Efforts to monitor nature-based climate mitigation in the Global South, funded by carbon markets, reveal diverse goals and models. Carbon credit objectives range from private portfolio diversification to poverty-focused community initiatives and national revenue generation. Production models vary, from conservation with limited jobs to labor-intensive reforestation, resulting in impacts like job creation and infrastructure or, conversely, community displacement. For carbon markets to benefit the planet, profit, and people, strategies must exclude high-risk projects and enhance community benefits. Stronger safeguards in global frameworks like private offset standards and the Paris Agreement are essential. National legislation and project screening should prioritize initiatives supporting livelihoods and securing land rights. Effective governance and robust grievance mechanisms are key to long-term accountability, preventing harm and ensuring benefits for communities. 

Join TMG Research and Land Matrix to:

1) Explore strategies to establish and reinforce safeguards within global carbon market frameworks to prevent the entry of high-risk projects that may threaten human rights and local livelihoods. This includes examining the role of carbon offset standards and effective grievance mechanisms to ensure that climate mitigation projects uphold principles of equity, secure tenure, and community participation. Learning lessons will be provided using the example of the digital land rights reporting tool Haki Ardhi. 

2) Assess national policies to identify best practices that align carbon market projects with local development goals. The discussion will draw on recent data campaigns that surveyed carbon offset projects based on land acquisition modes. Participants will discuss strategic approaches to land governance and policy screening processes that prioritize inclusive carbon offset projects that support climate goals while also benefiting affected communities. The discussion will flag current high-risk approaches as well as national laws that foster local benefits and ownership. 

Panelists include:

• Christoph Kubitza

  - Research Fellow, German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA)

• Jes Weigelt

  - Managing Director, TMG Research

• Violet Shivutse

  - Founder and Coordinator, Shibuye Community Health Workers

• Ramesh Sharma

  - General Secretary, Ekta Parishad

• Raymond Samndong

  - Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Reporting Manager, The Tenure Facility

This session was generously funded by Germany's Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development