Climate change and related disasters are driving millions from their homes. Now, a new UN initiative aims to put these very refugees to work offsetting the emissions of the world’s biggest producers.

Facing a US$7 billion (£5 billion) funding shortfall, the UN’s refugees agency has launched its Refugee Environmental Protection (REP) fund. The plan? To plant trees and install sustainable cooking stoves in camps, generating carbon credits to sell on the global market.

It sounds like a win for everyone: money for camps, jobs for refugees, and trees for the planet. But our research, carried out with our colleague David Harvie, suggests a darker reality. This is a system that generates questionable climate benefits, while locking refugees into low-wage labour to service the same economies that displaced them.

How the fund works

The fund aims to plant tens of millions of trees to offset carbon emissions elsewhere, while simultaneously providing employment for refugees and funding for UN refugee camps.

It uses donor funding to invest in tree-planting and clean cooking-stove programmes in and around refugee camps. (These cookstoves use electricity or burn liquefied petroleum gas rather than firewood – the cleanness refers to the fact that they’re considered safer for users because there’s less indoor air pollution, not because they are fossil-free).

The claimed carbon savings from these projects are then verified and registered as carbon credits to be sold to people or organisations who want to “offset” their own emissions. Revenues are used to replenish the fund, to improve the camp and finance new projects. Advocates also claim that clean cooking stoves will better protect women against gender-based violence, as they will have a reduced need to collect firewood.

The fund remains at a relatively early stage of development. Following pilots in Uganda and Rwanda, the UN plans to expand it to Brazil, Bangladesh, Kenya, Mozambique, Cameroon and Chad.

The impact on emissions

While the claims sound good, there are significant issues that mean the fund may well fail to reduce carbon emissions – and could possibly even increase them.

Many of the problems with schemes like these are now well known. The carbon credits industry’s self-regulation, combined with its lack of shared methodologies, undermines the credibility of its claims to reduce emissions. Key actors such as the multinationals that buy the credits or the landowners who generate them are also incentivised to overstate the climate benefits.

In addition, carbon credits rely on counterfactual estimates of what would have happened without the project. This is riddled with uncertainty, especially as climate change or reforestation can themselves alter how much carbon is saved.

These issues affect all carbon credits, even including the most rigorously verified – so-called gold standard-certified projects – which is the certification the UN’s fund will use.

The problem with planting trees

Most tree-planting schemes have very high failure rates, often seeing almost half the trees die in the first five years, while some can have mortality rates as high as 90%.

Poorly designed projects can also degrade soils, harm biodiversity and exacerbate water shortages. And as climate change increases the risk of wildfires, stored carbon could be released back into the atmosphere.

These problems have led many researchers to declare carbon offsets as false climate solutions that allow major emitters to continue polluting without any meaningful reductions. Indeed, much research has established that lots of carbon credits are effectively worthless.

The UN’s refugees agency has stated the fund “manages project risks according to high climate standards” and prioritises “measurable improvements in fuel efficiency and emission reductions.” It maintains that revenue is “transparently reinvested in community-driven projects”.

Who gets the carbon credit?

Refugees are paid to plant trees and assemble cookstoves, but the wages are extremely low. Comparable projects in Rwanda and Uganda suggest official wages range from around US$1.30 to US$5 per day, and are often less in practice.

By contrast, gold standard-certified reforestation credits typically sell for US$20–27 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent, 2025 prices. Using conservative estimates, the fund’s planned 20,000 hectares of reforestation could generate around US$3.2 million per year, or US$64 million over 20 years.

The UN frames the fund as a way to secure finance for refugee camps, but our analysis of the pilot projects shows a huge disparity between the value of the carbon credits and the money reaching the camps. For the 388,000 people across the three pilot sites, we estimate the US$3.2 million generated annually would contribute roughly 14% of current (insufficient) funding – and less than 5% what is required to provide adequate services.

While the money raised is a fraction of what’s needed to run the camps, the “value” created by refugees doing low- or unwaged labour goes beyond the direct dollar amounts. These credits have enormous strategic value for the buyers. By purchasing gold standard offsets generated by displaced people, major polluters gain a powerful social and environmental license to continue business as usual. That’s why much of the value appears to go not to the refugee workers, but to the companies buying the credits, and to the intermediaries who manage the transactions.

