The voluntary carbon offset market is legitimated in climate policy debates at the global level and has incentivized a large number of afforestation and reforestation projects that have produced new power relations at the local level. This paper aims to critically examine how a contested Gold Standard certified project in Western Uganda has been justified, opposed and adapted during its implementation. Using a political ecology approach, this article sheds new light on the complexity of global-local interlinkages regarding carbon forestry projects and examines discursive power struggles. Taking a social constructivist perspective, I assume that due to their different values and experiences, actors have differing perceptions of the tensions and power relations arising during the carbon forestry project. Building on interviews and project-relevant certification documents, practices, narratives and counter-narratives were analyzed. The results show that while local actors were excluded from the forest, local communities and civil society actors have resisted against the company's management regime. Although the company remains the most powerful actor, more collaborative and moderate practices have lowered the conflict level. The case study shows that carbon markets need to be legitimated not only at the global level but also during the implementation in interaction with local constituencies.

中文翻译：

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谁的气候？谁的森林？乌干达有争议的碳林业项目中的权力斗争

自愿碳补偿市场在全球层面的气候政策辩论中是合法的，并激励了大量造林和再造林项目，在地方层面产生了新的权力关系。本文旨在批判性地审查乌干达西部有争议的黄金标准认证项目在其实施过程中是如何被证明、反对和调整的。本文采用政治生态学方法，对碳林业项目全球-地方相互联系的复杂性进行了新的阐释，并考察了话语权力斗争。从社会建构主义的角度来看，我假设由于他们不同的价值观和经历，行动者对碳林业项目期间出现的紧张局势和权力关系有不同的看法。在访谈和与项目相关的证明文件、实践、叙述和反叙述的基础上进行了分析。结果表明，虽然当地行为者被排除在森林之外，但当地社区和民间社会行为者抵制了公司的管理制度。虽然公司仍然是最强大的参与者，但更多的协作和温和的做法降低了冲突水平。案例研究表明，碳市场不仅需要在全球层面合法化，而且在与当地选民互动的实施过程中也需要合法化。虽然公司仍然是最强大的参与者，但更多的协作和温和的做法降低了冲突水平。案例研究表明，碳市场不仅需要在全球层面合法化，而且在与当地选民互动的实施过程中也需要合法化。虽然公司仍然是最强大的参与者，但更多的协作和温和的做法降低了冲突水平。案例研究表明，碳市场不仅需要在全球层面合法化，而且在与当地选民互动的实施过程中也需要合法化。