“The Global South can benefit from carbon markets”

“I come from Trinidad and Tobago, where we’re already feeling the effects of climate change very strongly – and that influenced my choice of career.” She began a fellowship with Environmental Defense Fund, focusing on the climate challenges posed by aviation. “Until that point in time, I wasn’t aware just how much of a role aviation plays here. That immediately sparked my interest because I come from an island that relies on air travel.”

Carbon markets in the international context

Kristin Qui now works as a Climate Diplomacy Advisor with Climate Analytics Caribbean. In this role, she looks at how carbon markets can deliver additional mitigation ambition, more support for adaptation and contribute to sustainability – specifically in the context of the international climate negotiations. Article 6 of the Paris Agreement not only establishes the basis for new carbon markets, but also gives Parties the opportunity to further reduce their emissions and contribute to keeping the 1.5^oC goal within reach. However, this requires international cooperation.

Another stated objective of Article 6 is to create incentives for private sector involvement in these activities. “We are also looking at non-market approaches; a framework is currently being developed for this,” says expert Kristin Qui. “It’s also about sharing know-how on appropriate climate change mitigation measures and available technologies.” Work is currently under way to develop a platform where countries will be able to share ideas and knowledge. “We are already seeing many interesting approaches that are having a measurable impact.”

Benefits for all?

Carbon markets can bring benefits for countries in the Global South but shouldn’t be used as a tool for greenwashing, says Kristin Qui. “Of course it is a challenge to have to account for emissions reductions that are being achieved locally but can’t be credited towards national mitigation targets. But if countries are on track to meet their climate targets or have met them, this is where they can benefit. Having confidence that activities are producing real and additional emissions reductions is essential.” Furthermore, the knowledge and technology transfer associated with climate projects can have a positive impact on climate change mitigation in the Global South. “These projects can also increase the share of renewable energies, reduce the use of fossil fuels, protect against fuel price volatility, provide energy access for the population at large, and raise awareness of the need for climate action in the country concerned. They can thus contribute to sustainable social, environmental and economic development.” At the same time, she says, this compels governments to regulate climate action on an institutional basis. “This aspect was often neglected in the past due to lack of capacity, but now it is becoming essential. And it can help with further policy-making.”

A major challenge facing climate projects in countries of the Global South, according to the Climate Analytics Caribbean expert, is that implementing agencies are often not sufficiently familiar with local conditions. “If you don’t understand the challenges facing these countries, if you don’t analyse the socioeconomic, legal or institutional frameworks, you have no chance of setting up a sustainable, high-quality project.” It can only work, says Kristin Qui, if the project development process involves experts who “understand the reality in these countries. Among other things, that means understanding the political system – at both national and local level. Of course, gaining and sharing that knowledge takes time and money, which pushes up the price of carbon credits.” In addition, an institutional framework that records emissions reductions correctly is required in the project countries. “It is essential to track the reductions that projects are achieving and who they are credited to. Trinidad and Tobago is currently working on a framework for carbon markets.”

Social justice in climate action

From Kristin Qui’s perspective, countries like Trinidad and Tobago could certainly improve their performance with more international support. “But taking action on the climate is not an easy task here because we are so dependent on oil and gas,” she says. And she adds: “In everything we do, it is also important to get public buy-in and build social justice into the necessary adaptations that climate action brings.”

Kristin Qui graduated summa cum laude in Environmental Studies from St. John’s University, New York and holds a Master’s in Environmental Management from Yale School of the Environment, with a focus on international climate policy and sustainable development. After completing her studies, she took up a Fellowship on Diversity in International Carbon Markets at Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), later becoming a Project and Research Specialist here. A key aspect of her work at EDF was designing a programme to reduce and offset greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation. Kristin Qui has been employed as a Climate Diplomacy Advisor with Climate Analytics since 2019. She is also involved in the international climate change negotiations, with a particular focus on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In addition, she is currently working on the implementation of the Paris Agreement, specifically Article 6 (basis for new carbon markets), and was the 1st Chair of the Article 6.4 Mechanism Supervisory Body. Kristin Qui lives and works in Trinidad and Tobago.

Weitere Informationen

Kristin Qui’s profile in the eco@work magazine issue 02/2024

United Nations Climate Change press release: Article 6.4 Supervisory Body Kickstarts Work Anchoring Markets in Broader Paris Context

NMA Platform: On the “Topics” pages of the United Nations Climate Change website

Internationale Klimaschutzpolitik. Global handeln für mehr Klimaschutz [International climate policy: global action for more climate change mitigation]: Article on the website of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action

Cooperative action under Article 6: Article on the Carbon Mechanisms website of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action