Title PhD
Empowering Indigenous Voices in Carbon Market Governance: Lessons from East Africa
Research field/ discipline
Public Law – International Law, International Human Rights Law
Introduction PhD
The research aims to critically explore how carbon markets in East Africa can align with indigenous rights through human rights-based due diligence, focusing on legal frameworks and the implementation of Free, Prior and Informed Consent.
Abstract
The integration of indigenous peoples' rights into carbon markets is both urgent and underexplored, as current literature inadequately addresses the human rights implications of these markets, hindering the development of balanced climate policies. My research fills this gap by focusing on the alignment of carbon market expansion with indigenous rights, particularly in East Africa, where such alignment is critically lacking. The project aims to explore how carbon markets can operate while respecting indigenous rights, focusing on the key question: How can human rights-based due diligence be integrated into carbon market frameworks?
The objectives are to analyse legal and policy frameworks governing carbon markets in East Africa and to assess the implementation of Free, Prior and Informed Consent principles in these markets. Methodologically, the research will use comparative legal analysis and fieldwork, incorporating novel community-based participatory approaches for indigenous perspectives. The expected outcome is a set of policy recommendations for aligning carbon markets with human rights norms. These findings will significantly advance the understanding of carbon market governance and inform more equitable climate policies and practices. The findings of this research provide guidance to policymakers and industry stakeholders on how to develop carbon markets that are not only effective in mitigating climate change, but also respect and protect indigenous peoples' rights.