Carbon Markets and Climate Justice: Balancing Growth, Conservation, and Community Rights
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Environment & Ecology (Climate Change, Carbon Credits, Carbon Markets, India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme - CCTS, REDD+, Verra, Free, Prior, and Informed Consent - FPIC, Sustainable Development, Decoupling).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (Polity & Social Justice): Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections (Tribal land rights, FPIC, Forest Rights Act).
General Studies Paper 3 (Environment & Economy): Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation; Climate Change; Inclusive growth and issues arising from it; Mobilization of resources (Carbon markets as a financial tool).
Key Highlights from the News
Decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation is today's main challenge.
Carbon credit markets are seen as a major tool for this.
India is developing its own Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).
However, the article warns that if these carbon projects lack sufficient safety standards, they could turn into "modern plantations" exploiting indigenous communities and farmers.
The Northern Kenya Rangelands Carbon Project in Kenya is an example of this, where the land rights of indigenous communities were violated, and their consent was not obtained.
Ensuring Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) is essential when implementing carbon projects.
If India's CCTS does not emphasize transparency, fair benefit-sharing, and community rights, similar exploitation could occur here.
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