Verra has lifted the suspension on the Northern Kenya Grassland Carbon Project after an independent review confirmed the project met community governance requirements. The project, run by the Northern Rangelands Trust on land managed by the Chari Dedha Community, was suspended in January 2025 after a Kenyan court ruling questioned its legal setup. Verra required a new community ratification process under Kenya's Community Land Act, which included over 300 consultations and a vote by roughly 1,500 community members. An independent verification body then approved the governance and consent procedures, leading to reinstatement. The project now returns to active status on the Verra registry as Project 1468. Future verifications will keep monitoring compliance with ongoing legal proceedings. The review period led to stronger consent procedures, improved grievance mechanisms, and greater community benefit, according to project leaders. This case highlights how carbon projects can address governance issues and regain certification through rigorous community engagement processes.
