At a time of unprecedented threats to the global environment, local leadership in governing and managing natural resources is increasingly becoming a critical solution for both people and nature. One key challenge is to identify the most appropriate pathways for enabling the resilience and security of local environmental custodians around the world. In response, a number of conservation organizations and contributors have worked collaboratively over the course of many months to develop a transparent analytical process, in consultation and dialogue with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) representatives and experts, to reach a set of technical findings on spatiallyrelevant conservation values of IPLC lands, and related recommendations for organizations that work with IPLCs, or whose actions may affect them.

This global analysis on IPLC lands2 provides a science-based assessment that can be used to guide the development of policies, research and other actions supporting IPLCs and their customs and practices that have, or have the potential for, effective conservation outcomes across the globe. While based on best available data, the results are likely an underestimate of the true extent of IPLC lands.3 Being focused on conservation, the results also cannot reflect the other diverse values of IPLC lands, such as cultural and spiritual values that are often interrelated and embedded in the social, political, economic and geographic contexts. Despite these limitations, the following key findings provide evidence for moving forward on a shared agenda of respecting, recognizing and building support for those who play a key role in protecting nature, and whose role and well-being is critical to achieve the world’s Sustainable Development Goals.