Securing Land Rights and Social Equity in Pursuit of Net-Zero

As climate negotiators, policy-makers, and advocates gear up for the Africa Climate Week and the Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, on the road to the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 30), now is the time to place land rights, responsible investment, and inclusive, community-led approaches at the heart of the climate agenda. Following COP 29, which left many unanswered questions regarding the mobilization and delivery of climate finance for developing countries, the question of climate finance remains high on the agenda for Africa Climate Week. 

With the New Collective Quantified Goal including provisions for carbon markets as a tool for channelling climate finance to developing countries, this webinar comes at a pivotal moment to ask: What do net-zero strategies and investments in land-based carbon removal mean for land rights and communities, and how can we transform risks into opportunities to meet climate goals?

Why This Matters

Encouraged by the financial promise of carbon markets, investments in land-based climate solutions, such as afforestation and ecosystem restoration, are gaining ground globally. These investments hold the potential to advance climate and socio-economic development objectives. But they also require large areas of land, often in places where tenure systems are weak and community rights insecure. In the absence of robust legal processes and strong and enforceable safeguards, such investments risk deepening inequalities and driving land dispossession. 

On August 28th, 2025, IISD held a dialogue along with TMG Research, and Robert Bosch Stiftung on how to make climate action both effective and just.