November 6, 2025
ARLINGTON, Va. (Nov. 6, 2025) — Ahead of COP 30, Conservation International celebrates a new global $1.8 billion pledge advancing Indigenous-led climate and biodiversity action.
The Land and Forest Tenure Pledge 2.0 builds on commitments made at COP26 to support Indigenous and local community land tenure rights and help stop deforestation and land degradation by 2030.
“The world’s healthiest forests and richest biodiversity are often found on lands managed by Indigenous Peoples and local communities — they are already delivering some of the most effective climate results on Earth,” said Francisco Souza, Senior Vice President of Conservation International’s Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Center. “Direct investment in their land rights is not only a matter of justice; it’s one of the smartest climate strategies we have. This new pledge is part of a shift that’s putting power and resources directly in the hands of the people who are already protecting the planet.”
The original COP26 pledge exceeded its funding goal. In recognition of this new global pledge, Conservation International announcesWEAVE, a new initiative designed to help operationalize and align funding for climate action led by Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
A New Era for Climate Finance
WEAVE responds to three recent landmark commitments that represent a fundamental shift in climate finance:
- The Land and Forest Tenure Pledge 2.0, which renews and expands the $1.8 billion Forest Tenure Pledge made in 2021 at COP26 in Glasgow, supporting Indigenous and community forest tenure rights to halt deforestation by 2030.
- The Intergovernmental Land Tenure Commitment, which establishes national targets to legally recognize Indigenous, Afro-descendant and local community land rights.
- The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), which introduces a $125 billion blended-finance mechanism — with at least 20% targeted for direct access by Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
A Collaborative Pathway
Building on more than three decades of collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and local communities, WEAVE represents Conservation International’s enduring commitment to thread together communities, inclusive governance knowledge systems and finance into a cohesive fabric for climate and biodiversity action.
Through WEAVE, Conservation International — in partnership with and guided by Indigenous Peoples and local communities — will align public, private and philanthropic finance to advance Indigenous and local leadership and rights. The initiative will translate global climate and biodiversity commitments into coordinated, on-the-ground action — linking global ambition with community-led solutions.
With WEAVE, Conservation International commits to:
- Streamline and expand direct-access finance for initiatives led by Indigenous Peoples and local communities by simplifying processes and reducing barriers to funding.
- Support implementation and coordination of global pledges through aligned partnerships and shared monitoring frameworks.
- Strengthen bioeconomies and nature-based solutions led by Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
- Center Indigenous knowledge in and beyond monitoring and evaluation systems.
“These global commitments are a real step forward for rights, justice and climate ambition,” said Kristen Walker Painemilla, Conservation International’s Senior Vice President leading efforts to expand inclusive finance for Indigenous Peoples and local communities. “Now the work begins to turn them into action — with Indigenous Peoples and local communities leading the way.”
Examples of Conservation International’s collaborative work with Indigenous Peoples and local communities
- Kayapó Fund (Brazil) – A trust fund supporting Indigenous governance and protection of 9 million hectares of rainforest.
- Inclusive Conservation Initiative (Global) – Direct finance to 10 Indigenous organizations — representing 7.6 million hectares of land and seascape — advancing biodiversity and climate goals.
- Dedicated Grant Mechanism (Global) – Strengthening Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ governance and livelihoods across 13 forest nations.
- Our Future Forests–Amazonia Verde – Supporting community-led forest management and sustainable economies across the Amazon.
- Blue Nature Alliance (Global) – Supporting local and Indigenous leadership in large-scale ocean protection.