Data story: Africa's carbon deals and the hidden tenure challenge

2023 was seen as a turning point for voluntary carbon markets and their role in addressing climate change and deforestation. While forest carbon projects are praised for funding forest protection and climate mitigation, critics warn they often incentivize over-crediting and allow major emitters to outsource their climate obligations, often at the expense of local communities. This debate intensified ahead of COP28, as large-scale carbon offset projects in Sub-Saharan Africa raised concerns about evictions, loss of livelihoods, and violations of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) rights.

Our latest data story dives into the intersection of climate change mitigation and land tenure. Focusing on case studies from East and West Africa, it reveals how inclusive, people-centered land governance systems can help manage the challenges posed by carbon offset projects. By addressing tenure security and prioritizing community participation, we demonstrate how effective land governance can balance the urgent need for climate action with the rights and livelihoods of affected communities.

Read the data story: https://landportal.org/data-story/carbon-deals-africa

Data stories reflect on key issues about land rights and governance, presenting data in innovative ways using photos, maps, infographics and other visual elements. They take readers through a narrative that shows the context behind the data.

This data story has been developed with the support of the Land Data Partnership, a group effort funded by the European Commission and implemented by the International Land Coalition, the Land Portal Foundation, the Land Matrix Initiative, and Prindex to improve the complementarity of global land data initiatives and to identify opportunities to hold key actors responsible.

Authors: Anne Hennings and Luis Baquero
Published: 2025
Source: Land Portal