Tanzania: Carbon projects undermine land rights of the Maasai

(Aachen, Göttingen, Cologne, March 11, 2025) A study published today by the Maasai International Solidarity Alliance (MISA) – members of which include the aid organization Misereor, the human rights organization FIAN, and the Society for Threatened Peoples – highlights the problematic effects of international projects that are actually supposed to help protect the climate through carbon offsetting. The land rights and human rights of the Maasai, an Indigenous East African ethnic group, are under severe pressure.

The study documents the impacts of two large-scale carbon projects on the nomadic ethnic group of the Maasai in the north of Tanzania. Numerous serious irregularities were found: dubious advance payments to individual villages, non-transparent and in some cases illegal contracts, and disregard for standards of international law – especially concerning involvement of the local people. There are strong limitations in this regard, as many community members don’t even have basic knowledge about carbon markets, contract terms, and their consequences. As a result, the communities are increasingly losing control over their traditional grazing lands and can no longer practice important centuries-old methods.

Climate protection projects in conflict with local traditions

The traditional grazing routes of the Maasai are subject to water availability, changing dry seasons, and the migration of their herds.

The grazing patterns and mobility of the Maasai are not only a key aspect of their traditional culture, but also have a sustainable positive influence with regard to the conservation and resilience of the dry rangelands. Due to the two new carbon projects, the interests of the Maasai will subordinated to carbon storage – for up to 40 years. “The new requirements of the carbon projects make traditional grazing practices impossible. Therefore, we are demanding these projects to be stopped immediately,” stated Roman Herre, agriculture expert at the human rights organization FIAN.

Land grab is a threat to the sustainable practices of the Maasai

In Tanzania, the two projects in question are competing for grazing land for their carbon programs. The aim is to enforce changes in land use to store additional carbon in the soil and thereby offset carbon emissions. One of the projects, financed by Volkswagen, covers almost one million hectares – an area roughly half the size of Hesse. The Maasai are living in harmony with nature there: with their deep-rooted knowledge, they are preserving the landscape and protecting the unique biodiversity for generations to come,” emphasized Sarah Reinke, head of human rights work at the STP.

Sustainability without responsibility:  Volkswagen under criticism

Previous discussions between Volkswagen and the Maasai’s lawyers regarding consideration of their rights and interests have largely remained inconclusive. Despite significant concerns, Volkswagen has not provided a substantial response. “It is essential for companies to not only make sustainability promises, but to actively contribute to solving these problems. We are demanding German companies such as Volkswagen not to jeopardize land rights and human rights in the name of sustainability. Thus, the local population must be transparently involved in the project planning from the very beginning, and they must not try to evade their corporate responsibility,” added Selina Wiredu, Africa policy advisor at Misereor.

Further information:

An online press conference with members of MISA from Tanzania and Europe will take place on Thursday, March 13, 2025, starting at 3 pm. Please register via: maasaiinternationalsolidaritya@gmail.com

Link to the study “Soil Carbon Credits: Another Wave of Land Alienation in Northern Tanzania?”

…and a brief overview of the study in German.

Press contacts:

Charleen Kovac, Misereor

+49 241 442 116

E-mail: charleen.kovac@misereor.de

Roman Herre, FIAN Germany

+49 1520 7067 302

E-mail: r.herre@fian.de

Daniel Matt/Sarah Neumeyer, Society for Threatened Peoples

+49 551 49906 21

E-mail: presse@gfbv.de