Engaging meaningfully with Indigenous Knowledge to transform IPCC assessments

Indigenous Knowledge Systems offer critical insights into climate impacts and responses, yet despite progress, they remain marginal within Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessments.

This briefing draws on interviews with nine IPCC and Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) authors experienced in working with Indigenous Knowledge Systems to examine why meaningful engagement remains elusive and what needs to change.

We identify key pathways including: early engagement that embeds Indigenous participation from scoping onwards; building institutional architecture; rethinking evidence and its governance, respecting Indigenous data sovereignty and free, prior and informed consent; and navigating political dynamics with Indigenous Peoples' observer organisations.