Danny ChenOne of the main reasons that Article 6.4 SD Tool requirement exists is to minimize the negative project outcomes. Inside the official document, it introduces the 11 elements of risk assessment in environmental and social safeguard requirements.
Carbon credit project developers are asked to develop a mitigation plan for the identified potential negative impacts and implement a monitoring process for the project outcome measurement. In today’s post, we will talk about the social safeguards that are beyond greenhouse gas reduction/removal.
For social safeguards, the carbon credit developers are asked to look into 8 elements: human rights, labor, health and safety, gender equality, land acquisition and involuntary resettlement, indigenous peoples, corruption, and cultural heritage. Here are some brief introductions on the environmental safeguards. The project will
1. Not undermine the realization of human rights with stakeholder human right due diligence.
2. Ensure education programs for local communities to access labor opportunities created by the carbon credit activity.
3. Avoid exposing local communities to increased health risks and diseases, and do not adversely affect the health of the community.
4. Apply fair treatment, non-discrimination, and equal opportunity for activity workers.
5. Conduct a census and a socioeconomic baseline survey to identify all affected individuals, groups, or communities that will be physically or economically displaced.
6. Respect, protect, and conserve the cultural, intellectual, religious, and/or spiritual property of Indigenous Peoples.
7. Ensures the avoidance, prevention, and detection of corruption
8. Responsible for designing the activity to avoid significant adverse impacts on cultural heritage.
