7 April 2010: The latest issue of the Traditional Knowledge Bulletin, published by the Traditional Knowledge Initiative of the UN University-Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU IAS), features an article that analyzes of the outcome of the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 15) and the potential priorities for indigenous peoples in 2010.

Authored by UNU-IAS Senior Research Fellow Sam Johnston and Executive Director of the Tebtebba Foundation Vicky Tauli-Corpuz, the article is titled “The Road Ahead: What next for Indigenous People in the climate change negotiations?” It identifies gaps in the Copenhagen Accord, such as: the absence of specific reference to indigenous peoples; the failure to address key drivers of deforestation; and disregard for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the development of methodologies for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD).
The article also identifies five key priorities to promote the adequate representation and protection of indigenous peoples in the climate change regime. These priorities relate to: ensuring indigenous peoples’ participation in the UNFCCC process; raising awareness about the relevance of indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge to the climate change process; promoting indigenous peoples’ participation in several mechanisms such as REDD initiatives, the deforestation fund proposed at COP 15, and carbon initiatives, including the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility; ensuring that the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) includes the views of indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge; and mobilizing local action among indigenous peoples to promote awareness about traditional knowledge success stories in adaptation and mitigation of climate change. [The Article]