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The Role of

Traditional Knowledge Management Systems

Traditional knowledge provides empirical, place-based evidence that can complement and add clarity to scientific assessments, research, decision-making and reporting processes. Such a multiple evidence-based approach is already encouraged by the Convention on Biological Diversity in its monitoring of the Aichi Targets, and the Inter-governmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the biodiversity equivalent to the IPCC, is developing procedures for working with indigenous and local knowledge.

Traditional Knowledge Management Systems

Mountain communities sustain traditional knowledge systems, genetic diversity and ecosystem services that are important for adaptation. The IPCC’s 5th report recognizes that “indigenous, local and traditional knowledge systems and practices, including indigenous peoples’ cosmology, are a key resource for effective adaptation”. [1] The UNFCCC COP21 Paris Agreement recognizes the role of traditional knowledge in developing effective adaptation responses: “Parties acknowledge that adaptation action should follow a country-driven, gender-responsive, participatory and fully transparent approach, taking into consideration vulnerable groups, communities and ecosystems, and should be based on and guided by the best available science and, as appropriate, traditional knowledge, knowledge of indigenous peoples and local knowledge systems”. [2]

Despite the resilience demonstrated by traditional resource management systems, indigenous peoples tend to be removed from research, policymaking and planning processes for climate change adaptation. The absence of local participation and bottom-up planning processes presents the risk that climate change adaptation policies will be misaligned with local needs, environments and micro-politics and result in inappropriate decision-making.

The characteristics of mountain agro-ecosystems require place-based adaptation approaches that integrate mountain-specific strategies, research and knowledge, use participatory techniques and link traditional knowledge and science. INMIP seeks to address these challenges through knowledge exchange and walking workshops that provide place-based evidence to inform decision making, while strengthening the adaptive capacity of mountain communities and spreading effective tools. International network building is an important tool to enable mountain communities to sustain traditional knowledge systems that support genetic diversity and ecological resilience.

[1] UNFCCC (2015). Adoption of the Paris Agreement. Conference of the Parties, Twenty-first session, Paris, 30 November to 11 December 2015. https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2015/cop21/eng/l09r01.pdf

[2] IPCC (2014) Fifth Assessment Report, Working Group II “Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability: Part A Global and Sectoral Aspects”, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. http://ipcc-wg2.gov/AR5/images/uploads/WGIIAR5-PartA_FINAL.pdf