Indigenous leaders take center stage at event on funding sustainability projects – UC Santa Cruz – News

Report on the Economic Futures Summit: Integrating Indigenous Leadership for Sustainable Development Goals

Summit Overview and Alignment with Global Goals

The inaugural Economic Futures Summit convened over 300 investors, academics, and policymakers to integrate Indigenous perspectives into the development and financing of sustainability solutions. Supported by the UC Santa Cruz Center for Coastal Climate Resilience (CCCR), the summit focused on advancing climate action and building a sustainable economy, directly addressing several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The event’s structure was designed to foster collaboration and mutual learning between Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders, a critical component of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By centering Indigenous ideas of economics, finance, and environmental stewardship, the summit aimed to reduce systemic disadvantages and empower marginalized communities, in line with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Addressing Financial Barriers to Advance Climate Action and Economic Growth

A significant challenge discussed was the delay in federal grant disbursement to Indigenous-led climate nonprofits, which impedes progress on SDG 13 (Climate Action) and hinders sustainable economic development aligned with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Presenters highlighted innovative financial models designed to overcome these barriers.

• Forest & Water Renewal Revolving Loan Fund: Developed by the nonprofit Coalitions & Collaboratives, this fund provides below-market-rate bridge loans to organizations awaiting federal grants. This mechanism lowers financial barriers for time-sensitive climate resilience and wildfire management work.
• Blue Forest Conservation Finance: This nonprofit connects capital to sustainable land management projects that protect forests and watersheds, contributing to SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). Its Indigenous Partnerships program actively supports tribal leadership in land management and facilitates access to capital.

Restoring Land Rights to Promote Ecological Integrity and Justice

The summit acknowledged historical injustices against Indigenous peoples and highlighted recent progress in restoring land rights, a key step toward achieving SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The California Natural Resources Agency reported on major milestones under the current state administration.

Recent examples of returning colonized land to tribal stewardship include:

1. The Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel regained over 1,000 acres of their homeland.
2. The Tule River Indian Tribe received back over 17,000 acres of ancestral land.

These tribes intend to apply traditional management practices to restore native ecology and protect endangered species, demonstrating a direct pathway to achieving the targets within SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Strategic Pathways and Future Outlook

Discussions at the summit were organized around four key pathways for action, providing a framework for translating Indigenous economic visions into tangible outcomes that support the SDGs.

• A tool for bringing sustainable ideas to market, fostering innovation in line with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).
• A framework for supporting the backbone of Indigenous economies, promoting inclusive and sustainable growth as outlined in SDG 8.
• Priorities for building Indigenous leadership and capacity, strengthening institutions as per SDG 16.
• Core concepts of Indigenous economic visions, encouraging new partnerships to achieve the global goals under SDG 17.

