Carbon offsets are a way for companies or countries that pollute the air to “cancel out” some of their carbon emissions by funding projects that protect forests, plant trees, or provide clean energy – sometimes on the other side of the world. Polluting companies in the US, Europe, Asia or elsewhere can buy one carbon credit from a green project anywhere in exchange for emitting one metric tonne of carbon dioxide (CO₂). But do these projects benefit the African countries that host them? Rural development researcher Fadzai Chipato studied two carbon offset projects in Zimbabwe. Her research found that these projects can negatively affect local communities.
What carbon offset projects are happening in Zimbabwe?
In Zimbabwe, carbon offsetting began around 2011 with the Kariba REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries) project.
