From Pledge to Practice: Transforming Climate and Biodiversity Finance through Indigenous-Led Action

As the world accelerates toward COP30 in Belém, a growing global movement is demanding a transformation in how climate and biodiversity finance is delivered. Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) are leading this transformation—not only through their deep stewardship of nature, but by designing and implementing financial mechanisms rooted in their own governance systems, values, and relationships with the Earth.

This session will spotlight the emerging COP30 Global Pledge for IPLC-Led Climate and Biodiversity Solutions—a joint commitment to mobilize $2 billion in direct, accessible, and accountable funding for IPLC-led initiatives by 2030. Moving from pledge to practice means centering IPLC leadership in the design, governance, and implementation of funding mechanisms—and delivering on commitments with integrity, transparency, and equity.

Participants will hear directly from Indigenous leaders and partners advancing groundbreaking models that demonstrate how this transformation is already taking shape. These include the Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI), the Dedicated Grant Mechanism (DGM), the Tenure Facility, Blue Nature Alliance, Shanidiaa and new territorial funds designed and governed by IPLCs. These efforts are not just innovations; they represent a fundamental shift in power, equity, and scale—toward finance that is accountable to those who safeguard our planet’s ecosystems.