How will we know when local communities benefit from carbon offset schemes? (commentary)

How will we know when local communities benefit from carbon offset schemes? (commentary)

By Beth Allgood/John Waugh/Craig A. Talmage/Laura Musikanski/Dehara Weeraman on 5 January 2024 Carbon credit schemes face a crisis of legitimacy and often struggle to demonstrate the support of communities who must forgo land uses not compatible with the production and retention of carbon. At the very least, such projects should not negatively impact affected communities, but community support is also not a simple matter of just obtaining free prior and informed […]

January 9, 2024 11

Environment

Do carbon credits really help communities that keep forests standing?

By John Cannon via Mongabay Communities play a critical role in REDD+, a forest conservation strategy that aims to reduce emissions that can be sold as credits to raise money for forest protection. REDD+ projects often include components for the benefit of the communities, such as a focus on alternative livelihoods and provision of health care and education. But reports that REDD+ communities have faced abuses and rights violations have emerged […]

January 9, 2024 16

Africa

Climate action for Africa in 2023: three big developments

By Nicholas P. Simpson, Overseas Development Institute 2023 is highly likely to be the hottest year ever recorded. And climate change is to blame for one-quarter of the global population being exposed to dangerous levels of extreme heat. We need signs that countries are taking steps to address this. Specifically, we need climate action that helps us adapt and that cuts greenhouse gas emissions, if we want to minimise the […]

November 30, 2023 5