The consensus of the world’s climate scientists is that
man-made greenhouse gas emissions are creating
significant changes in the global climate system. Higher
temperatures, rising sea levels and more extreme storms
will fundamentally change where and how we live.
International human rights law recognises and protects
the distinct rights of indigenous peoples whose way of
life comes under threat from particular circumstances,
such as climate change.
At the 7th Session of the United Nations Permanent
Forum on Indigenous Issues, held in April 2008, the issue
of climate change and indigenous people was placed
firmly on the international agenda.
At the session, indigenous peoples from across the globe,
shared the concern that they would bear the brunt of
climate change impacts, while at the same time being
called upon to share their traditional knowledge on
biodiversity and land management to develop national
mitigation strategies.
The forum concluded that mitigation and adaptation
strategies must be ‘holistic and take into account not
only the ecological dimensions of climate change,
but also the social impacts, human rights, equity and
environmental justice.’
Building genuine partnerships
Climate change poses a major threat to Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander lands, waters and resources in
Australia, as well as the maintenance of their traditional
life, languages and cultures.
It is clear that Indigenous Australians are major
stakeholders in developing and advancing a national
climate change policy. To date, however, there has
been little attempt to foster genuine, coordinated and
sustained participation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples.
This omission needs to be rectified because:
a human-rights approach means that Indigenous •
peoples will be actively engaged in all levels of
management and decision-making that aects their
livelihoods and communities.
engaging and supporting Indigenous peoples is •
essential to ensure the eectiveness of adaptation
and mitigation strategies for both Indigenous
communities and the broader Australian community.
reducing greenhouse gases and carbon abatement •
will rely heavily on Indigenous lands and waters.
Indigenous traditional knowledge, land management •
and conservation practices will be crucial to
responding to climate change, maintaining biological
diversity and preserving important ecosystems.
New opportunities: ‘Culture based’
economies
While the impacts of climate change are potentially
devastating for Indigenous communities, there are
also opportunities to contribute to mitigation eorts
and develop ‘culture based’ economies in areas such as
biodiversity conservation, land and water management
and carbon sequestration.
In Northern Australia, culture based economies are
already providing important environmental services
that meet Indigenous peoples’ aspirations and serve the
national interest.
For example, the WALFA Project in Western Arnhem
Land, where savanna burning is mitigating wild fire, has
resulted in economic, cultural, social and environmental
benefits for Indigenous people and the wider Australian
community.
Programs such as the Caring for Country Initiative, the
Working on Country Program and new national
Climate change and water:
Engaging Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples
The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in
September 2007.
The Declaration supports the full participation and engagement of indigenous peoples in the development
and implementation of national and international policy. This will be particularly important for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples in responding to climate change.