Indigenous communities now want equitable share in the 'Hewa Kaa' market

They came trooping in colour to Isiolo, proud of their ethnic background, ready to interact, learn, and express their concern. They were confident they would reach an all-inclusive agreement on issues raised at the end of the four-day Summit.

These were the more than 300 Indigenous delegates drawn from 24 counties who gathered at the Kisimani Eco Lodge (a symbol of what the pastoralists, hunters, and gatherers stand for), a colourful event that marked the 2024 edition of the Community Land Summit.

The summit, now in its fourth year, focused on discussing crucial issues that affect land use in Indigenous communities. Its aim was to strengthen their voices, develop strategies for equitable benefit-sharing, and foster regional collaboration to ensure sustainable development and climate resilience.

The delegates – the pastoralist and hunter-gatherer communities, government representatives, social and civil, academia, private sector actors, and special guests from six greater East African communities, engaged in intense conversations on issues affecting indigenous communities with critical emphasis on carbon credits and carbon markets.

The Summit, now in its fourth year was convened by IMPACT Kenya in partnership with PARAN Alliance and other partners and provided a key platform for learning, sharing, and building solidarity in securing land and territorial rights.

“In the last three years, we have curated themes that respond to the contemporary land issues, seeking audience from the government, while creating a platform for communities to engage on land matters,” said Mali Ole Kaunga, founder and CEO, of IMPACT Kenya, in his welcoming remarks.

He said the summits have gained popularity over the years, with key outcomes being, increased awareness of land registration, both by the communities and the governments, heightened registration of community land in Northern Kenya, and improved collaborations among stakeholders in land registrations.

This year’s theme “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ Collective Bargaining Power towards Carbon Markets,” aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 10 and 13 which aim to reduce inequalities and advance climate action.

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“The theme is crucial for bridging historical inequalities and amplifying the voices of Indigenous communities in carbon markets,” said Gertrude Nguku, National Land Commission, vice chair.

Nguku emphasised the Commission’s steadfast commitment to protecting community land rights ensuring that Indigenous People benefited equitably from land-based economic ventures, including carbon trading initiatives. This could be achieved through respecting the rights of pastoralist communities and ensuring their recognition in matters relating to their community land.

“We are gathered here to seek solutions to conflicts in our communities, as alone we may not have strength, but together, we can make an impact,” said Ole Kaunga. He said that addressing the issues surrounding carbon credits will empower Indigenous communities to present solutions to the government through their elected leaders.

The deliberations centred on Carbon Credits and Carbon Markets with conversations and engagements between those who know about Carbon investments, and those who do not know, how to trade and invest in carbon offset projects, the policies and regulations around it, the financial benefits, and its relation to climate change.

There were light moments such as a live debate on the Swahili name for the carbon market, with the Tanzania team carrying the day with “soko la hewa kaa’.

Experts in Carbon investments and markets explained the myths surrounding the trajectory. “Carbon markets are designed to incentivise emission reduction and promote sustainable practices, certain inherent flaws and challenges that need to be addressed,” said David Aracha, a scientist and expert in carbon trading.

He explained to the attentive participants that carbon offset projects often involve communities reducing on lands chosen for emissions reduction activities. Aracha said that while these projects have the potential to channel resources to communities with a history of environmental stewardship, lack of transparency could lead to an inequitable distribution of benefits.

The Summit also benefited from the input of communities that were trading in carbon such as the Northern Rangeland Trust (NRT), who so far have, according to Mohamed Shibia, NRT Director, Carbon Programme, earned a total of US$14.6 Million from its 1.8 million hectares under carbon projects – from Wamba, Northern Kenya, Uashin Gishu, Chali, and Mkogondo, since it entered the carbon market in 2021.

“Out of these earnings Ksh1.8 billion was shared among 45 conservancies who are the project proposers,” said Shibia

He explained to the audience how the project works. The role of the Trust, he said, was that of a proponent, (providing a supporting role), the community land owners (conservancies) were the project owners, while the third partner was the investor and developer of the project – the funder.

He further narrated the intricacies of the carbon trading journey that started in 2012, faced many challenges but was finally able to make a breakthrough in 2021.

From Kajiado, Esther Solitei brought home to the indigenous delegates, how her indigenous communities based in West and South Kajiado, in 2022 agreed with Carbon Soil for the Future Africa. She explained to the participants the success story that was not without challenges.

“The first time I had about carbon trading, I did not understand a thing and thought the proponents had come to rip us off our community land,” said Solitei. She explained how with training, she understood the prospects of earning a living from carbon trading, and she became an ambassador for spreading “the good news” among her community that was suffering from the loss of their livestock due to a devastating drought.

One challenge came about when signing the agreement (contract) between Carbon Soil for the Future Africa and her indigenous community. There were clauses that they did not understand.

However, the community engaged lawyers who broke down the clauses into simple language. She underpinned the importance of clarity. “The lawyers explained in our language and involved every member of the community, before going into negotiations, and thereafter signing the contract,” says Solitei.

Her sentiments were echoed by many other Indigenous community members who welcomed the importance of first educating the community on carbon trading and the associated issues.

Though the community has not yet sold the carbon credits, they have received money in advance from the investor to help them meet their needs before the maturity of the carbon credits.

From Tanzania, Paul Rukunga explained how his NGO – Ujamaa Community Resource Team, based in Arusha has helped the local community of hunters and gatherers to trade and benefit from carbon investment.

Penina Nailantei a pastoralist encouraged community members to educate themselves about carbon projects and the issues they bring.

“Community voices must be included, with an emphasis on free, prior, and informed consent,” said Nailantei.

The highlight of the summit was a colourful book launch of the Reference Manual for Community Land Management Committees and Community Assemblies.

“This crucial resource aims to guide elected groups in managing community land issues more effectively, and is a major milestone in empowering communities to sustainably manage their land,” said Hon Kello Harsama, Principal Secretary for the State Department for ASALS and Regional Development.

Critical issues such as indigenous people’s land and carbon markets, land tenure rights and environmental justice, sustainable climate solutions, understanding the carbon credit mechanism safety and accountability in carbon projects, equity in the carbon market, understanding benefit sharing, women in carbon markets, innovation, best practices, collective bargaining in carbon markets were addressed through panel discussions.

“The four days were not enough to tackle the elephant in the room – the mysteries surrounding carbon trading and its connection to climate change, and the overall thought that the Indigenous community land was a target for shrewd investors who thought that the expansive lands belonging to pastoralists, the hunters and gatherers were up for grabs,” said David Aracha, a delegate.

However, at the closure of the summit, Evelyn Nairesiae, the moderator for the event, described it as a win-win outcome, a mutual understanding based on the agreement that was captured in the more than 10 pointer resolutions (communique), a sign of a better future for the Indigenous communities from the 24 counties.