPFCC August 2010 statement-Bonn, Germany.
Timeline of Events (International)
June 2010
launch of Indigenous Peoples' Global Network on Climate Change and Sustainable Development (IPCCSD) during the Bonn Climate Talks.
Anchorage Declaration of the Indigenous Peoples' Global Summit on Climate Change which took place in Anchorage, Alaska
April 21 – May 3, 2008
7th Session of United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) dedicated to climate change.
December 6 - 17, 2004
Declaration of Indigenous Peoples Attending the COP 10, UNFCCC, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
November 29 – 30, 2003
Milan Declaration of the Sixth International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change, COP 9, UNFCCC, Milan, Italy.
October 23 - November 1, 2002
Indigenous Peoples' Caucus Statement on Climate Change, COP8, UNFCCC, New Delhi, India.
October 29 - November 9, 2001
Marrakech Statement of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus on Climate Change.
July 14 - 15, 2001
Bonn Declaration of Indigenous Peoples on Climate Change.
November 11 - 12, 2000
Hague Declaration of the Second International Forum of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities on Climate Change, The Hague.
September 4 - 6, 2000
Lyon Declaration of the First International Forum of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities on Climate Change, Lyon, France.
May 4 - 6, 2000
The Quito Declaration on Climate Change.
All the Declarations mentioned above are available through the Indigenous Climate Portal (the link to this is available at the bottom of this page under Related Links).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples responses to climate change
As the 2008 Native Title Report points out the following human rights will be negatively affected by climate change:
Right to life
Right to adequate food
Right to health
Human security
Rights of indigenous peoples
Right to water
It has been predicted that Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities will bear the brunt of climate change and will face serious health risks from malaria, dengue fever and heat stress, as well as loss of food sources from floods, drought and more intense bushfires.
Below are some examples Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities around Australia taking their own actions to combat the effects of climate change.
The Western Arnhem Land Fire Abatement (WALFA) Program.
WALFA mitigates wildfire by reintroducing traditional Indigenous fire management practice, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
generates opportunities for indigenous communities to engage in culture based economies
provides economic, cultural, social, and environmental benefits for indigenous people and the wider Australian community.
Sea level rise in Kowanyama, Cape York, Australia
Climate Change Hearings - Ngarrindjeri community South Australia
Australian Climate Hearing Project (Oxfam Australia)
Timeline of Events (International)
June 2010
launch of Indigenous Peoples' Global Network on Climate Change and Sustainable Development (IPCCSD) during the Bonn Climate Talks.
April 20 - 24 2009
Anchorage Declaration of the Indigenous Peoples' Global Summit on Climate Change which took place in Anchorage, Alaska
April 21 – May 3, 2008
7th Session of United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) dedicated to climate change.
December 6 - 17, 2004
Declaration of Indigenous Peoples Attending the COP 10, UNFCCC, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
November 29 – 30, 2003
Milan Declaration of the Sixth International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change, COP 9, UNFCCC, Milan, Italy.
October 23 - November 1, 2002
Indigenous Peoples' Caucus Statement on Climate Change, COP8, UNFCCC, New Delhi, India.
October 29 - November 9, 2001
Marrakech Statement of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus on Climate Change.
July 14 - 15, 2001
Bonn Declaration of Indigenous Peoples on Climate Change.
November 11 - 12, 2000
Hague Declaration of the Second International Forum of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities on Climate Change, The Hague.
September 4 - 6, 2000
Lyon Declaration of the First International Forum of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities on Climate Change, Lyon, France.
