Dr. Christoph Kubitza

Large-scale land acquisitions in palm oil, rubber, and sugarcane supply chains pose human rights and deforestation risks. Currently, weak land governance, poor traceability, and shifting trade patterns undermine stringent due diligence processes.

Carbon offset projects promise to benefit both climate mitigation and rural communities in the Global South. Evidence from Madagascar, however, showcases that three key constraints pose a challenge to the development potential of nature-based offsets in the voluntary carbon market.

The shift to a bioeconomy offers climate and sustainability benefits but risks biodiversity loss, land conflicts, and social inequities—especially in the Global South. This article explores inclusive pathways and governance for a just, sustainable bio-based future.

This policy report analyzes two land deals emblematic of carbon offsetting in Indonesia’s forest sector, assessing whether they deliver mitigation benefits and uphold community engagement and benefit sharing as outlined in standards, project plans, and global frameworks.

Logging companies have “acquired” roughly 1m hectares of Indigenous peoples’ territory in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2000, according to a new study.

Palmöl steckt in fast der Hälfte aller Supermarktprodukte. Die deutschen Konzerne versprechen ihren Konsumenten, es komme aus umweltschonender Produktion. Doch zumindest für Beiersdorf wurde Regenwald für den Rohstoff abgeholzt.

Organiser: German Institute for Global and Area Studies Dr. Christoph Kubitza (Speaker), Prof. Dr. Jann Lay (Moderator)

As Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) over-rely on land offsets in the Global South, climate gains are modest and social harms grow. This event gathers diverse stakeholders—centering Global South voices—to assess feasibility, risks, and pathways under volatile VCMs and emerging UN rules.

53rd Session of the Commitee on World Food Security , Via del Colosseo 31d, 00184 Rome, Rome Dr. Christoph Kubitza (Organiser), Prof. Dr. Jann Lay (Speaker)

At CFS 53, this side event spotlights the risks of land-based carbon offsetting in the Global South—amid a volatile VCM and new UN rules. We examine tenure and rights across systems, guard food security, and advance equity by strengthening community participation, ownership, and governance.