In Liberia, Indigenous communities are facing challenges as the government has agreed to sell a significant portion of the country's land to a Dubai-based company, Blue Carbon, for conservation purposes. This move has raised concerns among local communities who rely on the land for their livelihoods.
Blue Carbon plans to profit by selling carbon credits to offset emissions from polluters burning fossil fuels. However, critics argue that this approach, labeled as 'carbon colonialism,' may not provide significant climate benefits.
Activists point out that the government's agreement with Blue Carbon disregards Indigenous land ownership rights recognized by Liberian law. Similar concerns have been raised in other African countries where Indigenous populations have been displaced to make way for carbon credit projects.
While Africa's natural resources play a crucial role in combating climate change, the tension between conservation efforts and economic realities is evident. Cash-strapped governments are attracted to such initiatives for the revenue they generate, despite concerns about human rights abuses and transparency.
Blue Carbon's operations in several African countries, including Liberia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia, have sparked controversy due to opaque agreements and lack of community consultation. In Liberia, the government's rushed deal with Blue Carbon faced opposition from activists and communities, leading to its suspension.
The new director of Liberia's Environmental Protection Agency has acknowledged the lack of transparency in the Blue Carbon deal and emphasized the need to balance environmental goals with Indigenous people's rights and economic well-being.
Concerns about the effectiveness of carbon offsetting have also been raised, with experts questioning the concept of 'additionality' and the long-term impact of forest conservation projects. The debate continues on whether such initiatives truly benefit the climate or inadvertently lead to deforestation in other areas.
As African countries navigate the complexities of conservation and economic development, the need for transparent and inclusive approaches to climate action remains paramount.