Much of the work involved in generating credits also comes from the use of clean cooking stoves. This labour is entirely unwaged, and is done primarily by women. Where gas is involved as a fuel for these stoves, the companies who provide it also benefit by securing a small but important market for their fuel. That’s one reason why exporting countries such as the US support clean cooking initiatives, even while opposing other climate measures.

The UN’s refugee agency rejects the characterisation of the fund as exploitative, framing it instead as a necessary “innovative financing” mechanism to plug a funding gap.

Ultimately, we worry the fund risks creating a form of climate maladaptation, where something seeks to respond to climate impacts but unintentionally increases vulnerability.

Similar to many aspects of the emerging green economy, the UN’s Refugee Environmental Protection fund risks making climate change worse while exploiting refugee labour. This perversely locks refugees into a green Sisyphean task: producing carbon credits that enable continued emissions, thereby worsening the very conditions that helped displace them in the first place.

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Eight years ago, Beadnell in Northumberland introduced a rule requiring all homes built on new sites to be used as permanent residences – preventing second homes and holiday lets.

The move came as the scale of the problem became stark – according to the 2021 census, around 61 per cent of the roughly 750 homes in the village were second homes or holiday lets.

Now, locals say the restriction has helped bring more year-round residents into the village and strengthened the community.

Beadnell, Northumberland, has banned second homes. (Image: Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS)

Chris, 34, moved to Beadnell with partner Olivia Coyle, 30, eight months ago after spending childhood holidays there.

Olivia Coyle and Chris Dobson with Ralf the samoyed, homeowners in The Kilns estate which can only be lived in as permanent residences. (Image: Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS)

He said: “There’s certainly more in terms of entertainment, pubs, cafes and that sort of thing compared to how it used to be.”

Olivia added: “One of the main reasons we wanted to buy here was because we didn’t want to be living next door to empty homes.”

Chris said the village still quietens down outside peak tourist months – but no longer feels deserted.

The Northumberland village was among the first communities to act against the explosion of second homes.

Beadnell, Northumberland. (Image: Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS)

It followed the example of places such as St Ives in Cornwall, where residents voted in 2016 to ensure new houses could only be used as a principal residence.

Norfolk coastal communities, including Burnham Market, have also adopted similar restrictions.

But the coastal beauty spot is still heavily dominated by holiday properties.

The Kilns estate which can only be lived in as permanent residences. (Image: Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS)

Jennifer Hall, 75, whose family has lived in the village for centuries, said: “In the summer, the place is packed out – you can’t get into a bar or book a table in a restaurant.

“Every place is crowded.”

But she explained that it is still quieter in the winter, adding: “There’s no lights in any of the windows.

“If you’re the only elderly person living on a particularly street, it can be lonely.”

Mrs Hall, whose ancestors arrived in the village in the 1600s, said tourism has long been part of Beadnell’s history.

Jennifer Hall’s family has lived in Beadnell since the 1680’s. (Image: Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS)

Her great-grandmother even built the village’s first hotel after marrying into a local fishing family.

She said: “It’s still a wonderful place and a lovely community, but it’s different.

“It was not until the early 2000s that we started having these commercial lets. They were built as investments.

“They’re also little tourist factories, if you like.”

Mrs Hall said soaring property prices have made it increasingly difficult for young locals to stay in the area.

She said: “Young people – perhaps working in the tourist industry and not particularly well paid – can’t afford to buy the types of houses that they’re cleaning.

“They can’t get private lets either, because the owners evict tenants and turn them into holiday lets.”

Others say second-home owners still play a vital role in the village economy.

Val Graham, 62, who runs Beadnell’s village shop, warned businesses rely heavily on visiting homeowners.

She said: “Without second homes and holiday lets, small businesses in Beadnell wouldn’t survive.

“Most of these second home owners and families support the small local businesses throughout the year, not just during holiday season.”

The debate has intensified since councils were given powers last year to double council tax on second homes.

Christopher Brown, a retired solicitor who bought a holiday flat in Beadnell in 2000 before moving there permanently, says the restrictions on new homes are understandable.

Christopher Brown, Home owner and holiday let owner Beadnell, Northumberland, who have banned second homes. (Image: Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS)

He said: “I think it’s a fair-minded thing, because it can then begin to build and strengthen the actual community and increase the size of it.”

