Discuss the rationale and goals of the National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPA). In what ways does its action contribute to 'carbon imperialism'? Is this an example of the ‘solution as problem’ syndrome? Explain.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Varies. In 2008, the World Bank through various partnerships administered the National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPA) with the intended purpose of using market-based principles to generate substantial financial resources to address climate change - specifically through the practice of marketing carbon emissions. The carbon market, it is recognized has the potential to move huge financial flows to developing countries for mitigation and adaptation. It is in this respect that critics term this carbon imperialism, whereby the South is converted to a “carbon dump” while sustaining northern lifestyles. Applying market metrics to ecosystem service is designed to incentivize sustainability. At the same time the solutions becomes a problem because ecosystem processes are neither isolated nor produced for sale. While marketing the environment is an attempt to internalize environmental costs, it is not without hazard since a commodified environment becomes exchangeable. Thus if conditions change, such as a rising price for resources in a forest (oil, timber, minerals), the original conservation purpose may be overridden by a changed financial calculus. And, of course, for forest dwell-ers, pricing ecosystem services represents the loss of territorial control.