PARTICIPATION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN CLIMATE POLICY. AN ETHNOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILEAN EXPERIENCE

Indigenous Peoples gain prominence in global climate change debates. Nevertheless, their involvement in national climate governance remains marginal. This article analyses the consideration of Indigenous Peoples' participation in the Chilean climate governance through an ethnography of the state conducted between 2017 and 2020. A documentary review of national climate policy between 1995 and 2020, participant observation and 41 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The findings show that, although recent progress, Indigenous Peoples' participation does not meet the standards of intercultural participation. Nor are there mechanisms in place to enable collaboration and to position Indigenous Peoples as agents in the face of climate change. The Chilean case illustrates the type of recognition given to Indigenous Peoples in international climate policy, and therefore its analysis allows for the identification of barriers to effective collaboration. As long as these barriers remain unaddressed, an increase in Indigenous Peoples' vulnerability is at risk. We also lose the opportunity to promote the institutional transformation processes necessary to respond to climate change. More efforts are needed at the national level to enhance Indigenous Peoples' participation in the UNFCCC.