But he questioned whether the council tax crackdown was the right approach, as less could be spent in local pubs and restaurants.

Mr Brown: “The double council tax is a bit of a blunt tool to extract money from people.

“You’re going from paying £2,500 up to £5,000 – that is £2,500 that could be spent in local restaurants and other businesses.”

The county’s police force broke down the door of 97 Longwestgate in Scarborough on Friday 6 March 2026.

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Following that raid, North Yorkshire Police applied to York Magistrates’ Court for a full closure order, which was granted on Wednesday, March 11 for a period of three months.

A partial closure order had recently been enforced at the address – which allows the occupier to remain but stops anyone else from entering without lawful reason.

A force spokesperson said: “The court found that a person had engaged in, or was likely to engage in, disorderly, offensive and criminal behaviour at the premises, that its use had caused serious nuisance to members of the public, and that there had been disorder near the address associated with its use.

“The order prohibits anyone from entering or remaining at 97 Longwestgate at any time, other than those with a reasonable and lawful reason to attend, such as utility providers, the landlord and their agents, or emergency services.

“It will remain in force until June 11.

“As the investigation began, members of the community safety team launched a multi-agency operation to speak to residents, offer reassurance and gather further information about problems in the area.”

“And it should go much further than the old Magna Carta, to enshrine the rights we have asserted over generations since: A free press, genuinely free; freedom of expression, and yes, that means on social media too; the proud British and liberal commitment to universal healthcare, free at the point of use – something else Farage wants to scrap.”

People in the city have around 55 ‘healthy years’ on average, according to a report

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A report set to be presented to Peterborough City Council shows average life expectancy in the city is the lowest in Cambridgeshire.

The Annual Public Health Report – which contains data compiled by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) – was presented to members of the Prevention Independence & Resilience Scrutiny Committee on March 10. Peterborough City Council’s Director of Public Health, Raj Lakshman, authored the report.

“In Peterborough, the average life expectancy at birth is 77.8 years for men and 81.9 years for women,” he stated. “Both are slightly lower than the averages for our local region, the East of England, and for England as a whole.”

The report also highlights how city residents can expect to enjoy significantly fewer healthy years of life – a trend which is declining sharply.

Mr Lakshman: “When we look at healthy life expectancy – the years people can expect to live in good health – the most recent figures for Peterborough show men can expect 55.6 healthy years, and women 55.2 healthy years.

“This is about five to six years lower than the average of other local authorities and, worryingly, has been declining sharply since 2014.”

The report is being presented as part of the council’s ‘Peterborough Get Moving’ initiative, a year-long campaign which aims to increase levels of health and fitness participation across the city.

“At Peterborough City Council, we are determined to add healthy years to every life and physical activity is one of the most powerful tools we have,” Mr Lakshman said. “Physical activity reduces our risk of the six most common preventable conditions that cause ill health and increase our chances of dying early.”

According to the Department of Health & Social Care, these six conditions are: cancers, cardiovascular disease (including stroke and diabetes), musculoskeletal disorders, mental ill health, dementia, and chronic respiratory disease.

The report noted that now is an especially good time for Peterborough residents to reconsider their individual health and fitness goals. It said: “With all the investment coming into Peterborough through Pride in Place, new swimming pool and sports facilities, the opportunities to get active are increasing.”

Mr Lakshman added: “Peterborough offers easy access to nature reserves, while the city offers a vibrant community – perfect for partaking in physical activity. Together, we can make Peterborough a city where everyone has the chance to live healthier, happier, and more active lives.”

The parade will be a celebration of the natural world and the environment

This year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Derry welcomes the changing of the seasons as we emerge from the darkness of winter.

The parade guide describes Spring as a time associated with flowering, growth and the fertility of the land and this year’s celebrations will see that long tradition continue.

Under the creative theme of ‘What we nurture will flourish and what we protect will endure’ the parade will be a celebration of the natural world and the environment.

READ MORE: St Patrick’s Day celebrations and events taking place across Northern IrelandREAD MORE: Belfast St Patrick’s Day celebrations 2026 announced as hundreds of events planned across the city

The City’s streets will spring to life with participants representing not only the diversity of nature but also our diverse communities in civic celebration.

The Spring Carnival Parade will depart Bishop Street Carpark at 3.00pm with crowds expected to gather in advance.

