The MBZ Fund Launches the Global Data Study on Indigenous Peoples' Climate Contributions

MBZ Fund

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund has launched the “Global Data Study on Indigenous Peoples’ Climate Contributions” — a landmark study delving into how the knowledge systems of Indigenous Peoples are vital for responding to Climate Change across the seven socio-cultural regions, illustrating their contributions to climate ambition, mitigation, adaptation, and finance.

The study advocates for direct financing by highlighting the measurable impact of Indigenous leadership on climate and biodiversity outcomes. Forests managed by Indigenous Peoples have deforestation rates that are significantly lower — up to 50% less — than those in other areas, and Indigenous Peoples are custodians of 25% of the world's land areas. Yet, finance often fails to reach the Indigenous Peoples who are leading climate action, across mitigation, adaptation and resilience.

Through 400 case studies, the paper will showcase Indigenous knowledge systems and practices as vital for climate action while documenting the impacts of loss and damage experienced by Indigenous Peoples, despite their low carbon footprints. This approach underscores the necessity of climate justice, particularly in the context of territorial management practices that reflect diverse lifestyles, including hunting, fishing, herding, and cultivation.

Razan Al Mubarak, Managing Director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and High-Level Climate Champion for COP28 UAE, highlighted the importance and impact of Indigenous Peoples’ conservation efforts:

“Indigenous Peoples are at the forefront of climate action, yet their critical contributions remain underrecognized and underfunded. The Global Study on Indigenous Peoples’ Climate Contributions aims to provide the data needed to bridge this gap — demonstrating the impact of Indigenous leadership and advocating for the rights, resources, and recognition they deserve in global climate solutions.

The first and initial place of exclusion of indigenous peoples — their rights and voice, ways of knowing and doing and access to development benefits — is in data sets that are Indigenous Peoples-blind. This has often been termed as erasure through non-disaggregated data sets across scales. Data is foundational in shaping opinions, policy, resource allocation, and actions across scales and political spaces. The study is therefore an attempt at demonstrating and reaffirming IPs’ agency and giving space to IPs’ hues in the rainbow of knowledge systems, climate action and trends in access to resources.”

The Global Data Study on Indigenous Peoples’ Climate Contributions is a joint initiative between The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, the UN High-Level Climate Champions and the ELATIA initiative led by Indigenous Livelihood Enhancement Partners, and will formally conclude late 2025 at COP30 in Belem, where Indigenous Peoples will be front and centre. It will serve as both a resource for IPs in accessing finance, as well as a resource for financiers in understanding the business case for investing in Indigenous Peoples.

As the study advances, Ms. Al Mubarak extends an invitation to join the study and participate in shaping the future of sustainable finance:

“Ahead of COP30, we are asking for stories, case studies, and data points to help inform and shape the study, adhering to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). Your contributions will make the study richer and more diverse, and we greatly appreciate them!”

The potential in such collective initiatives is immense, and both simplifying and amplifying such powerful insights can empower broader audiences to act now.

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund lends a helping hand through innovative philanthropy, providing small grants to in-the-field species conservation projects for the world's most threatened species. For more than 20 years, H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, founding Managing Director, has played a vital role in guiding the United Arab Emirates toward a more sustainable future while spearheading progressive environmental protection, species conservation, and climate action globally.

For more information on the study, including on how to make submissions, please visit the Call for Case Studies for the Global Study on Indigenous Peoples' Climate Contributions or email ipglobalstudy@gmail.com

Razan Al Mubarak Highlights Youth-Led Climate Action at UAE Climate Action Awards

UAE Climate Action Awards

Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Managing Director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, delivered a keynote address at the UAE Climate Action Awards, an initiative supported by First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and Emirates Foundation. The event, held in Abu Dhabi, recognized the efforts of young leaders in advancing sustainability and climate action within their schools and communities.

In her remarks, Al Mubarak emphasized the critical role of youth in shaping climate solutions. She underscored that young people are not only inheritors of the climate crisis but also key drivers of innovative solutions. The UAE Climate Action Awards, introduced at COP28 in Dubai, serve as a platform for students to develop and implement sustainability initiatives, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to integrating youth perspectives into environmental decision-making.

Acknowledging the sponsors, Al Mubarak praised FAB and Emirates Foundation for their leadership in creating opportunities for students to actively engage in climate action. She highlighted how partnerships between financial institutions, government entities, and educational organizations can catalyze long-term sustainability efforts.

Reflecting on the UAE’s broader environmental leadership, Al Mubarak noted the country’s commitment to nature-based climate solutions, from mangrove restoration to biodiversity conservation. She pointed to the upcoming IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi as an opportunity to further explore these solutions on a global scale.

She concluded with a call to action, urging students to continue advocating for sustainability and encouraging business leaders to support youth-driven initiatives beyond the competition:

“Your efforts are already shaping the future. This is just the beginning.”

The UAE Climate Action Awards mark a significant step in fostering a culture of sustainability within schools and communities, demonstrating how collective action can drive meaningful change.

Razan Al Mubarak Advocates for Action Beyond 2030 at the World Governments Summit

World Governments Summit

At the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2025 in Dubai, Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak joined global leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the future of sustainable development, innovation, and philanthropy.

As a speaker at the XDGs 2045 Ministerial Roundtable, Ms. Al Mubarak emphasized the need to accelerate implementation of existing global sustainability frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Rather than developing new frameworks, she highlighted the urgency of enhancing collaboration, leveraging transformative innovation, and ensuring long-term impact.

Ms. Al Mubarak also participated in a roundtable on philanthropy in the Global South, where she discussed how independent, values-driven philanthropy can play a crucial role in addressing pressing global challenges. Drawing on the example of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (MBZ Fund), she underscored the importance of direct, unrestricted funding models that empower conservationists and local communities without bureaucratic delays or political influence.

Special thanks were given to the organizations that made this important conversation possible, including the Office of Development Affairs at the UAE Presidential Court, on the occasion of the World Governments Summit 2025. Their support underscores the critical role of philanthropy in addressing global challenges and advancing sustainable solutions.

Her engagements at WGS reinforced the message that the path forward requires a multi-stakeholder approach, integrating the expertise of governments, private sector leaders, non-governmental organizations, and indigenous communities. As the world looks beyond 2030, Ms. Al Mubarak continues to advocate for collaborative, science-driven solutions that drive real progress for both people and nature.