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After two intense weeks in Glasgow, Scotland, Indigenous leaders attending the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference are finally returning home. Indigenous communities went to COP with a clear set of demands. But they leave with a few symbolically significant, yet vague commitments.

Although encouraged by unprecedented visibility of Indigenous peoples at COP26, Jennifer 'Jing' Corpuz, a Kankana-ey Igorot attorney from the Philippines and Managing Director of Policy at Nia Tero, warns that weak language on rights could put communities' ties to land and sea at risk, specifically as it relates to a new carbon market plan.

The Glasgow Climate Pact is a step forward, researchers say, but efforts to decarbonize are not enough to limit global temperature rises to two degrees Celsius.

"If you're looking for an ordinary thing that could have an extraordinary impact, it would be protecting these biodiversity protectors." - Tom Friedman

"We're losing a battle we can win, but only by keeping trees on our side." - John Reid, Nia Tero Senior Economist and Partnership Lead

UK, Norway, Germany, US, and the Netherlands, and 17 funders pledged to support Indigenous Peoples, local communities at COP26, citing their proven role in preventing deforestation that fuels climate change. Donors also committed to delivering funding directly to communities and promised them a role in 'decision-making and design' of climate programs and finance instruments