Carbon trading is catching on in emerging markets, often thanks to small-scale programs undertaken in partnership among local farmers, NGOs, and international carbon-trading companies. One case in point involves a small group of farmers in Kenya who are being paid to plant trees to absorb excess carbon from the environment. The International Small Group and Tree Planting Program is the NGO negotiating contracts with the Clean Air Action Corporation on behalf of the farmers.
As one NGO representative says: "This is the beginning. If the projects succeed and the farmers enter into contracts they will continue being paid for the next 20 years at which point they will be entitled to 70 percent of all revenues accrued from the carbon sinks. The tree remains the property of the farmer."
In the meantime, checking eBay is the quickest way to ascertain whether the Kenya farmers have found their market niche.
Wrote a post last year about growing trees, but with a profit as the motive for rural Kenyans(http://bankelele.blogspot.com/2005/08/trees-great-investment.html)
Posted by: bankelele | May 11, 2006 at 02:06 AM