NAIROBI, Kenya — Global carbon standards organisation Verra has reinstated the Northern Kenya Grassland Carbon Project (Verra Project 1468) after the Chari Dedha Community confirmed its participation through a legally guided governance and consent process.
The project had been placed under a quality control review (QCR) after a January 2025 court ruling raised concerns over the establishment of Biliqo Bulesa Conservancy and another conservancy outside the project area.
The court found that the conservancies had been established without the required legal and community processes on unregistered community land, resulting in the project falling short of ownership requirements under Verra’s rules.
The project’s operator, Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), together with affected community conservancies, appealed the ruling.
While the appeal remains pending, NRT and the conservancies obtained an injunction suspending implementation of the court decision, allowing conservancy operations to continue.
Community Consent Process Conducted
To address concerns raised during the review, NRT was required to demonstrate compliance with the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards, including proof of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) from participating communities.
NRT worked with the Chari Dedha Community to conduct a governance and consent process aligned with Kenya’s Community Land Act.
The process included community registration, formation of elected governance structures, extensive consultations, and a ratification vote involving about 1,500 community members.
The vote confirmed the community’s support for continued participation in the carbon project through transparent decision-making structures.
“The review period has been a transformative journey for the project, strengthening its foundations,” said Peter Lekurtut, chairperson of the Transition Committee and member of the Carbon Council.
“Beyond addressing the issues raised by Verra, we have enhanced our free, prior, and informed consent processes through more than 300 community meetings, reinforced our grievance redress mechanisms, and made deliberate efforts to ensure that participating communities continue to realize tangible benefits alongside the carbon sequestration outcomes.”
Independent Assessment Clears Project
The project’s validation and verification body (VVB) independently assessed the governance arrangements and FPIC process.
The assessment included consultations with community members, civil society organisations, researchers, and other stakeholders not affiliated with the project.
The VVB concluded that the community governance structures and consent process met the requirements of Verra’s programmes.
Following the assessment, Verra reviewed the findings and reinstated the project.
The organisation said future verification processes will continue to monitor compliance, including consideration of any outcomes from ongoing court proceedings.
Carbon Markets and Community Benefits
The Northern Kenya Grassland Carbon Project is among Kenya’s largest community-based carbon initiatives, focusing on rangeland conservation, improved land management, and carbon sequestration.
Supporters of such projects argue they can provide communities with financial benefits while protecting ecosystems, improving biodiversity, and strengthening climate resilience.
