Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.
A collaborative initiative that will assist users to incorporate Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Indigenous values and culturally significant assets into an Environmental Account anywhere in the world.
Traditional Knowledge, community insights, and cultural values.
At Accounting for Nature, we believe in the power of communities and culture to shape our understanding of the environment and drive sustainable practices. We strive to bridge the gap between environmental accounting principles and environmental stewardship by integrating cultural perspectives into the way we value nature.
Accounting for Nature is helping to redefine how we perceive and account for the natural world. We recognise that cultural attitudes and beliefs play a significant role in shaping our interactions with the environment. By acknowledging and incorporating diverse cultural perspectives, we aim to develop more holistic and effective strategies for measuring the state of nature.
Why it matters.
Nature and culture are inseparable - culture influences how we perceive, value, and interact with nature. Traditional Knowledge systems, Indigenous practices, and cultural beliefs offer unique insights into our relationship with nature. By considering cultural perspectives, we can enrich our understanding of ecosystems, identify innovative solutions to environmental management, and foster greater respect for biodiversity.
Our approach.
At Accounting for Nature, we are exploring how to embrace a multidisciplinary approach that integrates cultural, ecological, and economic perspectives. By collaborating with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, cultural experts, scientists, and policymakers, we strive to develop inclusive and equitable environmental accounting IPLC guidelines as part of our Framework.
As we embark on this journey, we remain open to learning and adaptation. We recognise that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to cultural inclusion and that our understanding will continue to evolve over time.
Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) strategy.
We are developing an IPLC strategy to foster meaningful engagement with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities and to ensure the ethical integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into environmental accounting. This strategy is being designed in alignment with global best practices, including Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and international standards for Indigenous data sovereignty and benefit-sharing. Our goal is to ensure that IPLC contributions are acknowledged and valued while upholding Indigenous rights, governance frameworks, and self-determination.
Our approach prioritises culturally appropriate, transparent, and inclusive pathways for integrating IPLC perspectives into environmental accounts. Through deep partnerships, we are co-designing mechanisms that respect Indigenous governance structures, uphold self-determination, and foster equitable recognition of cultural and ecological values. We are also working to ensure that IPLCs have full agency over how their knowledge and data are used, aligning with frameworks such as the FAIR and CARE principles for Indigenous data governance. These guiding principles shape our ongoing efforts to ensure the Accounting for Nature® Framework authentically reflects and supports the knowledge systems, priorities, and aspirations of IPLC groups globally.
We acknowledge that this is an evolving process, and we are committed to continuous learning and adaptation. If you’d like to help guide us through this important initiative or have questions, please get, please get in touch with us.
What does IPLC mean?
At Accounting for Nature, we recognise the importance of clarity and sensitivity in defining IPLC in the context of our work. We acknowledge that definitions may vary based on regional, cultural, and legal contexts, and our approach is guided by respect for the rights, autonomy, and knowledge systems of the First Peoples of the land. Our working definition has been developed in consultation with international IPLC experts to ensure it is appropriate and in line with current, best practice principles.
Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are recognised as the First Peoples of a region, having lived on and stewarded their lands long before colonisation or settlement by others. Their identity is often tied to their historical connection to the land, distinct cultural traditions, governance systems, and languages. In different regions, the recognition and rights of Indigenous Peoples may vary, requiring careful engagement that respects self-identification and sovereignty.
Local Communities
Local Communities (LCs) refer to groups of people living in a distinct geographical area, either with long-standing historical presence or as newer inhabitants. These communities may hold rights, responsibilities, and deep cultural ties to their environment but do not necessarily identify as Indigenous. In some regions, communities may choose not to identify as Indigenous due to social, political, or legal sensitivities, particularly where Indigenous status has been associated with marginalisation.
Sensitivities in terminology
We recognise that the term IPLC carries different implications across regions. It is our priority to ensure that our engagement does not inadvertently undermine the rights of Indigenous Peoples or Local Communities. We strive to assess and respect the unique regional sensitivities around these definitions and adopt language that aligns with both global best practices and local preferences. Across all our projects, we are dedicated to building trust, ensuring transparency, and promoting inclusion. We are committed to upholding the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), ensuring that our strategies respect and strengthen—rather than compromise—the rights of the communities we work with.
Interim guidance.
Whilst we continue to develop and strengthen our approach through collaboration and partnership, the Accounting for Nature® Framework currently provides two pathways that enable Account Holders to incorporate Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Indigenous values and culturally significant assets into an Environmental Account:
Utilising the existing Accredited Method pathway to formally connect Traditional Knowledge, cultural practices and values to ecological scores.
An optional pathway for Account Holders to disclose Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and cultural insights alongside an Environmental Account through the Technical Report.
If you would like to learn more, please get in touch with us.
Current projects and opportunities.
Australia.
In 2024, Accounting for Nature received a Capacity Building Grant under the Australian Government’s Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the National Heritage Trust, aimed at enhancing sustainable agricultural practices across Australia. This initiative is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to supporting climate-smart farming and boosting the resilience of Australian farmers, Indigenous communities, and land managers.
The grant, which will run over the next four years, will enable Accounting for Nature to implement a comprehensive national Accredited Training Program designed to increase the capacity of regional professionals, landholders and First Nations People to develop environmental accounts under the trusted Accounting for Nature® Framework.
A central aim of the project is to integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge and cultural values directly into environmental accounting practices, in close partnership with First Nations People, enhancing the connectivity of regional and First Nations communities to support farmers and landholders in adopting holistic, sustainable land management practices. By fostering both Traditional Owner Knowledge and skills development, the project promotes climate-smart agriculture, Indigenous wisdom and robust scientific methods to create resilient and inclusive pathways for sustainable agriculture across Australia.
If you would like to work with us on an existing or planned Environmental Account, or related opportunity, please get in touch with us. Learn more about this grant opportunity.
Global.
We are currently investigating international opportunities to further develop and refine our IPLC guidance.
If you would like to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, please get in touch with us.
Collaborators.
Accounting for Nature is an Australian not-for-profit organisation with headquarters in Meanjin (Brisbane). We acknowledge the Jagera and Turrbal people as the Traditional Custodians of this land. We also acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Straight Island peoples today.
We also acknowledge the diverse and invaluable contributions of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities worldwide, we affirm our commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment that recognises Indigenous and community heritage, knowledge, and traditional practices in stewarding our natural environment. We seek to find solutions that draw on and support Indigenous ecological knowledge and local practices that promote the health and well-being of people and the environment.