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Carbon Credits in a Just Transition: Justice Implications of Scotland's Carbon Credit Schemes

Steiner Blasberg, Sara LU (2026) FMIM01 20252
Environmental and Energy Systems Studies
Abstract (Swedish)
Den skotska regeringen har åtagit sig att genomföra en rättvis omställning till en klimatneutral ekonomi till år 2045. En viktig del av klimatarbetet inkluderar restaurering av natur, för att minska utsläpp av växthusgaser och öka upptag i koldioxidsänkor. Regeringen driver för ökade privata investeringar i restaurering av natur, genom bland annat generering av kolkrediter. Denna studie syftar till att analysera hur dessa kolkreditprojekt – mer specifikt genom restaurering av torvmark och skog – stödjer eller hindrar en rättvis omställning. En kvalitativ innehållsanalys av policydokument, semi-strukturerade intervjuer och fältanteckningar genomfördes utifrån ett analytiskt ramverk som utgick från tre dimensioner av rättvisa – distributiv,... (More)
Den skotska regeringen har åtagit sig att genomföra en rättvis omställning till en klimatneutral ekonomi till år 2045. En viktig del av klimatarbetet inkluderar restaurering av natur, för att minska utsläpp av växthusgaser och öka upptag i koldioxidsänkor. Regeringen driver för ökade privata investeringar i restaurering av natur, genom bland annat generering av kolkrediter. Denna studie syftar till att analysera hur dessa kolkreditprojekt – mer specifikt genom restaurering av torvmark och skog – stödjer eller hindrar en rättvis omställning. En kvalitativ innehållsanalys av policydokument, semi-strukturerade intervjuer och fältanteckningar genomfördes utifrån ett analytiskt ramverk som utgick från tre dimensioner av rättvisa – distributiv, processuell, och erkännande.

Resultaten visar att det finns en tydlig diskrepans mellan politiska ambitioner om en rättvis omställning och lokalsamhällens upplevelser. En rättvis omställning uppfattas som ett politiskt begrepp utan verklig och konkret nytta för lokalsamhällen. Studien visar att kolkreditmarknader, genom projekt för naturrestaurering, har potentialen att skapa jobb och ekonomiskt inflöde till skotsk landsbygd. Samtidigt utgör markägarstrukturer det största hindret för en rättvis omställning. Andra utmaningar är att samråd och inkludering av lokalsamhällen är frivilligt inom befintliga ramverk. Slutsatsen av studien är att systemen för kolkrediter kan stärkas genom tydligare reglering, ökad transparens och förstärkt lokalt inflytande i markanvändningsbeslut. (Less)
Abstract
The Scottish Government has committed to achieving a just transition to a net-zero economy by 2045. As part of its decarbonisation strategy, it has promoted private investment in nature-based solutions through the development of carbon credit schemes. This thesis examines the extent to which carbon credit schemes in Scotland – specifically the Peatland Code and the Woodland Carbon Code – support a just transition and identifies challenges to these efforts. A qualitative content analysis of policy documents, semi-structured interviews, and field notes was conducted through the analytical lens of a three-dimensional justice framework – distributive, procedural, and recognition justice.

The findings show that there is a clear discrepancy... (More)
The Scottish Government has committed to achieving a just transition to a net-zero economy by 2045. As part of its decarbonisation strategy, it has promoted private investment in nature-based solutions through the development of carbon credit schemes. This thesis examines the extent to which carbon credit schemes in Scotland – specifically the Peatland Code and the Woodland Carbon Code – support a just transition and identifies challenges to these efforts. A qualitative content analysis of policy documents, semi-structured interviews, and field notes was conducted through the analytical lens of a three-dimensional justice framework – distributive, procedural, and recognition justice.

The findings show that there is a clear discrepancy between the political ambitions of a just transition and the experiences of local communities. A just transition is perceived by local communities as a political concept that delivers few tangible or meaningful benefits. The study finds that the carbon market, through the expansion of nature restoration projects, has the potential to create employment opportunities and generate economic influx in rural Scotland. At the same time, landownership structures are the most significant barriers to achieving a just transition, as they shape the distribution of benefits and the ability to influence decision-making. Additional challenges stem from the voluntary nature of consultation and community inclusion within current frameworks. The study concludes that carbon credit schemes could better support a just transition through clearer regulation, increased transparency, and stronger mechanisms for local participation in land-use decisions. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Steiner Blasberg, Sara LU
supervisor
organization
course
FMIM01 20252
year
type
H3 - Professional qualifications (4 Years - )
subject
keywords
Carbon Credit Schemes, Woodland Carbon Code, Peatland Code, Just Transition, Scotland
report number
ISRN LUTFD2/TFEM—26/5242--SE + (1–79)
ISSN
1102-3651
language
English
id
9222780
date added to LUP
2026-02-18 12:44:59
date last changed
2026-02-18 12:44:59
@misc{9222780,
  abstract     = {{The Scottish Government has committed to achieving a just transition to a net-zero economy by 2045. As part of its decarbonisation strategy, it has promoted private investment in nature-based solutions through the development of carbon credit schemes. This thesis examines the extent to which carbon credit schemes in Scotland – specifically the Peatland Code and the Woodland Carbon Code – support a just transition and identifies challenges to these efforts. A qualitative content analysis of policy documents, semi-structured interviews, and field notes was conducted through the analytical lens of a three-dimensional justice framework – distributive, procedural, and recognition justice.

The findings show that there is a clear discrepancy between the political ambitions of a just transition and the experiences of local communities. A just transition is perceived by local communities as a political concept that delivers few tangible or meaningful benefits. The study finds that the carbon market, through the expansion of nature restoration projects, has the potential to create employment opportunities and generate economic influx in rural Scotland. At the same time, landownership structures are the most significant barriers to achieving a just transition, as they shape the distribution of benefits and the ability to influence decision-making. Additional challenges stem from the voluntary nature of consultation and community inclusion within current frameworks. The study concludes that carbon credit schemes could better support a just transition through clearer regulation, increased transparency, and stronger mechanisms for local participation in land-use decisions.}},
  author       = {{Steiner Blasberg, Sara}},
  issn         = {{1102-3651}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Carbon Credits in a Just Transition: Justice Implications of Scotland's Carbon Credit Schemes}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}