22/04/2026
Do carbon credits really tackle the climate crisis?
In her interview with ZAM, Mira Sys , author and investigative journalist at Follow the Money , sheds light on how, from the beginning of carbon offsetting 30 years ago, carbon credits were used as a tool to avoid stricter climate regulations. What are the structural problems in the carbon offset market? How does a supposed solution to address climate change negatively affect farmers’ lives in Kenya and Uganda?
Together with her colleague Ties Gijzel, Mira Sys co-authored the book “Wie betaalt, mag vervuilen” (If You Pay, You May Pollute), in which they extensively examine the structure of carbon offset markets, the big players within, and their incentives. They reveal how polluters continue business as usual, with a questionable impact on mitigating the climate crisis and dire consequences for farmers in the global south.
Can we really buy our way out of the climate crisis?
Watch the full interview and find out.
Link in our bio.
The ZAM interviews on Carbon Offsets are inspired by Martin Siele’s documentary, Carbon Colony, in collaboration with Africa Uncensored . In their documentary, they revealed how Kenyan elites orchestrated an illegal land grab spanning thousands of hectares of land belonging to the Ol Donyo Nyokie Community Ranch, all under the guise of a carbon project. What are all the levels at play here? To connect the global and structural dots, ZAM interviewed Follow the Money journalist and author Mira Sys and Joanna Cabello, Head of research at SOMO . Watch both interviews by clicking the links in bio.
