Carbon Confusion

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism, African nations and businesses anticipate global attitudes to swing against carbon emissions. Since Africa produces about 4 percent of annual global CO2 emissions, its mitigation potential is therefore negligible, reports Emilie Filou for This is Africa Online. Yet South Africa, the globe’s 13th largest emitter, is considering a carbon tax. Analysts eye rules of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme, the single biggest buyer of carbon credits globally. US involvement could eventually target deforestation, Filou notes, adding that “incentives to leave the forest standing would be a welcome alternative to logging revenues.” Some firms, including safari and tourism companies, voluntarily strive for carbon-neutral operations as good business practice. The next United Nations conference on climate change is scheduled for November 2011 in Durban. Organizers hope that the South African setting spurs action to reduce emissions and slow climate change. – YaleGlobal