United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is a framework agreement embodying the minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of indigenous people. The rights set out in the UNDRIP include both individual and collective rights of indigenous people. It builds on existing human rights standards, which are applied specifically to indigenous people. Further, it addresses the apprehension that existing international human rights instruments focus on individual rights while neglecting collective rights. Considering that indigenous people are more vulnerable to climate change impacts due to their relationship with their lands, environment, territories and resources, the UNDRIP aims to mitigate vulnerability, and strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity, identifying elements that contribute to environmental management.

It particularly states that indigenous people have the right to the conservation and protection of the environment and the productive capacity of their lands and resources, emphasizing that hazardous materials should not be stored or disposed of in their lands without their free, prior and informed consent. Moreover, it recognizes the indigenous people's right to maintain and strengthen their spiritual relationship with lands they traditionally own, occupy and use, the territories, waters and coastal seas, and other resources, and to uphold their responsibilities to future generations accordingly.