Indigenous‐Led Nature‐Based Solutions Align Net‐Zero Emissions and Biodiversity Targets in Canada

Abstract Indigenous‐led Nature‐based Solutions (“Indigenous‐led NbS”), such as Indigenous Protected Conserved Areas and Indigenous Guardians programs, may represent a unique opportunity to advance climate and biodiversity targets grounded in Indigenous self‐determination. Previous studies have comprehensively explored the scope and potential environmental outcomes of Indigenous‐led NbS. Here, we build on this literature to assess how government support for Indigenous‐led NbS influences climate and biodiversity outcomes. Specifically, we estimate the contribution of Indigenous‐led NbS funded by the federal Government of Canada in conserving carbon stocks and biodiversity across terrestrial ecosystems. Using geospatial analysis and quasi‐experimental methods, our results indicate that Indigenous‐led NbS are as effective as existing Protected Areas in terms of climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. Moreover, our results demonstrate that government funding for Indigenous‐led NbS is associated with moderate yet significant avoided land use emissions relative to Protected Areas. Based on topic‐modeling applied to Indigenous‐led NbS descriptions, climate and biodiversity outcomes emerge from holistic approaches to governance, intergenerational knowledge exchange, and climate‐biodiversity action. Thus, government funding to Indigenous‐led NbS may align biodiversity and climate outcomes with some aspects of Indigenous self‐determination. The long‐term alignment of these outcomes will require extended and sustained funding as well as full recognition of the rights of Indigenous Peoples.