MATTHEW Walley gazes across the expansive forest that has sustained his indigenous community in Liberia for generations. Despite the morning sun casting a golden hue over the canopy, a looming sense of unease permeates the air. The land they depend on is under threat, and they are mobilising to protect their way of life.
In the past year, the Liberian government made a controversial decision to sell approximately 10 percent of the country’s land – equivalent to 10,931 square kilometres (4,220 square miles) – to Dubai-based company Blue Carbon. This deal aims to preserve forests that would otherwise be at risk of logging and agricultural conversion, activities vital for many local communities.
Blue Carbon, focused on conservation through carbon credits, plans to profit by selling these credits to polluters seeking to offset emissions from burning fossil fuels. While this model promises climate benefits, critics denounce it as ‘carbon colonialism,’ exploiting African lands for global environmental gains.
Local activists argue that the Liberian government lacks legal authority over these lands, as Liberian law recognises Indigenous land ownership. The agreement with Blue Carbon, reached in March 2023 without community consultation, raises concerns about inadequate protections for indigenous rights.
‘There is no legal framework on carbon credits in Liberia, leaving us vulnerable as a community,’ Walley, whose community of Neezuin faces potential loss of 573 square kilometres to Blue Carbon, told The Associated Press (AP).
Similar agreements across Africa with Blue Carbon could grant the company control over significant land areas. AP reports that in Kenya, indigenous populations have already faced evictions for carbon credit projects, sparking outrage from rights groups over cultural destruction and livelihood threats.
Simon Counsell, an independent conservation researcher, highlights the troubling trend of human rights abuses associated with such projects. ‘Many projects involve evictions and conflicts with local communities, with little consideration for landholders’ consent,’ Counsell notes.
Despite Africa’s minor contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, its vast natural resources are critical in climate change mitigation. However, Indigenous communities reliant on forests underscore the tension between climate goals and economic realities.
Cash-strapped African governments see conservation initiatives as revenue sources, despite concerns over rights violations and transparency. Blue Carbon’s significant land holdings, including in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Liberia, Tanzania, and Zambia, underscore the scale of these deals, AP reports.
In Liberia, the rushed Blue Carbon deal bypassed community consent, violating legal requirements. Activists and locals only learned of the agreement after leaked documents surfaced, prompting widespread opposition.
Ambulah Mamey, a Liberian activist, emphasises the need for climate action that respects human rights and laws. Public outcry forced a halt to the deal under former President George Weah, demonstrating the power of community mobilisation.
Emmanuel Yarkpawolo, Liberia’s new Environmental Protection Agency director, acknowledges the deal’s opaque process and vows to develop transparent rules for carbon credit sales. He stresses the importance of balancing environmental goals with Indigenous rights and economic welfare.
Despite Blue Carbon’s secretive operations, founded by Emirati royal Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, concerns persist over carbon offset effectiveness. Projects like the Northern Kenya Grassland Carbon Project, critiqued for disrupting livelihoods, raise doubts about climate benefits.
Walley and other community leaders advocate for sustainable conservation approaches that align with traditional practices and respect local rights. As Liberia navigates complex climate and economic challenges, the role of Indigenous voices in shaping environmental policies grows increasingly critical.
Indigenous resistance to carbon credit land deals in Liberia reflects broader global debates on climate justice and human rights. The delicate balance between conservation and community welfare highlights the urgent need for transparent, equitable environmental solutions in Africa and beyond.