A/HRC/45/34/Add.3 climate change adaptation measures in many regions. 37 In 2019, the Panel emphasized the crucial role played by indigenous peoples and local communities in preserving ecosystems and preventing deforestation, which are key to combating climate change.38 Nevertheless, the valuable contributions of indigenous peoples towards protecting the environment from climate change continue to be denied. 39. Participants in the regional consultation exchanged experiences of how their indigenous traditional knowledge is effective in combating climate change. The use of indigenous seasonal seeds enhances biodiversity and a sustainable traditional diet. Improved food security increases the autonomy of indigenous communities and leads to a more efficient use of resources. Indigenous rainwater harvesting and irrigation systems provide effective tools for water retention. Indigenous forest management and the planting of local tree varieties rather than imported species avoids draining the soils of nutrients and water sources and reduces erosion. Traditional fire control techniques help to control wildfires. Indigenous building techniques can create house structures that are more resilient to flooding and earthquakes. Platforms for exchanging information about traditional practices among indigenous peoples are extremely important. 40. Education and the transmission of traditional knowledge to indigenous youth and children about measures to address climate change is crucial. As a positive example, the Government of Timor-Leste has decided to make permaculture a compulsory subject in the primary school curriculum since 2015. During her country visit, the Special Rapporteur witnessed inspiring initiatives undertaken in schools to educate children hands-on about plants and conservation, as a measure to transmit indigenous knowledge to future generations.39 41. While increased funding is being dedicated to climate change-related projects, indigenous peoples are concerned about their inadequate participation and consultation in such projects. More communication materials need to be developed in indigenous languages and processes need to be culturally adapted to ensure the participation of indigenous peoples. Participatory monitoring mechanisms of projects are essential. 42. Climate finance has the potential to bolster the efforts made by indigenous peoples to adapt to climate change and contribute to climate change mitigation. The Special Rapporteur notes, however, that unless it is based on respect for the land rights of indigenous peoples, climate finance without adequate human rights safeguards has the potential to undermine the rights of indigenous peoples. 43. The Special Rapporteur calls for the adoption of all the policy, legal and administrative measures necessary to effectively engage indigenous peoples in climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, with full recognition of their rights over their lands, territories and resources, as enshrined in international human rights law and as recognized in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. States, funders and donors all carry responsibilities in this regard.40 E. Business and human rights 44. Activities linked to large-scale development projects (including for the construction of megadams), extractive industries, monocrop plantations (notably for the production of palm oil) and logging are increasing in the region, which in turn results in the loss of indigenous lands and territories, the massive displacement of indigenous peoples, the destruction of their environment, rising poverty and migration. These consequences arise against the backdrop of weak or absent legal regulations capable of affirming or protecting 37 38 39 40 10 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability – Part A: Global and Sectoral Aspects (Cambridge University Press, 2014), chap. 7. Ibid., Climate Change and Land: an IPCC Special Report on Climate Change, Desertification, Land Degradation, Sustainable Land Management, Food Security, and Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Terrestrial Ecosystems (2019). A/HRC/42/37/Add.2, para. 55. A/HRC/36/46; www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?News ID=25003&LangID=E.