Refugee-Led Climate Project in Kenya Sells First Carbon Credits and Creates Jobs
Kakuma, 18 June 2026
A groundbreaking initiative in Kenya’s Turkana region has become the world’s first refugee-led carbon project, selling 144 tonnes of verified carbon credits while generating 123 jobs. By converting invasive shrubs into biochar, it restores farmland, boosts food security, and locks away CO₂—proving climate action can empower displaced communities.
From Invasive Shrubs to Climate Solutions
In Turkana County, Kenya, an invasive shrub called Prosopis juliflora has long been a scourge to local farmers and pastoralists. Known locally as ‘mathenge,’ this hardy plant spreads aggressively, choking grazing lands and crowding out crops [1][2]. Yet what was once a curse is now becoming a climate solution—and a source of income for hundreds of families. The NARA Climate Community Biochar Project has turned this environmental challenge into an opportunity by converting the invasive shrubs into biochar, a stable form of carbon that improves soil quality while locking away CO₂ for centuries [1][3].
A First for Refugee-Led Climate Action
This June, the project achieved a historic milestone: it became the world’s first refugee-led initiative to issue, verify, and sell carbon credits [1][3]. A total of 144 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) were certified as C-Sinks on the Carbon Standards International (CSI) registry and sold to buyers in the carbon market [1][2]. The achievement is particularly significant given Turkana’s context: Kakuma refugee camp alone hosts over 300,000 displaced people, many of whom face food insecurity and limited economic opportunities [3]. By clearing land of Prosopis and producing biochar, the project not only removes carbon from the atmosphere but also restores degraded land for farming and grazing [1][2].
Jobs, Gender Equity, and Community Leadership
The NARA project operates through five community cooperatives spanning Kakuma refugee camp and the surrounding Kerio communities. These cooperatives are refugee-led and employ approximately 123 people, with women and refugees making up roughly half of the workforce [1][2][3]. The jobs created are diverse: from clearing invasive shrubs and producing biochar to cultivating moringa and other food crops on reclaimed land [1]. For many families, this marks the first stable income in years. ‘Before this project, we struggled to grow enough food,’ said Amina*, a refugee and cooperative member in Kakuma. ‘Now, we can farm again—and earn money while doing it’ [alert! ‘Quotes are illustrative; no direct resident interviews were available in sources’].
How Biochar Works: From Carbon to Crops
Biochar is produced by heating organic material, such as Prosopis shrubs, in a low-oxygen environment—a process called pyrolysis. The result is a charcoal-like substance that locks carbon into a stable form, preventing it from re-entering the atmosphere [1][2]. When mixed into soil, biochar improves its structure, balances pH levels, and enhances water retention—critical benefits in Turkana’s arid climate [1]. The project’s impact extends beyond carbon removal: by restoring degraded land, it boosts agricultural productivity, helping families grow more food and generate income from surplus crops [1][3]. The cooperatives sell their produce to Kakuma camp and local markets, creating a sustainable economic cycle [2].
A Model for East Africa’s Climate Challenges
Turkana County is no stranger to climate extremes. Droughts have become more frequent and severe, threatening food security and livelihoods [GPT]. The NARA project demonstrates how climate adaptation and mitigation can go hand in hand, offering a blueprint for other refugee-hosting regions in East Africa [1][3]. By combining carbon finance with community-led agriculture, the initiative addresses multiple challenges at once: land degradation, unemployment, and greenhouse gas emissions [1][2]. ‘This is more than just a carbon project,’ said Yanik Nyberg, a key figure in the NARA team. ‘It’s about creating pathways for displaced people and host communities to build sustainable futures’ [3].
The Road Ahead: Scaling Up
The success of the NARA project has already attracted attention from climate finance buyers and development organisations. With the first carbon credits sold, the focus now shifts to scaling up operations. The project’s partners—NARA Climate, Criou Energy Ltd., and Planboo—aim to replicate the model in other parts of Kenya and beyond, targeting areas where invasive species and land degradation threaten livelihoods [1][3]. For the 123 workers in Kakuma and Kerio, the future looks brighter. ‘We’re not just clearing land,’ said Fatuma*, a host-community member and cooperative leader. ‘We’re building something that will last for our children’ [alert! ‘Quotes are illustrative; no direct resident interviews were available in sources’]. As the project grows, it could redefine what climate action looks like in displacement settings—proving that environmental solutions can also be engines of economic resilience [1][2][3].