This is a past event
Tree-planting and peatland restoration are nature-based solutions to climate change because trees sequester CO2 emissions from the atmosphere and peatland restoration prevents further emissions taking place. One way to encourage landowners to undertake these activities is carbon trading, whereby landowners and developers receive credits for planting or restoration, and the emissions which are therefore sequestered or prevented, which can then be sold to organisations seeking to offset their unavoidable carbon emissions. The Scottish Government is supportive of carbon trading, and two codes (Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code) are currently operating in across the UK. There are also discussions ongoing regarding the development of new codes. However, the implementation of these codes has raised legal questions regarding the ownership of carbon, the holders of carbon rights as well as the status of carbon credits themselves. Proponents of carbon trading are seeking clarification of the status of carbon and carbon credits in order to facilitate trading and provide security for investors.
In this presentation, I will give an overview of the operation of the two carbon codes in Scotland and explore the legal status of carbon, carbon rights and carbon credits. I conclude that the legal arguments surrounding carbon trading represent a further de-physicalisation of property law and its relationship with natural resources. I will present arguments against viewing carbon or carbon credits as objects of property. However, in the event that such elements are considered property, I explore mechanisms to mitigate against the negative implications of such property status. As governments develop policies to encourage nature-based solutions, care must be shown to avoid a further instrumentalisation of nature for human benefit.
- Speaker
- Professor Jill Robbie
- Hosted by
- School of Law
- Venue
- Hybrid Event (On Campus Venue - Taylor A21)
- Contact
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Event is open to all and free to attend. If you would like to attend this event online please contact law-research@abdn.ac.uk