Contribution short abstract

Drawing on a Feminist Political Ecology framework, this study examines power dynamics within Canada-funded highland wetland conservation projects in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia where national protected areas overlap with Indigenous territorial rights.

Contribution long abstract

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are increasingly promoted as strategies to respond to societal challenges by delivering multiple benefits for human well-being, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. At international and national levels, initiatives such as wetland and peatland conservation, ecosystem restoration, and reforestation have advanced under the NbS framework. The highest concentration of NbS initiatives in Latin America has emerged in the Andes, largely financed through international cooperation. Although recent progress in recognizing Indigenous peoples’ roles in climate solutions and biodiversity conservation, major gaps in participation remain. Andean Indigenous communities continue to be marginalized in conservation decision-making, resource governance, and benefit-sharing processes. Particularly, Andean Indigenous women face intertwined barriers that restrict their participation, access to NbS benefits, and influence over NbS governance.

Canada has committed to supporting global climate efforts by promoting NbS in the Global South under its Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP). While FIAP is aligned with global environmental and gender equity goals, concerns persist regarding its ability to translate intersectional and community-driven approaches into practice. Drawing on a Feminist Political Ecology framework, this study examines power dynamics within Canada-funded highland wetland conservation projects in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia where national protected areas overlap with Indigenous territorial rights. Using a qualitative intersectional lens, we analyze how gender, ethnicity, and cultural identity shape access to resources and participation in NbS. Findings reveal key barriers and opportunities for Indigenous women’s leadership in NbS initiatives This study contributes to ongoing debates on environmental justice and inclusive environmental governance.