Joan Carling

Joan Carling

A smiling older woman with short gray hair, wearing a white embroidered top, beaded necklace, and spiral earrings, is seen outdoors with blurred greenery in the background.

Joan Carling is a Filipino Indigenous leader and longtime advocate for the rights of Indigenous Peoples. For more than three decades, she has worked at both the community and international levels, championing human rights, climate justice, sustainable development, and the protection of ancestral lands. Today, she remains a leading voice for Indigenous communities across the Philippines, Asia, and around the world,

A collage shows an aerial view of a green planet above images of Indigenous people, some in traditional attire, participating in a gathering or march.
10mins
At COP30, Indigenous leaders came with a message the world can’t ignore: 5% of the global population is safeguarding 80% of Earth’s biodiversity. A $1.8B pledge was made to support their land rights — but will the money follow their lead?
Skoll Foundation