The World

Tree Planting for Carbon Raises Questions

More than a decade ago nations agreed that richer countries should pay poorer countries for “clean development” that reduces carbon emissions. The first tree carbon project in Africa under this agreement is now underway. But the trees aren’t native, and t

When some villagers in southwestern Uganda began planting trees to bring back cooler temperatures and rain to their region, they caught the attention of the nation’s foresters. The officials signed them up for East Africa’s first tree carbon project. With funding from the World Bank, they’ll receive money for storing carbon in newly-planted trees. But as Beth Hoffman reports, the project could have unintended consequences.