Carbon Markets, Forests and Rights: An introductory series for indigenous peoples and communities

For decades, indigenous peoples and their representatives have demanded that all policies, funding and initiatives aimed at addressing the climate crisis must respect and protect their rights, cultures, livelihoods and knowledge. They have insisted on being treated as central actors – and as rights holders – in the design and implementation of climate solutions.

One proposed climate solution, which has rapidly been gaining attention in climate discussions at all levels is ‘carbon markets’.

Many indigenous peoples and communities are already confronted by carbon market developments in their territories and are expressing that they need more information on this topic to understand what these markets might mean for them. The technical and complex language that is often used in discussions around these markets is not helping. This short series of ‘explainers’ is a first step in responding to the demand from communities for clearer information. The explainers focus specifically on the link between carbon markets, forests and indigenous peoples’ rights.

Purpose of these Explainers

The goal of these explainers is to support indigenous peoples and communities to make informed decisions in relation to carbon markets.

They explain key terms and ‘carbon market jargon’, introducing what carbon markets are and how they function. They also set out some of the key concerns around carbon markets and introduce the potential benefits and, especially, risks that these markets can entail for indigenous peoples and communities.

Read the explainers in French, Spanish, Bahasa and Portuguese 

The explainers are intended as an introduction and are not a complete guide to carbon markets. Since the information that communities have access to about carbon markets is often provided by actors who are proposing carbon credit projects or programmes in their lands or territories (such as NGOs, companies or the government in their country), communities may hear more about potential benefits than about potential risks.

To balance this, these explainers put more emphasis on the potential risks, and critiques, of carbon markets. They also highlight some of the important questions that your people and community may want to think through in relation to carbon markets. However, these explainers do not aim to tell your people and community how they should respond to carbon markets. That is a decision for you as a collective to make.

Finally, while focusing specifically on indigenous peoples (as they self-define) and their rights as protected in international human rights law, the explainers will hopefully also be of interest and use to other peoples and communities that do not identify as indigenous, but who hold lands collectively and in accordance with their customary tenure systems and laws.

Structure

These explainers do not have to be read in the order they appear. If you as a reader are interested in understanding what carbon markets can mean for your community, rather than delving into the details of carbon cycles and carbon credits, you can jump straight to Explainer 3.

To download all of the explainers in one document: 

• Carbon Markets, Forests and Rights: Spreads 
• Carbon Markets, Forests and Rights: Web version

If you'd rather download and share each section separately, click on the links below. 

Background and Introduction 

Explainer 1 introduces key concepts that are essential background to understanding carbon markets. It introduces what climate change is, what the carbon cycle and carbon dioxide is, and the link between carbon dioxide, forests and climate change. 

Explainer 2 outlines what carbon markets and carbon credits are, and provides a brief introduction to why these markets are developing and how they function

Explainer 3 focuses on indigenous peoples' rights and carbon markets. It highlights some of the particular risks that carbon markets pose to indigenous peoples and communities. It also highlights key questions communities should ask themselves as they consider how to engage with or respond to carbon markets

Explainer 4 provides an overview of the key environmental critiques and concerns around carbon markets

Explainer 5 provides a short introduction to ART-TREES. ART-TRESS is an institution and standard that is involved in 'certifying' carbon credits and that is gaining a lot of attention internationally.

We have created greyscale versions of these explainers so that they are easier to print. You can access them here:

Full Document Greyscale  -- Intro and Background Greyscale -- Explainer 1 Greyscale -- Explainer 2 Greyscale -- Explainer 3 Greyscale -- Explainer 4 Greyscale -- Explainer 5 Greyscale