3D Seminar: From promise to practice: Assessing global carbon markets

Moderated by our partner GIGA, this Digital Development Dialogue (3D) seminar explores the gap between the promises and realities of global carbon markets, focusing in particular on REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) projects within the voluntary carbon market. While nature-based solutions, particularly conservation projects under REDD+, constitute a significant share of carbon credits, their effectiveness and social impact have been widely debated. The panelists will discuss the difficulties in establishing accurate counterfactuals for REDD+ projects and past errors that have led to a significant overestimation of actual emission avoidance. The seminar will also address the evolving discourse on the integrity crisis of the voluntary carbon markets. Aside from methodological challenges, the panelists will present insights into challenges such as inadequate benefit-sharing mechanisms, lack of community consent, and how these issues continue to persist also in newer projects. The discussion aims to critically assess the climate and socio-economic impacts of the voluntary carbon market and explore necessary reforms to improve its effectiveness and socioeconomic outcomes.

Panelists: Prof Jan Börner, University of Bonn, and Dr Raymond Achu Samndong, The Tenure Facility

Moderator: Dr Christoph Kubitza, GIGA

About the 3D Seminar

The 3D seminar is a 45-minute online forum for policy and research exchange. Two speakers – one researcher and one practitioner – touch upon key topics in development policy with the goal of stimulating a meaningful dialogue across the theory & practice divide. We look forward to engaging with you in a dialogue!

Find out more here.