Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Carbon Credits

latest news & developments
Malawi has committed about 550 000 hectares of public forest, close to 6% of the country’s land area, to a 40-year carbon-credit arrangement before parliament has passed a dedicated law to regulate such deals.
AFRICA

Portuguese carbon deal ‘locks’ Malawian forests for decades

A sweeping agreement to market carbon credits from 14 forest reserves could generate more than $1.5 billion but critics warn the legal framework remains unfinished

  • Collins Mtika
8 min read
While coal producers stand to benefit from stronger prices and export demand, researchers warn that increased coal production and exports carry significant environmental and social costs, from greenhouse gas emissions to the impacts borne by communities living near mines and coal-fired power stations. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
ABANDONED MINES

New study exposes massive undercount of methane leaks from South Africa’s coal mines

A new University of Cape Town study reveals that methane emissions from coal mines may be seven to 14 times higher than official estimates. Experts say capturing this potent…

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
Uncertainty still surrounds the Kariba REDD+ forest conservation project, which provides sustainable livelihood opportunities for poor communities in northern Zimbabwe. (Substack)
AFRICA

Fate of Zimbabwe’s Kariba REDD+ forest conservation project hangs in the balance

Kariba REDD+ has been prevented from trading after allegations of mismanagement and corruption

  • Lenin Ndebele
3 min read
AFRICA

COP27’s loss and damage fund delivers climate justice despite conference shortcomings

While COP27 saw some major milestones achieved, there were also worrying breaches in commitments to tackle the real sources of climate change

  • Nqobile Xaba
5 min read
Coal for sale in big bags along the road, Bafing, Yo, Ivory Coast. (Photo by Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis via Getty Images)
AFRICA CARBON MARKETS INITIATIVE

Africa hopes voluntary carbon markets will fund climate finance and create jobs

But some see carbon credits as a false solution because companies will use the system to avoid cutting their carbon emissions

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
Overuse: The Lokoli Forest in Benin, where 40% of the population live in poverty, is under threat: Photo: Yanick Folly/AFP/Getty Images
ARTICLE 16

Carbon offset is greenwashing, critics say

A marine conservation funding facility wants carbon trading to finance restoration and protection of the oceans and marine biodiversity

  • Tunicia Phillips
4 min read