Workshop on Communicating Carbon
One of the key mitigation strategies in agricultural landscapes is to sequester carbon in the soil or in trees. Several schemes have developed where parties may purchase carbon credits produced by farmers to offset their own carbon emissions. Engaging farmers in such carbon finance schemes is challenging, however, due to the establishment of mechanisms for carbon sequestration, uncertainties surrounding the carbon market, language and media access barriers to participation in information flows, unclear risks and unrealistic expectations about benefits of carbon schemes to farmers.
One of the key mitigation strategies in agricultural landscapes is to sequester carbon in the soil or in trees. Several schemes have developed where parties may purchase carbon credits produced by farmers to offset their own carbon emissions. Engaging farmers in such carbon finance schemes is challenging, however, due to the establishment of mechanisms for carbon sequestration, uncertainties surrounding the carbon market, language and media access barriers to participation in information flows, unclear risks and unrealistic expectations about benefits of carbon schemes to farmers.
Therefore, a workshop on Communicating Carbon held by the Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), may help improve various communication techniques used to better inform farmers about carbon projects and ensure free, prior and informed consent (FPIC). The principle of FPIC includes providing information about and consultation on any proposed initiative and its likely impacts; participation of communities; and, representative institutions. FPIC is important in protecting rights and resources of farmers.
Non-governmental organizations and others in many countries are already acting as “brokers” while implementing FPIC where project developers help negotiate between carbon buyers and farmers who may have the means to plant more trees or sequester more carbon in the soil to help offset emissions. It is the information on carbon finance and how information is conveyed based on the FPIC principles that this workshop will focus upon.
The aim of this workshop is to bring together the project developers and their staff who interact with farmers to exchange lessons learned with each other, as well as to develop improved skills related to communication about carbon projects. The workshop will highlight best communication practices used to inform farmers about carbon markets, contracts, and risks involved in engaging with carbon projects. The workshop will also learn from communication strategies that have not been successful. The Communicating Carbon workshop aims to facilitate linking knowledge of mitigation with action that can help mitigate GHG emissions.
Objectives of the Workshop:
• Share experiences on communicating the concept of carbon finance to farmers;
• Identify communication strategies that provide and do not provide free, prior and informed consent to farmers about carbon project;
• Develop topics and texts to be included in a policy brief on communicating carbon finance;
• Develop an action plan to carry forward collaboration beyond this initial gathering.
Both Theme Leader of CCAFS theme 4.1 Linking Knowledge with Actions, Patti Kristjanson, and Science Officer Moushumi Chaudhury will be leading sessions during the workshop.
To read more about the conference please download the Workshop Agenda further down.