This year’s forum set in motion historic actions to bring greater justice to a topic called Digital Sequence Information (DSI).
Revolutionizing How We Value and Share Biodiversity Data
The Rockefeller Foundation has spent years supporting efforts to clarify how this biodiversity data can be shared equitably and openly.
This has required the world to rethink our relationship with genetic information so Indigenous communities not only maintain sovereignty over their data, but also benefit from the digitization of biodiversity they have long safeguarded.
Our early support of the Meridian Institute’s work on these issues, has sought to do just that. Now, with these new frameworks for DSI just passed at COP16, there is finally some agreement that we must uphold fairness by directing profits back to Indigenous Peoples, bridging gaps between globalized conceptions of science and traditional knowledge. It is estimated that this could lead to over 1 billion USD per year to support biodiversity and its stewards.
Throughout COP16 and its runup, The Rockefeller Foundation and its partners emphasized that scaling climate resilience and biodiversity conservation demands deep co-creation with frontline local communities who have managed these landscapes for generations.
Centering Indigenous voices is not only an ethical imperative but also a strategic necessity.
Indigenous practices provide regenerative, time-tested approaches to land stewardship that industrialized systems have frequently overlooked. Techniques like polyculture, agroforestry, and rotational agriculture not only support climate resilience but also play a vital role in combating biodiversity loss and preventing land degradation.
Following Indigenous Leadership
Well before COP16, we at The Rockefeller Foundation have been privileged to support Indigenous-led projects, creating a broad spectrum of benefits for people and planet.
For example, take Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson at the University of Arizona, a grantee of The Rockefeller Foundation. He is collaborating with Dr. Stephanie Russo Carroll, an expert in Indigenous governance and data sovereignty, on a project that is focused on revitalizing Native American agriculture by increasing the use of climate-resilient Indigenous crops.
A student at the Ruhi Arbab School in Puerto Tejada, Colombia. FUNDAEC is helping expose pupils to the benefits of regenerative farming, crop diversity, and good nutrition. (Photo Credit Masha Hamilton)
By prioritizing native species that thrive in local climates, these crops strengthen both community health and food security while mitigating risks posed by extreme climate events.
Similarly, our support of The Indigenous Partnership’s efforts to document and share evidence around Indigenous regenerative food systems makes these practices accessible to a wider audience and encourages their adoption in diverse ecosystems.
In addition, projects by the Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) in Colombia and Deep Medicine Circle in the U.S. have empowered Indigenous leadership at the intersection of human and planetary health.
For example, ACT’s work has supported local families to revitalize agroforestry systems that blend native trees and food crops, restoring degraded land while supporting food sovereignty, nutritional health, and biodiversity. Initiatives like these don’t just apply agroecological principles — they embed them within traditional ways of life that holistically support ecosystem and community health.
Our support of The Pawanka Fund’s work has advanced knowledge sharing from Indigenous regenerative food systems around the world from Fiji to Brazil to Nigeria. Our work with the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities has supported Indigenous foodways across the tropical belt.
These programs have shown that empowering local leaders fosters resilience, autonomy, and learning that is critical for scalable impact.
Building Coalitions That Center Indigenous Knowledge
The future of any nature-based solutions depends on collaborative networks that place the stewards of biodiversity at the center of global climate strategies.
While corporate commitments and capital are important, progress requires a paradigm shift that values ecosystems not just as commodities but as interconnected networks where frontline practices, culture, and peoples remain indispensable.
As we continue to face mounting climate and biodiversity challenges, The Rockefeller Foundation and its partners will support funding models that empower communities, giving them the resources to define their futures.
John de la Parra (far right) moderates a panel at COP16 2024.
By amplifying initiatives like FUNDAEC’s regenerative food systems in Colombia and the World Wildlife Fund’s focus on deep regenerative landscapes in Nepal, we are determined to realize a vision where deeply-regenerative, community-led conservation efforts are not merely supported, but also championed as models for global resilience.
COP16 provided a vital opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to elevating Indigenous voices. Together, through sustained investment and genuine co-creation, we can champion a regenerative future that protects our planet for generations to come.
