Kenyan soil carbon project suspended for a second time

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Mongabay or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The Northern Kenya Rangelands Carbon Project has been suspended for a second time by Verra, the world’s leading carbon credit certifier
• The decision follows a January 2025 Kenyan court ruling that found two conservancies involved in the project were established illegally, lacking proper community consultation
• Until Verra completes its review, the project is barred from selling carbon credits

🔭 The context: Launched in 2012 and managed by the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), the project generates carbon credits by adjusting livestock grazing practices across community conservancies
• It has sold credits to major corporations including Meta and Netflix
• However, ongoing legal and community opposition — particularly from Indigenous pastoralists — has raised questions about the legitimacy and inclusivity of the initiative
• This latest suspension follows a prior halt in 2023 over methodological concerns, which was later reversed

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Soil carbon projects like this aim to sequester CO₂ by improving land use practices, but their climate impact depends on credible methodologies and equitable governance
• Allegations of insufficient public participation and lack of transparency undermine trust in the integrity of carbon markets, especially in Global South contexts
• If not resolved, the case may deter future investment in nature-based solutions and prompt wider scrutiny of voluntary carbon credit schemes

⏭️ What's next: Verra is conducting a full compliance review to determine if the project meets certification standards
• The outcome will affect credit issuance and could trigger broader evaluations of other NRT-linked conservancies
• The legal precedent set by the Isiolo court ruling may embolden similar challenges across Kenya, potentially reshaping how community consent and land rights are handled in carbon projects
• NRT and Native, the project developer, are appealing the court ruling and anticipate reinstatement

💬 One quote: “We are engaging constructively with Verra and expect a similarly transparent and timely process,” — a spokesperson from Native, the project’s developer

📈 One stat: Since 2012, the project has sold carbon credits worth tens of millions of dollars to global clients

Click for more news covering the latest on carbon market