In this joint FSR-NYU episode of #FSRDebates, we explore Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs) as they have emerged as a mechanism for organizations and individuals to offset their carbon emissions by purchasing carbon credits. While they hold promise to contribute to global carbon reduction efforts, they face several challenges that hinder their effectiveness and credibility.
VCMs often lack a unified global regulatory framework, leading to inconsistencies in standards and methodologies across different markets. This fragmentation can result in differences in the quality and reliability of carbon credits. Transparency issues and insufficient verification mechanisms can lead to double-counting, overestimations of carbon reductions, and fraud.
Ensuring that projects genuinely contribute to carbon reductions is a significant challenge. Moreover, concerns exist about the social impacts of certain carbon offset projects, particularly those involving land use changes.
Addressing these and other challenges requires serious efforts to create a more transparent and equitable carbon market that can effectively contribute to global climate goals. Our discussions in this episode will carefully examine all these aspects. The tri-continental perspective the debate brings aims to help understand the complexities of VCMs and enrich ongoing discussions, facilitating informed decision-making across various sectors and disciplines.
Keynote Speaker
Nat Keohane | President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
Damien Meadows | Legal and Policy Advisor, DG Climate Action
Debate
Peter Vis | Senior Adviser, Rud Pedersen Public Affairs, Brussels
Gregory Trencher | Kyoto University
Conclusions
Simone Borghesi | FSR
Moderators
Marzia Sesini | FSR
Christoph Graf | NYU
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