Fostering the Future of Carbon Projects
Fostering the Future of Carbon Projects in Fairness and Equity.
The workshop explored the importance of equity and integrity in carbon markets, emphasizing why these values are essential to greenhouse gas mitigation projects in West Africa.
Organized by Environmental Markets Fairness Foundation and ALLCOT, with support from EcoRegistry, Cercarbono, Senken and Flowcarbon, the workshop explored the importance of equity and integrity in carbon markets and their essential role in emissions mitigation projects in West Africa.
The event highlighted the value of developing carbon markets in the region and launched strategic initiatives intended to expand globally.
Agenda and activities
Mangrove reforestation (site visit)
During the field visit, we learned about the ALLCOT Blue Carbon Mangrove Senegal Project, which aims to restore 7,000 hectares of mangroves in Casamance and Sine Saloum. Participants toured the areas slated for restoration with the local stakeholders leading the project, who emphasized the importance of creating sustainable development opportunities for their communities.
Distribution of efficient cookstoves (Site Visit)
During our visit we were able to meet local communities that benefited from the CDM CPA Cookstoves distribution in Senegal, which aims to reduce deforestation through the distribution of 50,000 efficient cookstoves, which means a 30% reduction in firewood collection. In addition to the impact on emissions reduction, this project was developed with a gender perspective that results in empowering local families by engaging them as agents of change in this climate action.
Workshop Session 1
The three-day workshop “Fostering the Future of Carbon Projects in Fairness and Equity” opened with welcoming remarks from Ousmane Fall SARR, Chairman of the Organizing Committee. Opening speakers included our Secretary General, Patricio Lombardi, representing Environmental Markets Fairness Foundation and its principles; Alexis Leroy, CEO and founder of ALLCOT, who addressed the state of carbon markets and the importance of strengthening fairness; and leading experts from West Africa and Latin America, who discussed carbon markets in the Global South. Sergi Cuadrat, Managing Director of ALLCOT, moderated the discussion.
Workshop Session 2
Building on the momentum of the first day, participants joined a discussion moderated by Massamba Thioye, Director of the UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub.
This second session focused mainly on issues such as the emergence of new technologies around innovation in financial tools and their positive impacts on generating greater traceability and credibility in carbon markets, with presentations by Ikarus Janzen, from Climate Collective; Adrian Wons, Co-founder & CEO of SENKEN; Juan David Durán, Executive Director of Ecoregistry; and Andrés Correa, Board Member of Cercarbono.
Following the presentations, speakers and participants joined roundtable discussions to share their experience and lessons learned.
Workshop Session 3
The third and final session of the workshop “Fostering the Future of Carbon Projects in Fairness and Equity” invited participants to discuss the ideas shared throughout the program in Senegal. The roundtable discussions examined carbon markets from a holistic perspective, as a financing mechanism that goes beyond emissions reductions to support the social and economic development of local communities.
Participants also explored the historic opportunity for Africa and Latin America to become global leaders in biodiversity conservation and environmental integrity, recognizing the Global South’s role as an environmental creditor.