FUTURE CLIMATE
Indigenous knowledge futures
Protecting and promoting Indigenous knowledge through benefit-sharing agreements , biocultural protocols , and access
Research project
Indigenous biodiversity-related knowledge is subject to misappropriation , theft and biopiracy by non-Indigenous peoples and companies through commercial processes and dubious intellectual property rights claims .
This project implements The Nagoya Protocol to the Convention on Biodiversity ( CBD ), which encourages the creation of biocultural community protocols and the use of ‘ access and benefit sharing ’ ( ABS ) agreements .
This project works with communities in Australia , Vanuatu , and the Cook Islands to understand and codify customary law and practices into protocols . The team also provides expertise on ABS ( including template agreements ) and advises governments on policy and legislation reforms .
> Knowledge from this project contributed to supporting the redrafting of Queensland ' s Biodiscovery Legislation .
> Communities in Vanuatu and the Cook Islands are finalising biocultural protocols with future legal standing under national laws and policies .
> Indigenous organisations and businesses in Australia are receiving forward-thinking technical and policy advice on ensuring Indigenous knowledge protection .
The team has worked with more than 50 Indigenous and non-Indigenous organisations , businesses and communities , academics , and governments across Australia , the Pacific and internationally . It delivers support and advice on biodiversity policies and legislation , establishing community protocols , access and benefit arrangements , and policies and procedures related to intellectual property rights and permits .
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