Cologne, Aachen, Göttingen. The human rights organizations FIAN and the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) are calling for Volkswagen’s climate project in Tanzania not to be certified. This follows more than 100 complaints, most of which originate from Maasai communities. According to the organizations, an analysis of the complaints shows that the local population was not sufficiently informed about the project and that there is widespread resistance.
Volkswagen is financing a so-called carbon project in Tanzania. By fundamentally restructuring the Maasai’s traditional pastoral economy, the project aims to increase CO2 storage in the roots of the steppe grasses and in the soil. The resulting certificates are intended to improve Volkswagen’s carbon footprint.
A study by the Maasai International Solidarity Alliance (MISA), which includes FIAN, STP, and Misereor, documents the dangers of the project for the Maasai.
The project is intended to cover an area of one million hectares of pastureland. “Locally adapted, traditional grazing management structures are to be replaced by strict, unrealistic guidelines. “The fact that Volkswagen wants to dictate the Maasai’s grazing practices is absurd and violates the fundamental human rights of the affected communities,” the organizations criticize.
The project is currently being reviewed by VERRA, the world’s largest private certifier of such climate protection initiatives. At the start of the certification process, there was a roughly one-month period for submitting complaints. However, those affected only learned of this by chance. “The fact that those affected were not actively informed about the online complaint option shows how problematic the entire project is structured. The fact that over 100 complaints—primarily from Maasai communities—were received in just a few days despite this is a clear signal of criticism,” emphasize FIAN, STP, and Misereor. Last week, VERRA published the submitted points of criticism.
As part of the Maasai Solidarity Network (MISA), FIAN, and STP, together with Survival International, have also submitted a comprehensive complaint. In it, they call on VERRA not to certify the project.
As early as 2025, the Maasai, through the MISA network, had called for the project to be suspended to allow for a proper discussion of the impacts of a project that so deeply interferes with the Maasai way of life. To date, Volkswagen has ignored this request.
Contact
Roman Herre, FIAN Germany, 65]?2:7o6CC69]C, 01520-7067302
Laura Mahler, STP, 65]G378oC6=92>]=, 03051 / 695825-3.