African Indigenous Peoples and the UNEP Green Economy Initiative

The UN Environment Program (UNEP) has released a report on the Green Economy Initiative (GEI), which is a major theme for the upcoming UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) marking the 20th anniversary of the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. The GEI represents a central element in international policy about responding to the crisis of global climate instability, the rapid decline in biodiversity and the serious threats these pose to peace and well-being on the planet.

The GEI offers some important ideas about moving to a low carbon economy, but is based on some questionable premises,including its exclusion of the role of civil society and the rights of Indigenous Peoples to conserve and sustain the biodiversity in their traditional territories.

From August 15-16, 2011, IPACC and Natural Justice facilitated a workshop of African indigenous leaders from nine African countries to study the content of the Green Economy Initiative, develop a critical understanding of its recommendations, assumptions and purpose, articulate a response, and issue a formal statement and a response document to be submitted to UNEP.

To read the full report, click here.