For the planet, and people? Reducing risks in land-intensive climate mitigation investments

Taking place at the World Bank Land Conference on 5 May 2025 at 4:00 PM-5:30 PM (ET), this session - moderated by our partners at GIGA - will investigate ways to reduce the risks associated with land-intensive climate mitigation investments.

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.

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
• Washe Kazungu - Country Project Manager / Research Associate, TMG Research gGmbH

For more information, click here. The opening event can be livestreamed here.