The summit underscored that investment in Indigenous-led climate solutions is essential for connecting research to action and advancing global climate resilience efforts.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights several issues that connect directly to a range of Sustainable Development Goals. The analysis identifies the following SDGs as relevant:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The focus on building Indigenous economic capacity and creating financial tools like loan funds to support Indigenous-led organizations relates to promoting sustainable economic growth.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The core theme of empowering Indigenous communities, restoring their land rights, and ensuring their inclusion in economic and environmental decision-making directly addresses the goal of reducing inequalities.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – The article is framed around a summit on building a sustainable economy “in the face of climate change,” with specific mentions of climate resilience, wildfire management, and Indigenous-led climate solutions.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – The discussion on the restoration and protection of forests and watersheds, sustainable land management, reviving native ecology, and protecting endangered species aligns with this goal.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The article touches upon rectifying historical injustices through formal apologies and executive orders, and promoting inclusive and participatory decision-making by ensuring Indigenous peoples are consulted and lead projects.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The summit itself, which brought together “investors, academics, and policymakers” with Indigenous leaders, and the collaborative financial models described, exemplify the multi-stakeholder partnerships needed to achieve the SDGs.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
   • Explanation: The article describes the “Forest & Water Renewal Revolving Loan Fund,” which provides “below-market-rate bridge loans to organizations waiting on the disbursement of their federal grants.” This is a direct example of improving access to financial services for non-profit organizations to support their environmental programming.
2. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… origin… or other status.
   • Explanation: The summit was organized to “create a space for meaningful connections and mutual learning for Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders,” with a focus on “building Indigenous leadership and capacity.” This directly supports the goal of empowering and including Indigenous peoples in economic and sustainability discussions.
3. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory… policies and practices…
   • Explanation: The article highlights California’s actions to “formally acknowledge its historical wrongs,” including Governor Newsom’s executive order serving as a “formal apology,” and the return of “colonized land to tribes.” These actions aim to reverse the outcomes of past discriminatory practices.
4. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Explanation: The summit was supported by the UC Santa Cruz Center for Coastal Climate Resilience and focused on finding “sustainability solutions… in the face of climate change.” The article also mentions the “time sensitivity of climate resilience and wildfire management work,” positioning Indigenous-led solutions as key to strengthening this capacity.
5. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests…
   • Explanation: Blue Forest’s mission is described as connecting “capital to sustainable land management,” focusing on the “restoration and protection of forests and watersheds.” The tribes who regained their land also plan to “revive their management practices” to “restore native ecology.”
6. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and… protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
   • Explanation: The article explicitly states that the tribes that have had land returned to them “plan to reinvigorate their long-standing relationship with the land… with a goal of protecting endangered species.”
7. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
   • Explanation: The article emphasizes that Saraya Hamidi’s focus is “ensuring Indigenous people are consulted, or better yet, are leading land management projects.” The entire summit is an exercise in promoting participatory decision-making by centering “Indigenous ideas of economics, finance, and our relationship with nature.”
8. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…
   • Explanation: The summit itself is a partnership between academia (UC Santa Cruz), Indigenous leaders, investors, and policymakers. Furthermore, the work of Coalitions & Collaboratives, which uses a “combination of grants and private foundation program-related investments” to provide loans, is a clear example of a civil society and private sector partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 8.3: The number of organizations receiving financial support and the value of loans disbursed. The article mentions the “Forest & Water Renewal Revolving Loan Fund” which provides “below-market-rate bridge loans.” Progress could be measured by tracking the number of Indigenous-led organizations that receive these loans.
• Indicator for Target 10.2: The level of participation of Indigenous peoples in decision-making forums. The summit itself, which drew “over 300 attendees” to hear from “leaders in Indigenous on-the-ground solutions,” serves as an indicator of increased inclusion.
• Indicator for Target 10.3: The amount of land returned to Indigenous communities. The article provides specific figures, such as the “Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel regained over 1,000 acres” and the “Tule River Indian Tribe were given back over 17,000 acres.” This is a direct, measurable indicator of progress.
• Indicator for Target 13.1 & 15.1: The amount of funding allocated to and the number of projects focused on Indigenous-led climate resilience and land management. The article mentions the “California Wildfire Innovation Fund” supporting “tribal forest technology development” and Blue Forest’s work to “connect capital to sustainable land management.” Tracking the capital flow and project count would be a key indicator.
• Indicator for Target 15.5: The status of endangered species in areas under Indigenous management. The article notes the tribes’ goal of “protecting endangered species.” Progress could be measured by monitoring the populations of these species on the restored lands.
• Indicator for Target 16.7: The number of projects or policies where Indigenous communities have leadership roles. The article’s emphasis on Indigenous peoples “leading land management projects” implies that tracking the shift from consultation to leadership is a key measure of success.
• Indicator for Target 17.17: The number and type of multi-stakeholder partnerships established. The summit, involving “investors, academics, and policymakers” with Indigenous leaders, is one such partnership. The financial models described, combining grants and private investments, are another.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news.ucsc.edu