From 20-22 February 2014, Carbon Market Watch together with civil society organisations in India organized a workshop on land rights and carbon markets. Co-organisers included: Bank Information Centre, Beyond Copenhagen Collective, Bread for the World, Center for Research and Advocacy, Manipur, GAIA, Gujarat Forum on CDM, INECC, International Rivers, LAYA, Matu Jan Sangthan, Paryavaran Mitra, Public Advocacy Initiatives for Rights and Values in India (PAIRVI), South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP), the Society for the Promotion of Wasteland Development (SPWD), VIKALP, Water Initiatives Orissa and the Timbaktu Collective.
Over 3 days, more than 50 participants from 12 states discussed the influence carbon markets may place upon land rights in India. Special emphasize was thereby given to the increased focus on climate mitigation activities in sectors that are typically dependent on common lands, such as forests and agricultural areas. Political impacts of land based carbon market initiatives have been outlined, including effects of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and other offsetting mechanisms on common lands for marginalized groups and women. For more information see the following documents:
The workshop programme addressed the following topics:
Political developments on international and regional carbon markets Key challenges for land-based initiatives in :
- Sustainable forest management activities (REDD+)
- Agriculture and forest carbon markets projects
- Biodiversity offsetting mechanisms
Particular focus was given to:
- Public participation procedures
- Environmental impacts
- Social safeguards (e.g. to protect human rights) and grievance mechanisms
