Paradoxes surrounding carbon credits and local area development: the case of Mbire District, Zimbabwe

Abstract

ABSTRACT Curbing deforestation, through carbon rights, has become a top priority in many countries in the face of climate change and global warming. This article is based on a study that investigated the promotion of clean environments in Zimbabwe. It seeks to question and investigate the effectiveness and efficiency of carbon credits in promoting development in Mbire District. Using documentary analysis, secondary data guided by the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) concepts as the main framework; the article questions the feasibility of the initiative in the context of Mbire District. Are carbon credits enhancing development or slowing down development? The research discovered that promoting clean development in Mbire is a success as the district is earning much income from carbon credits. However, there are limitations noted to have arisen due to several internal and external factors both in Mbire District and within the government. Development in Mbire is occurring at a marginal level as people in Mbire are g depending on carbon projects for income yet the selling of carbon credits is not yet fully conceptualised and fully accepted by many local companies. The article reveals that there is a need to re-visualise the issue of the environmental market with environmental spectacles and look at the carbon credits and their impacts through social-cultural lances. Zimbabwe needs more technical knowledge and to design procedures in promoting carbon projects in a way that suits the way of life of the communities of Mbire District.