The Paris Agreement acknowledges, in Article 7.5, that adaptation should be based on and guided by, among other things, 'traditional knowledge, knowledge of indigenous peoples and local knowledge systems'. The accumulated knowledge within Indigenous knowledge systems is particularly important as it can assist governments in determining how the climate is changing, how to characterise these impacts and provide lessons for adaptation . In this context, Indigenous knowledge systems can play an important role in the effective design of local laws , as well as national laws. Doing so can contribute to the success of climate change response strategies, including enhancing local participation and the implementation of community-based and ecosystem-based adaptations . For example, the Makorongo Village Forest Management By-Law in Tanzania codifies local customary practices relating to forest management and sustainable harvesting with associated dual adaptation and mitigation benefits and includes all villagers in the decision-making processes relating to forest management . The inclusion of beneficial Indigenous knowledge systems within local by-laws is contingent on the active involvement of members of the Indigenous community and awareness
IPCC
Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
IPCC Report