Green Gold or Green Colonialism? The Double-Edged Sword of Carbon Credits in Africa

Carbon credits in Africa offer economic and environmental potential but also risk deepening inequalities through land displacement and marginalization, raising critical questions about climate justice.

Carbon credits have emerged as a controversial yet promising tool in the global fight against climate change. In Africa, with its vast natural resources and biodiverse landscapes, carbon credit projects offer the potential to generate significant revenue while promoting environmental conservation. However, these projects often come at a steep cost, raising concerns about equity, justice, and their true intentions.

Issues such as land displacement and the marginalization of Indigenous communities highlight how the carbon credit market in Africa risks perpetuating historical injustices under the guise of sustainability. This article examines the complex dynamics of carbon credits in Africa, analyzing their potential benefits, the risks they pose to communities and ecosystems, and their broader implications for global climate justice.

The Promise of Carbon Credits

Carbon credits are designed to incentivize emissions reductions by allowing companies and governments to offset their carbon footprints through investments in projects that reduce or capture greenhouse gases. In Africa, these projects often focus on forest conservation, reforestation, and sustainable land management. Proponents argue that carbon credits can provide crucial funding for conservation efforts, create jobs, and boost local economies.

For instance, Kenya’s Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) has engaged in carbon offset initiatives to protect wildlife and restore degraded lands. Likewise, Tanzania’s vast rangelands and forests have attracted international investors eager to capitalize on carbon sequestration opportunities.

The Dark Side of Carbon Credits

Despite their potential, carbon credit projects in Africa have been marred by controversy, with land displacement being one of the most pressing issues. Indigenous communities, such as the Maasai in Tanzania and pastoralists in Kenya, have been forcibly removed from their ancestral lands to make way for conservation projects. These displacements often occur without adequate consultation, compensation, or consent, violating the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) outlined in international agreements.

A recent court ruling in Kenya against the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) on January 29, 2025, highlights the legal and ethical challenges surrounding carbon credit projects. The court declared the establishment of conservancies in Isiolo County unconstitutional, citing a lack of public participation and the disregard for community land rights. This ruling underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in carbon project governance.

Green Colonialism: A New Form of Exploitation?

Critics argue that carbon credits in Africa risk perpetuating "green colonialism," where developed countries and multinational corporations exploit the continent’s natural resources to offset their emissions. This approach allows polluters to continue business as usual while shifting the burden of emissions reductions onto African nations and communities.

The East Africa Carbon Market Community Land Summit in 2024 brought these concerns to the forefront, as Indigenous leaders and grassroots organizations called for fairer carbon trading practices. They emphasized the need for equitable benefit-sharing, clear land tenure, and genuine community involvement in decision-making.

Environmental Injustices and Inequities

The carbon credit market has also been criticized for deepening inequalities. Local communities often receive only a fraction of the revenue generated by carbon projects, while most profits flow to international investors and intermediaries. This imbalance raises serious concerns about the fairness of the carbon market.

Moreover, relying on carbon credits as a climate solution may discourage companies and governments from taking direct action to reduce emissions. This "offsetting" mentality risks undermining global efforts to achieve meaningful emissions reductions.

Conclusion

Carbon credits in Africa represent both an opportunity and a challenge. While they can drive conservation and generate revenue, they also pose significant risks to communities and ecosystems. The recent court ruling in Kenya and the ongoing struggles of Indigenous communities highlight the urgent need for a more just and equitable approach to carbon trading.

As the world grapples with the climate crisis, it is crucial to ensure that proposed solutions do not come at the expense of the most vulnerable. Only by addressing the root causes of environmental injustices can we build a truly sustainable and equitable future.

Edited by Carlos Collado