Indigenous Led Climate Action
Working towards a climate adaptation financing system in which resources reach communities more directly, and Indigenous knowledge and governance shape responses from the outset.
About us
The International Indigenous Adaptation Network (IIAN) is a global Indigenous-led network that arose from the Adaptation Futures 2025 Indigenous Forum. It was established to: connect Indigenous Peoples working on climate adaptation, strengthen knowledge exchange, develop equitable partnerships and create more direct pathways for climate finance to reach Indigenous-led adaptation priorities and initiatives. By linking communities and knowledge holders across regions with the institutions that are able to support their work, IIAN aims to turn Indigenous leadership, knowledge and self-determination into tangible change.
Co-founded by Brett Huson (Hetxw'ms Gyetxw, Gitxsan Nation, Canada), Lisa Tumahai (Ngāti Waewae, Ngāi Tahu, New Zealand), and Tagaloa Cooper (South Pacific Regional Environment Programme), the network aims to create a global community of Indigenous Knowledge holders, leaders, researchers, and organisations to strengthen the financing of Indigenous-led climate action.
Indigenous Peoples lead the decisions, partnerships and finance that local shape climate adaptation yet the way funding is currently structured limits how far this work can progress.
Indigenous Peoples look after at least a quarter of the world’s land and much of its biodiversity, yet they receive less than 1% of the funding set aside for climate adaptation.
<1%
80%
of climate-related aid supports Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities tenure rights.
of Earth’s biodiversity is estimated to be found on lands and seas managed by Indigenous Peoples.
What we do
Strengthen Indigenous authority
Support Indigenous Peoples to shape and lead adaptation implementation, policy, governance, partnerships and decisions.
Connect knowledge and practice
Build trusted relationships across regions for knowledge exchange, shared practice, learning and collaboration.
Move finance closer to communities
Develop direct and Indigenous-governed pathways for flexible climate finance shaped by community priorities.
The Ask
The IIAN Coordinating Circle is working with many organisations and communities that are already busy doing their day-jobs, running projects, leading businesses and community organisations. There is much in-kind value and support flowing in.
Please contribute by helping to build our network, funding or connecting us to access finance networks. Please join working groups and host national and regional outreach events online or in-person.
Who we are
Lisa Tumahai CNZM
STEERING COMMITTEE
Aotearoa New Zealand
Lisa Tumahai (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Waewae) was the first woman to chair Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (2016–2023), leading its climate strategy and Te Kounga Paparangi action plan. The plan prioritises coastal marae, 16 of 18 of which face flooding and sea-level rise. She is Deputy Chair of He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission and co-chairs the Hinemoana Halo ocean fund.
Tagaloa Cooper
STEERING COMMITTEE
Apia, Samoa
Tagaloa Cooper-Halo (Niuean) has led SPREP’s Climate Change Resilience programme since 2018, coordinating Pacific engagement in UN climate talks towards COP31. She has championed SPREP’s Green Climate Fund direct access and community loss and damage dialogues. A strong ocean voice, she highlights acidification risks and champions Pacific youth.
Hetxw’ms Gyetxw Brett D. Huson
STEERING COMMITTEE
Gitxsan, Canada
Hetxw’ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Huson) of the Gitxsan Nation founded Aluu’taa, an Indigenous research institute. At the Prairie Climate Centre he brought Indigenous knowledges into the Climate Atlas of Canada. He advises the FCM’s Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation and sat on the Adaptation Futures 2025 Steering Committee. His Mothers of Xsan books share Gitxsan ecological knowledge.
Kaeden Watts
Strategic Engagement Lead
Aotearoa New Zealand
Kaeden Watts (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Tūhoe) is an Indigenous rights advocate working across climate, health and sovereignty. He has led climate change implementation at New Zealand’s Ministry of Health and is an Associate Research Fellow, University of London. An IIPFCC member at UN climate summits since COP24, he co-founded Te Waka Angamua.
Katherine Short
Aotearoa New Zealand
Coordinator
Katherine Short, F.L.O.W. Collaborative Ltd, has 30 years in ocean health, sustainable fisheries and the blue economy. At WWF she authored its first ecosystem-based fisheries management framework (2001). Whilst in Terra Moana Ltd, she advised Māori-owned Moana New Zealand for a decade and led the development of the Blue Economy Principles for Aotearoa New Zealand. She coordinates IIAN and supports Māori-led coastal restoration.
Events
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Pacific Indigenous Leadership: Transforming Climate Adaptation Finance and Decision-Making
Date and time: Tuesday 10 November at 11am - 11.50am
Venue: Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion, COP31.
The session will explore how adaptation governance and finance can shift from consulting Indigenous Peoples to being led by them, drawing on practical examples from across the Pacific.
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Indigenous Leadership Across Waters: Transforming Climate Adaptation Finance and Decision-Making
Date and time: Friday 13 November, 4:00pm – 5:00pm (local time; still provisional)
Venue: Canada Pavilion, COP31
The session will look at how adaptation finance and decision-making can shift from consulting Indigenous Peoples to being led by them. It will bring together global Indigenous perspectives, including from Canada and the Pacific.
