Territories of Life and the new Global Biodiversity Framework: An analysis of contributions, threats and opportunities

Abstract

Even though there have been efforts towards a more inclusive and equitable conservation, a surface bias in the accomplishment of conservation targets remains, threatening Indigenous Peoples and local communities. For the first time, the new conservation policy through its Target 3 (that aims to protect 30 % of the planet) explicitly acknowledges Indigenous and traditional territories as a pathway to conservation. However, this pathway has been let out by the indicators to measure Target 3. Contributions by territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, known as ICCAs or Territories of Life, are key to the global conservation scenario. This article reflects on the role of Territories of Life in the global conservation scenario and the threats and opportunities that the new Global Biodiversity Framework ant its Target 3 may pose for them.