Community-integrated carbon trading: A pathway to environmental conservation and economic sustainability

Background: Severe climate change demands urgent global action, emphasizing the need for innovative strategies to mitigate climate change and reduce carbon emissions. Central to these efforts is the reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Engaging local communities in carbon trading initiatives plays a pivotal role in achieving sustainability, empowering them to contribute to climate change mitigation and promoting the adoption of renewable energy. Method: This study adopts the PSALSAR framework, which integrates PRISMA and SALSA, to conduct a systematic literature reflection on local community empowerment through carbon trading initiatives. The process includes six main stages: Protocol, Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, Analysis, and Report. The study refers to sources from the Verra Registry, focusing on the AFOLU (Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use) project category, and uses the PICOC framework to ensure research relevance. Findings: Carbon trading initiatives, such as the Blue Carbon Project in Colombia, the Kuamut Rainforest Conservation Project in Malaysia, and the Plum Project in Indonesia, focus on reducing emissions while empowering local communities. These initiatives promote sustainable practices and economic opportunities, aligning with broader sustainable development goals. The study reveals that integrating community empowerment with environmental conservation can lead to emission reductions, economic growth, and biodiversity preservation. Successful implementation requires collaborative partnerships and effective policy integration. Conclusion: Empowering local communities through carbon trading initiatives brings positive impacts across economic, cultural, environmental, and social domains. These initiatives highlight the importance of community involvement and collaboration among stakeholders for achieving sustainability. The study calls for further exploration of challenges and future research directions, emphasizing the transformative potential of community empowerment in carbon trading for a more sustainable future. Novelty/Originality of this article: It emphasizes the integration of environmental conservation with community-driven economic opportunities, demonstrating the transformative potential of such initiatives for sustainable development.