Indigenous-led conservation efforts supported by the government in Canada are significantly contributing to the fight against climate change, according to researchers. A recent study published in Earth’s Future revealed that initiatives like Indigenous protected and conserved areas and land guardian programs are more effective in reducing carbon emissions compared to federally and provincially protected areas. The report also highlights that these initiatives perform equally well in preserving biodiversity.
Camilo Alejo, a post-doctoral fellow at Concordia University and the study’s lead author, emphasized the positive environmental and social outcomes resulting from the federal government’s support for Indigenous stewardship. Alejo pointed out that Indigenous-led conservation programs offer a holistic approach, bridging youth and elders, Indigenous knowledge with Western knowledge, and connecting Indigenous governments with local and provincial authorities.
Steven Nitah, the managing director of the non-profit Nature for Justice and a leader in Indigenous-led conservation from the Łutsël K’é’ Dene First Nation, stressed the importance of government funding for Indigenous conservation efforts, especially in certain jurisdictions. However, Nitah highlighted that jurisdictional issues pose significant challenges for Indigenous conservation efforts, with many Indigenous protected areas not being recognized by provincial and territorial governments.
The Earth’s Future report also identified unresolved land rights, power imbalances, and restrictive legislation as obstacles hindering Indigenous-led nature-based solutions. Alejo emphasized the necessity for clear land rights for Indigenous peoples to achieve positive environmental and social outcomes. He recommended that the government should increase long-term funding for these projects to further expand and support Indigenous-led conservation efforts.