A carbon project in northern Kenya that sells credits to companies like Netflix and Meta has been put on hold due to disagreements between the project and local herders, according to a report by The New York Times.
Project Overview
The Northern Kenya Rangelands Carbon Project relies on grasslands in northern Kenya where Maasai communities raise cattle using traditional methods. The project requires herders to change their grazing patterns by rotating livestock every three months, allowing grasses to recover and lock more carbon into the soil.
Local Herders’ Concerns
- Some local herders have refused to adopt these new practices, claiming they were misled about how participating in the project would affect their livelihoods.
- Many herders expected higher incomes from selling carbon credits than they were actually receiving.
Role of Tech Companies
Tech companies purchase carbon credits from projects like this one as part of efforts to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions. These credits are generated when projects such as reforestation or sustainable agriculture practices reduce emissions or remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
Criticism of Carbon Offset Projects
Critics argue that many of these projects do not deliver promised benefits for local communities or effectively address climate change. Key points include:
- Lack of clear benefits for local communities.
- Uncertainty for consumers purchasing offsets through platforms like Meta’s "Meta Gives" program or Netflix’s "Netflix for Good" initiative regarding whether they are actually reducing emissions elsewhere.
Implications of the Project Halt
The halt of this particular project highlights concerns about the effectiveness of tech companies’ efforts to offset their own emissions through voluntary purchases, especially given the scale of global warming caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
In a statement, Meta said it was working with its partners at Verra—an organization that certifies offsets—“to ensure our purchased offsets meet high standards.”
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