TOOLS & SERVICES FOR INDIGENOUS NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS
August 2024
At the RAD Network, we believe that collaboration is key to paving the path forward for Indigenous-led nature-based solutions (NbS). As a network, we weave relationships, connect across silos, and shed light on needs and resources. RAD seeks to connect Nations to tools and supports, while working with non-Indigenous partners to foster decolonized, rights-centered collaboration.
With increasing recognition of the value and need for Indigenous-led NbS, we’re seeing a range of programs and resources emerge across the country. We summarized several of such initiatives in our April 2024 report, “Cultivating Capacity: A Scan of Needs and Resources for Indigenous-led Nature-based Solutions”. The report identifies key capacity barriers –relating to knowledge, funding, skills, collaboration and support for holistic objectives– and summarizes six initiatives that address different capacity gaps.
In June, we shared the findings of this ‘ecosystem scan’ in a webinar where we featured key tools and service providers and heard from guest speakers at BC Assembly of First Nations, Ecotrust Canada and Wahkohtowin Development. Watch the recording here and scroll through the slides below for snapshots of:
- The First Nations Carbon Toolkit | BCAFN & Ecotrust Canada
- Greenhouse Gas Offset Toolkit | Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
- Terrestrial Carbon Monitoring Community of Practice (CoP) & Data Platform | WWF-Canada & Partners (Conceptual Phase)
- Natural Asset Management CoP | Natural Assets Initiative (Conceptual Phase)
- Westcoast IPCA Support Program (WISP) & The Big Coast Forest Climate Initiative | CICICA, IISAAK OLAM Foundation, T’Sou-ke First Nation
- The First 30×30 Initiative | Nature for Justice, IISAAK OLAM Foundation & Nature Focus Development
- Wahkohtowin Guardians & Youth Climate Champions | Wahkohtowin Development
Slides – June 2024 “Cultivating Capacity” Webinar:
Over the summer, these initiatives have continued to evolve and several new ones are on the horizon. Notably, First 30×30 Canada officially launched in July, as a first-of-its kind initiative to channel carbon and NbS finance to the growing network of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) across Canada. The initiative supports Indigenous governments with NbS project ideation and co-creation, early-stage project support, investor matching, and facilitating fair benefit-sharing (i.e., fair project financing agreements between investors and Indigenous governments based on the principles of free, prior, informed consent). Read more at their newly launched website.
We look forward to collaborating with the First 30×30 team to share more via a webinar in Fall 2024. Stay tuned!
