RAD TOOLS & INFOSHEETS

infosheets & EXPLAINERS

Indigenous Rights & Carbon Projects on “Crown” Land

Who can create carbon projects on “Crown” land in Canada and how does this relate to Indigenous rights?

To register carbon offset credits, projects must show who owns the credits. This is pretty clear when the land is privately owned, but over 88% of Canada is considered “Crown” or public land. At the same time, all of Canada is Indigenous traditional territory and Indigenous Peoples have constitutionally and internationally recognized rights.

Unclear rules make it difficult for Indigenous Nations to move projects forward. This infosheet breaks down the barriers and opportunities.

Understanding Carbon & Carbon Markets: An Indigenous Perspective

Carbon markets are one potential tool to combat climate change that can bring funding to support land protection and conservation. So what are carbon markets and what challenges and opportunities do they present? What’s needed to ensure fair and just carbon markets that center Indigenous knowledge and leadership? Check out our info sheet for a quick reader-friendly summary.

How to Spot a Carbon Cowboy

Engaging in carbon markets can pose certain risks for communities, including the risk of dealing with “Carbon Cowboys”–individuals or entities who prioritize profit over ethical collaboration, without respect for Indigenous rights, sovereignty or traditional knowledge.

That’s why RAD made a decision-making resource to help you identify safe and ethical partners and opportunities. Click below to read and download the infographic tool.

Indigenous Fire Stewardship

Amidst climate chaos and changing times, Indigenous Nations are increasingly revitalizing traditional fire stewardship practices to mitigate risk and restore balance to the land.

What is cultural burning? What are the opportunities & barriers to Indigenous fire stewardship? Is cultural burning a ‘natural climate solution’? Read our infosheet for a quick summary and a roundup of resources to learn more from Indigenous experts.

The following infosheets were developed through the First 30×30 Canada Program, an initiative led by Nature For Justice in partnership with IISAAK OLAM Foundation and Nature Focus Development, in collaboration with the RAD Network:

Understanding Atmospheric Benefit Agreements (ABAs) Within Crown Policy Frameworks

Created in partnership with the First 30×30 Program, this resource breaks down Atmospheric Benefit Agreements (ABAs)—a key policy tool for carbon projects on “Crown” a.k.a. public lands in British Columbia. Grounded in the recognition of Indigenous rights, this resource is designed to support Indigenous governments and partners in making informed decisions about carbon opportunities.

BC Forest Carbon Offset Protocol (FCOP) Overview

What is British Columbia’s carbon regulatory system and how do carbon offsets fit into the picture? How are forest carbon projects developed, measured and verified in British Columbia? Created in partnership with the First 30×30 Program, this resource breaks down BC’s Forest Carbon Offset Protocol (FCOP) to support strategic and self-determined decision-making by Indigenous governments.

How Carbon Credits are Produced and Sold

How are carbon credits produced and sold? From defining a carbon project and validation audits to credit issuance, sales, and reinvestment, this graphic outlines how verified climate benefits can generate long-term revenue streams that support stewardship, governance, economic sovereignty, and Nation-building. Created in partnership with the First 30×30 Program.

Emerging Nature-Based Financing Approaches

From carbon markets to community-driven economies, this overview highlights tools that can support Indigenous-led stewardship and long-term sustainability.

Created in partnership with the First 30×30 Program, this resource is designed for Indigenous practitioners, communities, and ally partners seeking to better understand the range of tools and mechanisms that can mobilize resources for nature.

ENGO FINANCIAL PRACTICES: SELF-REFLECTION & ASSESSMENT TOOL

Reflective questions to better align ENGO financial practices with commitments to Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship.

RAD Network teamed up with EcoAnalytics and Environics Research to conduct research to help inform and guide Environmental NGOs (ENGOs) and funders on how to better align financial practices with their commitments to reconciliation. To do this, we wanted to get an understanding of the current state of financial practices in the sector, identify gaps between funding and commitments, engage in reflexive discussions on how to move forward, and share promising practices and practical guidance for embedding reconciliation into financial decision-making. The report highlights both the progress and the challenges in aligning ENGO financial practices with Indigenous leadership and community wisdom.

To understand what your organization can do to better align its financial practices with reconciliation, we invite you to use the reflexive self-assessment tool linked below.

SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOL

REPORT