Arctic Peoples

by Clive Tesar

Arctic Indigenous Peoples are engaging in two processes this week to advance climate change action. In Svolvaer, Norway, the Arctic Council meeting is considering future action including a study of materials that contribute to climate change that are not carbon dioxide. These other materials include soot, ozone, and methane.

Meanwhile, other Arctic Leaders are attending a meeting of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues.

This week, the forum is focusing on climate change issues.

Speaking on behalf of the Inuit Circumpolar Council and the Saami Council , Patricia Cochran told the Forum:

“It is clear that in future COPs, the plight of Indigenous Peoples will not be addressed if they are not at the table and not involved in the decision-making. We call upon the United Nations to open the door to indigenous peoples in all matters affecting climate change.”

Ms. Cochran highlighted three recommendations to the Permanent Forum, and through the Permanent Forum to the wider UN community:

1. each UN agency that works on climate change matters should develop a special Arctic focal point for climate change;
2. the UNFCCC should develop a seat at the negotiating table specifically dedicated to Indigenous Peoples, in which we would have direct access to decision-makers and where we would be able to offer our knowledge in constructive ways;
3. All UN member states and agencies should include in their climate change strategies a screening mechanism that evaluates the impacts of mitigation measures themselves on Indigenous Peoples.

Back in Svolvaer, the indigenous leaders at the Arctic Council called on the Arctic states to adopt and promote these recommendations in dealing with United Nations processes. They also urged the Arctic states to ensure that the increasingly worrying projections for the Arctic climate are central to ongoing United Nations consideration of global action on climate change.