Social Integrity within Voluntary Carbon Markets: Challenges and Opportunities for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

Nature-based climate interventions, such as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) and Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs) are driving a shift towards a net positive economy but creating a complex landscape of actors and processes with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPs and LCs) at their heart. Yet, multiple reports have shown violations to IPs and LCs’ rights – including the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) – and inadequate participation and benefit-sharing mechanisms. As a result, VCMs have come under intense scrutiny over concerns around the social integrity of the carbon credits sold.

What are the current challenges to ensure adequate participation of rightsholders in carbon markets? What are the best practices that market actors should implement to sustain social integrity? What does success look like? How are current initiatives addressing gaps? What ideas and opportunities are emerging to raise the bar?

This panel discussion between civil society, Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations (IPOs), and carbon market stakeholders will examine these questions and focus on current efforts and opportunities for improvement when aiming to achieve ‘high social integrity’.

Location: Convene, 101 Park Ave, New York. Room: Park Hub.

Languages with interpretation: English, Portuguese and Spanish.