While we sit and soak up the scale of disaster we’ve faced in the UNFCCC carbon market negotiations, I have come across this letter (“Don’t overlook the role of the carbon credits market”, Letters, December 1) which feels off.
Set against the backdrop of a growing number of reports that Africa is being bought up from under our feet by carbon market players, another narrative is emerging that suggests our development depends upon carbon credits (“The looming land grab in Africa for carbon credits”, The Big Read, December 6).
But it’s not being led by Africans, it’s being led by businesses in the global north that want to use carbon credits to keep polluting. These are the same businesses that aren’t stepping up to the challenge and putting emissions reductions first, a proceed that COP28 is at risk of exacerbating.
Those representing the voluntary carbon market have come out in force at COP28. Meanwhile, we’re watching the rules under the UNFCCC that were supposed to furnish an ethical framework to carbon markets fall apart. It’s all signalling one thing very clearly — the cowboys are going to come knocking on Africa’s door in force sooner rather than later, and their PR campaigns will claim it’s in our best interest. But Africa is not a tool as part of a diversion tactic.
Carbon markets are not the solution to a very real finance problem. Developed countries need to stop looking for ways to dodge their responsibilities and instead actually deliver on their financing promises.
Mohamed Adow
Founder and Director, Power Shift Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
