At COP29, held recently in Dubai, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy delivered a significant speech supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities in forest conservation efforts.
His commitment involves new funding, expanded land rights, and sustainable livelihood programmes to address climate change and biodiversity loss. This move positions the UK as a key player in the global fight to preserve critical ecosystems.
Strengthening Indigenous Land Rights
In his speech, Lammy emphasized the critical role Indigenous Peoples play in protecting natural habitats, noting that these communities manage approximately half of the world’s land, containing a large share of the planet’s biodiversity and forest cover.
Yet, Indigenous rights are officially protected on only a fraction of this land. Highlighting the urgency, Lammy pointed out,
“The world’s forests are declining at an alarming rate—each year, we lose an area slightly larger than Azerbaijan.”
As part of the UK’s renewed efforts, Lammy announced a £50 million funding programme over the next two years to combat illegal logging and support Indigenous forest stewards.
The initiative will fund educational projects, legal support, and new job opportunities, offering communities sustainable alternatives to environmentally damaging practices.
A Historic Funding Pledge
A centrepiece of Lammy’s announcement is the UK’s commitment to allocate £1.5 billion to forest protection within its £11.6 billion climate finance package.
This funding, he explained, reflects the UK’s dedication to fostering partnerships that directly benefit forest communities and strengthen their capacity to protect these vital areas.
Below is a breakdown of how the pledged funds will be distributed:
Initiative |
Funding Amount |
Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Protection Programme | £50 million | Combat illegal logging, support forest conservation |
| Amazon & Congo Basin Support | £94 million | Empower Indigenous voices in governance processes |
| Land Facility Programme | £150 million | Improve land tenure rights and governance in partner nations |
In addition to the substantial financial backing, Lammy underscored the importance of long-term, continuous support, describing it as “the long haul” necessary to effect lasting change.
He noted that financial commitments from philanthropists, foundations, and government donors will all play an essential role in this global conservation effort.
UK Collaboration with Global South Partners
The UK government also plans to strengthen collaboration with governments in the Global South, including Brazil and Guyana, to improve land governance systems. This partnership will focus on transparent land management and securing legal rights for Indigenous and local communities.
For Lammy, the aim is to establish a model that enhances governance while respecting traditional land tenure.
The UK’s new Land Facility Programme, which Lammy introduced as part of the COP29 announcement, will partner with these governments to address gaps in land tenure and promote sustainable management practices.
He described it as an investment in “nature-based solutions,” emphasizing that protecting forests not only addresses climate change but also improves global biodiversity.
Indigenous Leadership and Cultural Preservation
As part of the initiative, the UK aims to help Indigenous communities gain agency in safeguarding their territories. Lammy shared stories of his work with Amerindian communities along the Essequibo River in Guyana, where he and his wife co-founded Sophia Point, a conservation centre.
“This is about coming alongside communities,” he said, “to give them livelihoods based on rights and purpose.”
To further encourage these communities, the programme will support Indigenous scientists, land managers, and educators who contribute to the protection of their own ecosystems.
This approach recognises that Indigenous knowledge systems are essential to both conservation and sustainable land use.
Sustained Global Commitments Needed
Lammy concluded by calling on other nations to reinforce their support for forest conservation efforts, underlining the UK’s commitment to leading this charge.
As COP29 drew to a close, the Foreign Secretary reminded the world that forest conservation and Indigenous rights must be central to any effective climate strategy.
“This is our goal for the next IPLC Forest Tenure Pledge,” he said, referring to the $1.7 billion Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Forest Tenure Pledge that 25 donor countries, including the UK, made at COP26.
As part of its ongoing support, the UK will work alongside Indigenous leaders to plan the next phase of this pledge at the upcoming COP30 in Brazil, ensuring that these essential programmes are extended beyond 2025.
Lammy’s dedication underscores a central truth: preserving forests is not only crucial to reaching climate targets but is also an investment in the survival and empowerment of Indigenous communities around the world.
Sources: THX News, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office & The Rt Hon David Lammy MP.
