. Verra has asked Wildlife Works to release information about its new gender equity task force within two months.
. The taskforce is required to investigate the alleged sexual harassment and prevent future occurrences within the project.
Image: SOLOMON MUINGI
Issuance of carbon credit is set to resume at the Kasigau REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) carbon projects in Taita Taveta County.
This follows a successful review by the world's carbon offset certifier Verra, which had banned the issuance of the credits due to alleged malpractice.
The Washington-based non-profit organisation suspended the issuance of carbon credits in November last year to the project proponent, Wildlife Works following alleged physical and sexual abuse linked to the project’s staff.
Other allegations included inadequate mechanisms for reporting sexual offences, other negative community impacts, and improper employment practices.
The allegations were raised by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO).
In a statement, Verra, however, said Wildlife Works has demonstrated that it is taking the required actions to address the alleged harm and to mitigate the risk of future harm.
“Verra found, among other things, that the project proponent has terminated the employment of offenders, contracted with a local, culturally appropriate firm to conduct mandatory gender sensitivity and sexual harassment training, and put in place new grievance redress procedures for the community and employees that allow for anonymous complaints and protect complainants’ confidentiality,” the statement reads in part.
Further, Verra has asked Wildlife Works to release information about its new gender equity task force within two months.
The task force is required to investigate the alleged sexual harassment and prevent future occurrences within the project.
“Within twelve months, they should provide evidence that all actions required by Verra’s review findings report on the Kasigau REDD+ Projects have been implemented,” Verra said.
The carbon offset certifier has also threatened to put the Kasigau projects on hold should future verification reports raise findings indicating that any of the actions required by their report are no longer being implemented.
The organization said its human rights policy requires project proponents to ensure that no discrimination or sexual harassment occurs in the project design or implementation.
Verra manages the world’s leading voluntary carbon markets program, the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Programme.
Kasigau REDD+ Projects have been cited as successful environmentally friendly projects that have offered alternative livelihood to thousands of residents in Taita Taveta County.
Wildlife Works receives carbon credit funding to implement the projects.
More than 130,000 livelihoods depend on the projects, while some 400 workers are permanently employed in different sectors within the projects.
The project is the second largest employer in the county, ranging from employees in the eco-factory, greenhouse, workshop, ranger force and administrative departments.
The project area has also benefited from increased access to quality healthcare, clean water and improved education as a result of the building of infrastructures in institutions financed through carbon revenue.
They include Marungu, Mwachabo, Kasigau, Sagalla, Mwatate and MacKinnon locations.
Last week, the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ project lead Nick Taylor said the organisation had fired two staffers, previously suspended following their extensive third-party investigation into sexual harassment and physical abuse allegations.
He further assured the organisation has taken measures to prevent violation of human rights, pointing out that anyone found culpable will face the law.
“I condemn perpetrators for leveraging on their powers to exploit vulnerable local job seekers and junior women workers,” he said.
Taita Taveta County Governor Andrew Mwadime promised to work closely with the community and the project's management to ensure that the proposals by Verra are strictly implemented.
Mwadime said the projects have played a significant role in reducing greenhouse emissions, economic growth and raising the living standards of the people in the region.
He said the project at the wildlife migratory corridor between the Tsavo East and West National Parks, has helped in enhancing forest conservation and climate change mitigation through a community-centred conservation strategy.