Strengthening Land Tenure and Community-Driven Conservation

The session focused on the relationship between land tenure security and community-driven conservation as vital elements in the fight against climate change. The initial presentation reviewed the state of evidence on nature-based interventions, emphasizing their role in climate resilience and mitigation. A key topic was the significance of secure local and Indigenous land tenure for sustainable environmental management, underlining how community control over resources fosters long-term conservation. A case study from South America highlighted the effects of varying degrees of local and Indigenous land tenure on forest cover, demonstrating that stronger tenure rights correlate with reduced deforestation and improved ecosystem preservation. The session also examined Brazil's Bolsa Verde program, sharing insights into its impacts on environmental conservation and policy-making, with lessons applicable to broader contexts. An open round table discussion followed, allowing participants to engage with these themes, reflecting on best practices and challenges in integrating land tenure security with conservation efforts. The session underscored the importance of empowering local communities through secure land rights, emphasizing that effective climate action requires inclusive, tenure-sensitive approaches that leverage local knowledge and stewardship.


This resource has been made available by the organizers of the World Bank Land Conference under the following disclaimer.