Indigenous Peoples’ Right to Culture and Cultural Heritage in a Changing Climate in Africa

Abstract This article examines the adequacy of African Union ( AU ) law in protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples to culture and cultural heritage in the face of climate change. Indigenous communities across Africa are disproportionately affected by climate impacts, threatening their unique cultures, traditional practices and knowledge systems. The research analyses AU legal frameworks, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and recent climate policy documents, to assess their effectiveness in safeguarding Indigenous cultural rights. The study reveals a lack of dedicated instruments explicitly addressing climate change impacts on Indigenous cultures. However, evolving climate strategies show increasing recognition of Indigenous vulnerabilities and the value of traditional knowledge in adaptation efforts. The study concludes that there is an urgent necessity for more comprehensive, targeted legal safeguards and involvement of Indigenous perspectives in climate action to preserve their cultural heritage. This analysis contributes to discussions on Indigenous rights, climate justice and environmental governance in Africa, offering insights for policymakers, legal practitioners and Indigenous communities.