Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has registered a total of 82 carbon trading projects, four of which have reached full implementation stage and are expected to generate revenue for the country while improving the welfare of its citizens.
Appearing at the parliamentary standing committee on Water and Environment in Dodoma on January 19, 2025, the minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Mr Hamad Yussuf Massauni, said carbon trading projects are currently being implemented in several local government authorities across the country.
These include the district councils of Tanganyika, Kiteto, Karagwe, Uvinza and Mbulu.
Carbon trading is an economic mechanism that allows for the buying and selling of carbon credits, with the primary objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A carbon project refers to any initiative implemented to generate internationally recognised carbon credits, which can then be traded on global markets.
Mr Massauni noted that carbon trading offers multiple benefits, including mitigation of the impacts of climate change, environmental conservation, and broader socio-economic gains.
He said the initiative contributes to economic growth, community development, policy advancement, technological progress and innovation.
According to the minister, tangible outcomes have already been realised through carbon trading projects, such as the restoration of natural vegetation, construction of social service infrastructure, and efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
He further explained that the National Carbon Coordination Centre plays a central role in overseeing the sector.
Its responsibilities include the registration of carbon projects, verification and validation of carbon credits and other greenhouse gases, and the development of scientific guidelines to support effective implementation.
“The Centre is mandated to prepare scientific guidelines that provide direction on various management approaches, policy frameworks and capacity building in technical aspects of the Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system for carbon credits and other greenhouse gases,” Mr Massauni said.
He added that the establishment of a robust institutional framework is essential to ensure transparency, credibility and sustainable benefits from carbon trading, while positioning Tanzania to effectively participate in the global carbon market.
Mr Massauni also presented to the committee a report on the structure and functions of the National Carbon Coordination Centre (NCMC).
