A new report from Conservation International shows that Indigenous cultural practices directly improve carbon storage and biodiversity on Indigenous lands. The study surveyed 49 Indigenous leaders from six continents and found that traditional management like avoiding overfishing, maintaining sacred spaces, and resisting extraction keeps forests and ecosystems healthy. The research challenges the misconception that Indigenous lands are healthy because they are remote. Instead, active stewardship by Indigenous communities is the key driver of carbon sequestration and ecosystem resilience. The report highlights that 96 percent of surveyed communities set aside land for spiritual or cultural uses, which also protects ecosystems. Drought and extreme weather are the top climate impacts cited, and more than half of communities face threats from mining, logging, and commercial agriculture. Indigenous leaders are calling for direct access to climate resilience funding, stronger legal protections for their territories, and recognition of their land rights. The study reinforces that securing Indigenous land rights is a practical climate solution that benefits everyone.
