Paper short abstract:

A series of films premiered at the Paris Climate Change Conference produced by Perspective Film Production showing how indigenous peoples and local communities - all 2015 Equator Prize Winners - are fighting to save their lands, reduce poverty, protect some of the planet’s most precious species and combat climate change.

Paper long abstract:

Protecting Forests - Home to 1.6 billion people who depend on them for survival and a global asset in the fight against climate change this film shows how local communities are stewards of many of the last remaining forests and vital if greenhouse gas emission targets are to be achieved.

Combating Climate Change - Despite the vulnerability of indigenous peoples and local communities to climate change, they have generations of experience coping with environmental uncertainty, knowledge central to forging effective climate change solutions. This film follows these solutions.

Securing Land Rights - Customary rights to over 65% of the world’s land area is held by indigenous people and local communities. Just 18% of that area is protected by government-recognized rights. As these films reveal, securing rights often demands decades of perseverance, partnership and fighting powerful vested interests. Films cover Belize, Bolivia, Honduras, Borneo, Madagascar.