Indigenous Participation and the Incorporation of Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives in Global Environmental Governance Forums: a Systematic Review

Melanie Zurba,Anastasia Papadopoulos

doi:10.1007/s00267-021-01566-8

Melanie Zurba, Anastasia Papadopoulos

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-021-01566-8

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Abstract

Global environmental governance (GEG) forums, such as those convened through the United Nations, result in the development of monumental guiding frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Conference of Parties (COPs) Aichi and post-2020 targets. The ratification of policy frameworks by member and/or signatory states can result in major shifts in environmental policy and decision-making and has major implications for Indigenous communities. In this article, we present systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature on Indigenous participation in GEG forums, and focus on the specific questions: (1) what GEG forums include Indigenous participation and (2) how do Indigenous peoples participate in GEG forums, including how their perspectives and knowledges are framed and/or included/excluded within governance discussions, decisions, and negotiations. We provide a bibliometric analysis of the articles and derive seven inductively determined themes from our review: (1) Critical governance forums and decisions; (2) inclusion and exclusion of Indigenous voices and knowledge in GEG forums; (3) capacity barriers; (4) knowledge hierarchies: inclusion, integration, and bridging; (5) representation and grouping of Indigenous peoples in GEG; (6) need for networks among and between Indigenous peoples and other governance actors; and (7) Indigenous peoples influence on GEG decisions and processes. Our findings can be used to improve GEG forums by contributing to the development strategies that address the barriers and inequities to meaningful and beneficial Indigenous participation and can contribute to future research that is focused on understanding the experiences of Indigenous peoples within GEG forums.

Highlights

Global environmental governance (GEG) forums, such as those convened through the United Nations (UN), resultEnvironmental Management signatory states can result in major shifts in environmental policy and decision-making and have major implications for communities at the local level
The “how” of Indigenous participation in GEG was interpreted based on emergent concepts such as how Indigenous peoples are framed within governance discussions, decisions, and negotiations, how Indigenous peoples arerepresented, opportunities for participation and influence, and inclusion or exclusion of Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and experiences in decision-making
The results of our review create an important baseline for understanding Indigenous participation in GEG forums and potential pathways for enhancing the benefits of participation in environmental governance at the global level

Summary

Introduction

Global environmental governance (GEG) forums, such as those convened through the United Nations (UN), resultEnvironmental Management signatory states can result in major shifts in environmental policy and decision-making and have major implications for communities at the local level. Global environmental governance (GEG) forums, such as those convened through the United Nations (UN), result. Despite the ongoing and potential for impact from such frameworks on Indigenous peoples, they are often marginalized from environmental decision-making processes or are assigned roles in governance that are less than meaningful and fail to create outcomes that reflect traditional, cultural or spiritual values (Suchet-Pearson et al, 2013; Zurba & Berkes, 2014; Chen et al, 2018). There is growing awareness among Indigenous communities, academics, governments, and global conservation organizations that social and environmental benefits should be secured through Indigenous participation and collaboration within GEG systems (Gebara, 2013). Environmental benefits include enhanced monitoring and stewardship (e.g., fire management) according to traditional knowledge systems (Garnett et al, 2018), and improved community support for managing endangered species (Renwick et al, 2017), among others

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