· 1 min read
In this series, illuminem and carbonparadox share 24 carbon paradoxes that demand our attention and discussion. Each one highlights a tension we must address to improve the way we value and protect our planet.
This is one of the shortest but most tricky paradoxes.
Yes or no, should you fully control how the money is spent on the ground when you buy carbon credits from a project?
If your answer is “no,” you risk criticism for allowing potential misuse of funds due to lack of oversight.
If your answer is “yes,” paradoxically, you face an utterly different critique: accusations of not trusting and empowering local authorities and communities. This can be perceived as paternalistic or even neo-colonial.
How to address the control paradox?
This article is also published on carbonparadox.org. illuminem Voices is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of leading Sustainability & Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.
