Abstract:
The thesis aims to analyze the need for the inclusion of indigenous peoples and local communities in the international climate change governance system. Global warming is a threat to international society and its ways of livelihood. Climate change threatens the balance of ecosystems and the ways of life of the population as a whole. Food security, disease, and forced migration are some of the many consequences of a global temperature change. With the awareness of the threat of this phenomenon, the international community through the international political structures, and the different countries organize themselves to create public policies and strategies to deal with climate change. Despite the unanimity on the recognition of the problem, the international governance system of climate change creates frictions on the actors who must participate in these processes and their influence in decision-making. The particular economic and development interests of each country prevent the reach of a consensus on the actions needed to achieve the climate goals. In comparison, communities such as indigenous peoples and local communities enjoy concrete knowledge about the territories they inhabit that can be fundamental for policy making regarding climate change and on this consideration the inclusion of these communities in the governance processes of climate change and necessary for the creation of effective climate policies. From the description of the main theories of multilevel governance, the research continues with a delineation of the multilevel governance system of climate change and what is the current participation of indigenous peoples and local communities. Finally, the thesis examines the main contributions of indigenous peoples and how they can positively influence the achievement of the climate goals.
