Carbon Green reaffirms commitment to Kariba REDD+ Project on forests conservation amid confirmation of carbon credits validity, but demands clarity from regulator 

By James Muonwa 

CARBON Green Investments (CGI) has expressed commitment to implement its suspended Kariba REDD+ Project on forests conservation and community support in Zimbabwe.

This position follows endorsement by Verra, which is the global carbon credits regulatory body, acknowledging that the status of retired Kariba REDD+ credits will not change, and remain valid in their registry, meaning previously purchased credits also stay valid notwithstanding the baseline reassessment.

The carbon project owner says it welcomes Verra’s report, which it will scrutinise together with officials from the Government of Zimbabwe.

“CGI thanks Verra for providing its update and results from their review of the Kariba REDD+ Project, as outlined in their September 23, 2025, letter and public statement…,” said GCI in a statement.

“In response, CGI, in collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe, will carefully review Verra’s outcome. To ensure a thorough, true, and accurate outcome, CGI has concluded independent third-party assessments of the carbon accounting and related matters, using all up-to-date data, scientific findings and appropriate methodologies. From this evaluation, CGI will partner with the new registry to address and mitigate any historical discrepancies in credit issuance, prioritising transparency and the long-term sustainability of the project.

“We value Verra’s role in trying to advance environmental integrity and looks forward to constructive dialogue as we move forward.

“CGI remains committed to the Kariba REDD+ Project’s mission of forest conservation and community support in Zimbabwe. We are grateful for Verra’s input and are committed to continue working towards resolutions that uphold the highest standards,” the company said.

Amidst the positive outlook, GCI issued a week’s ultimatum demanding from Verra the baseline assessment report and data sources for the Kariba REDD+ Project review.

“While we appreciate the update on the carbon accounting and quality control processes, we are concerned by the lack of accompanying detail regards the basis for the reported findings,” wrote CGI in a note dated September 25, 2025.

“As the project proponent, we are committed to engaging constructively and transparently with all stakeholders involved,” the company further said, before demanding the baseline reassessment report and data sources.

Further, GCI requested a freeze on the compensation process and interfering with its clients without the company’s prior consent.

The ultimatum comes in the wake of concerns by Verra that there was over-crediting of carbons for the Kariba REDD+ Project, which some environmental analysts have questioned.

In an interview with NewZimbabwe.com, Phillip Mutemachani said Verra was shooting itself in the foot by stating alleged over-crediting Kariba REDD+ Project carbon credits.

Meanwhile, carbon asset developer, South Pole, has also added its voice on the saga of Verra’s Section 6 review into the Kariba REDD+ Project.

“Although South Pole has ceased all involvement with both project and the project owner since 2023, we have cooperated with Verra, a global carbon standard body, through every step of this review, which we see as an important process to give everyone, including South Pole and its various stakeholders, more clarity and guidance on the project’s status and future.

“The integrity and robustness of the buffer pool mechanism remain intact to manage any potential emissions reversals in the project.

“In its past role as carbon asset developer, South Pole has consistently applied Verra’s VM0009 methodology as it pertains to carbon accounting,” South Pole noted in a statement.

“In normal circumstances under Verra’s VM009 methodology, any discrepancy between projected and actual deforestation (i.e. after a periodic assessment of the baseline as outlined in the methodology itself), would be corrected in subsequent verification periods.

“However, given the unprecedented situation of the project withdrawing from the Verra Registry, there are no subsequent monitoring periods where such compensation could occur. Verra’s update confirms that the carbon standard body is now taking proactive, corrective steps to balance credit issuances in lieu of the correction that would have otherwise been applicable as per the in-built true-up mechanism in VM0009.

“Alongside South Pole’s wider cooperation as part of the review, South Pole has proactively requested that Verra cancel the 2.5 million verified Kariba REDD+ credits South Pole holds to help address the discrepancies in issued credits and uphold the environmental integrity of the project.

“This contribution builds on South Pole’s concerted efforts over the last two years to undergo a comprehensive transformation, which included a full review and strengthening of the company’s quality, risk, and compliance protocols. The company introduced stricter KYC and partner diligence processes to ensure project partners align with our ethical and compliance standards.”

As a carbon asset developer hired by the project owner, South Pole’s past responsibility was to ensure that Verra’s VM0009 methodology was being consistently applied as it pertains to the carbon accounting of the project, in order to receive verified carbon credits.

In addition, it managed the sale of carbon credits to the market in order to secure funding for the project’s operations on the ground, but responsibility for operating the project on the ground – including engagement with and distribution of funds to local communities and initiatives – has been with CGI’s local partner Carbon Green Africa (CGA).