CAUCUS Indigenous Statement for COP-MOP Closing Plenary at COP 16

International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) Statement
for COP-MOP Closing Plenary, UNFCCC CMP 6/COP 16 – Cancun

December 10, 2010

Thank you,

Madame President, we thank you for the opportunity to make our statement at this closing plenary of the Ad hoc Working Group on CMP/COP.

As the only legally binding agreement to ensure that developed nations continue actions to reduce emissions, Indigenous Peoples are encouraged with the latest text from the AWG KP. Indigenous peoples FULLY support the revised text that urges developed countries to reduce their emissions by 25 - 40 %, with an agreement to use 1990 as the base year, though we note our position is for a 50% reduction.

A non-legally binding agreement will not bring about the urgent actions that are needed to prevent the runaway and compounding impacts of climate change that are already affecting Indigenous Peoples around the world. This must come out of future talks.

We reiterate our proposals for inclusion under any outcomes:

1. Full respect for our rights, including those contained in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
2. Respect for our right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent in all climate change programs and activities;
3. Recognition and protection of our traditional knowledge in all mitigation and adaptation measures;
4. Full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in all processes, mechanisms and bodies relating to climate change at all levels:

Likewise, developed countries must fulfill their legal obligations and commit to drastic emissions reductions, and not pass the burden to developing countries and peoples. In this context, we maintain our position that the carbon market, including the CDM, forest offsets, and REDD plus plans, are false solutions to climate change.

We want to make clear that the protection of Mother Earth is the obligation of all of humanity. For that reason, we are committed to retain our role as stewards of Mother Earth, and all the ecosystems upon which our collective survival depends.

Thank you 

Sheena Watt