The United Nations announced recentlythe approval of the first carbon credits. These credits will be used in a global market aimed at reducing emissions.
The UN-run market was made under the Paris climate accord. It allows companies and countries to cancel out their extra emissions. They can do this by paying for projects that lower greenhouse gases.
But critics worry this carbon credit market is a way for governments and companies to pretend they care about the environment while still releasing emissions. This could hurt efforts to stop global warming.
The first credits issued in the new carbon market involve a project in Myanmar. A South Korean company helped start this programme. The credits created will count towards the climate targets of South Korea and Myanmar.
The project gives people cookstoves that burn wood efficiently. The stoves burn less wood and release less smoke when cooking.
This reduces harmful air pollution and protects local forests. Only 78 per cent of the population is expected to have access to clean cooking by 2030, according to the World Health Organization.
