Policy and market governance
International Environmental Guardianship
Nature markets led by the communities closest to nature
IEG is a membership organisation of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities across seven socio-cultural regions. It is constituted by its members to promote ethical, equitable and sustainable stewardship of nature through participatory governance.
Observer accreditation, Convention on Biological Diversity
Héctor Jhony LópezFounding Member
Aleksei TsykarevEurope and Russian Federation Regional Chair
Vital BambanzeAfrica Regional Chair
Fernando LesamaFounding Member
Esther NetshivhongweniFounding Member
AJ BirdNorth America Regional Chair
Unified for
Mother Earth
7
socio-cultural regions represented
8
governance mechanisms in development
8B
hours for nature by 31 Dec 2030
Happening nowCOP17 · Yerevan · 19 to 30 October 2026
IEG delegation attending COP17
Collaborators planning to meet the IEG delegation in Yerevan are invited to connect ahead of the event.
Delegation contact
Hanieh Moghani
Press contact
David Hall
8 Billion Hour Pledge
8 billion
hours
One hour for every human supported by Mother Earth. The 8BH Pledge aims to mobilise 8 billion hours of verified work for nature by 31 December 2030, aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework 2030 Targets.
Founding story
Founded by Indigenous leaders from across the world
At COP16 in Cali, Colombia, Indigenous leaders reached consensus to form a new institution for community-led governance of nature markets, so that nature’s rights-holders are at the heart of new environmental markets. The Biodiversity Credit Alliance and the UN Development Programme platformed this work.
Nov 2024
IEG founded at COP16 Cali, Colombia
Jan 2025
Governance framework consensus
Oct 2025
8BH Pledge announced at G20
May 2026
Global Statutes adopted
Jun 2026
IEG Data Trust incorporated as a charitable trust
Next
IEG Membership & 8BHP Eligibility Standard ratified at COP17 Yerevan, Armenia
Mid 2027
Constitution signing in Aotearoa New Zealand
COP16, Cali, Colombia, 2024. Photo: N Whitaker
Governance
Eight mechanisms for unity in nature action
Transparency, accountability and inclusive participation across every level of the organisation.
01
IEG Data Trust
Charitable trust board in Aotearoa New Zealand, stewarding data under Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles.
Incorporated
02
Governance Assembly
Composed of the Regional Chairs, constituted to serve the membership.
Recruiting Arctic Rep
03
Founding Assembly
Developing IEG’s Constitution for ratification in 2027.
Invitation Only
04
General Assembly
The primary voice of the membership, with one vote per Member organisation.
Waitlist Open
05
Regional Hubs
The seven regional structures through which members engage.
Forming
06
General Secretariat
The operational body: membership intake, records and carrying out decisions.
Interim
07
Council
The integrity and standards body, responsible for digital governance and oversight of the Data Trust.
Open for Application
08
Ombudsperson
An independent route for resolving disputes and upholding the Member Code of Conduct.
Pending COP17
Regional Hubs
Seven socio-cultural regions
Regional Hubs coordinate member organisations within each region and align local action with IEG strategy.
News
Latest from IEG
Science, data and technologySatellites can see the canopy. They cannot see consent.
