SSN hosts the Africa Regional consultation of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Global Dialogue

To keep global warming to 1.5°C, emissions need to decline rapidly. This means that countries need to commit to more ambitious mitigation targets, and developing countries need access to finance, technologies, and capacities to implement their climate policies. If designed well, the voluntary carbon market can help to achieve both aims.

The Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCM) Global Dialogue puts the supply side at the center of the discussion on how the voluntary carbon market can be best designed and deployed. The initiative brings the perspective of host countries more prominently to the debate, thereby complementing ongoing discussions that have a strong focus on the integrity of the voluntary carbon market from the viewpoint of carbon credit buyers and traders. The findings from the VCM Global Dialogue will be presented at COP 26 in Glasgow, November 2021.

To kick-start the discussion, a team of global carbon market experts and practitioners have interviewed a range of stakeholders, experts, and practitioners about their perspectives on the future of the VCM. Their opinions have been written up in four discussion papers, covering three main target audiences (developing country governments, project developers, and corporates) and one paper that dives into the specifics of REDD+.

Now, the VCM Global Dialogue invites you to share your views on what is needed to harness the full potential of the VCM. Over the next month, numerous stakeholder consultations will be taking place in Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and Latin America, where we create a space to build a shared understanding and position regarding the future of the VCM. During the virtual consultation sessions, our author team will present their initial findings to open the conversation. Participants will have an opportunity to share their experiences, perspectives, and opinions during a facilitated discussion. The outcomes of the consultations will provide our author team with a solid and comprehensive knowledge base to finalize the position papers.

Regional consultations form the backbone of the Global Dialogue and SSN is leading the African component thereof, with consultations taking place on 24 June and 1 July. The success of the process hinges on having as many relevant voices as possible join the conversation. This includes government individuals in the regulatory space, civil society, private sector actors responsible for carbon offset projects, and corporations seeking to purchase carbon credits to offset their emissions.

If you are interested in sharing your views in the African Dialogue, please register through this form. Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email containing the consultation meeting program, details on how to access the meeting, and a link to the four position papers that will be presented and discussed.

Please forward any questions about the Africa consultation of the VCM Global Dialogue to africa@vcm-gd.org

For more information, please see www.vcm-gd.org