Route:

Starts: Bishop Street Carpark

• The Diamond
• Shipquay Street
• Whitaker Street
• Foyle Embankment
• Harbour Square Roundabout
• Strand Road

Finishes: Strand Road Carpark

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There will be accessible parking available in Foyle Street car park, with an accessible viewing area alongside.

There will also be a quiet space available in the Guildhall.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What’s On newsletter.

The application, submitted by Banks Homes Limited and landowner Michael Anthony Allan, is for land to the west of Drovers Lane in Redmarshall.

A planning application, submitted on March 5, seeks approval to construct 72 homes on a 4.99-hectare stretch of land.

The development would have 13 three-bed homes and 45 four-plus-bed homes, all two-storey, along with 14 affordable homes.

Of these, 10 would be available for ‘social/affordable rent’, and the remaining four for ‘affordable home ownership.’

As part of the plans, the development would also provide a total of 221 car spaces and 134 cycle spaces.

Banks Group has submitted the plans for the village. (Image: STOCKTON BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING PORTAL)

The proposed development, situated on the edge of the village, is designed to be arranged around a loop road, with new vehicle access off Drovers Lane and a pedestrian or cycle link towards Church Lane and the village.

A large public open space network is included in the proposal with a central and southern green infrastructure network, play area intended for village use and retained hedgerows. 

A tree on Drovers Lane will be retained as a focal point for the development.

Financial and economic benefits listed in the planning statement estimate the project would create about 68 direct and 97 indirect jobs over a three-year build period.

An anticipated £15.9million construction spend is also cited by Banks Group.

Plans are now with Stockton Borough Council and a decision is set to be made in the coming weeks.

A mum admitted that she’s “smug” about the fact that her toddler doesn’t need screentime in restaurants, saying she can’t help but judge other parents for allowing their kids to have screens

Sometimes, parents will just hand their phone or an iPad to their kid during a meal to placate them and avoid an impending tantrum. It can make life easier, but some people are quite judgmental of them, labelling these children “iPad kids” and wondering how they can’t make it through a meal without an episode of Peppa Pig.

But one mum admitted she’s “really smug” about the way her toddler behaves in restaurants compared to other people’s children. She did share that she tries not to “be judgy” about parents, because it’s a really tough job, but one part of life she can’t help being judgmental about is restaurant behaviour.

“The one area where I just cannot keep myself from being judgmental and smug is when my 3-year-old has much better restaurant etiquette compared to older children,” she admitted on Reddit‘s ‘confession’ thread.

The mum continued: “Whenever I see a kid using an iPad in a restaurant, my gut reaction is judgment and feeling so smug that my much younger child can sit through a meal without needing constant stimulation.

“We used to bring activities like small toys or colouring books, but now she will just quietly sit and talk to us at the table. Obviously, you can’t do much when the kids are under 2, but I see so many older and school-aged kids who seriously can’t go 15 minutes without an iPad?!

“And I know I should judge, and I try to tell myself over and over that I don’t know the situation….but my confession is that I secretly think you’re failing as a parent if you need to use screens the entire meal.

“The food and the company IS the entertainment. I’d never say it out loud to anyone, and I have friends who do the iPad that think they have valid justifications, but…restaurant etiquette and behaving in public is a *learned* skill, and they’re just choosing to opt out of it, and it’s really, really lazy”.

In the comments, someone wrote: “We were just at Disney and saw a mom with her maybe 10-year-old kid at Ohana breakfast at the Polynesian resort ($$$).

“Kid on a tablet the ENTIRE time and no other adults, so no social interaction at all for either of them, except when she grabbed the tablet out of his hands for character pics when they came around. I’m sure her Instagram told a different story. It just made me sad for all of them”.

Another mum agreed, saying: “I’m with you, my 10 and 7 year olds have never been given devices in restaurants, or waiting rooms, or watching the other one do their swimming, gymnastics etc. Kids need to learn patience and waiting. And it’s not an easy thing to teach them and stay consistent on (and my oldest has ADHD), so you should be proud of yourself.

“And yes, I am judgy about parents who haven’t pushed through on this one, because you’re depriving them of a life skill that is your responsibility to teach them. They’re not going to turn down an iPad if offered, they’re not going to potty train themselves, they’re probably not going to learn to love a variety of vegetables and healthy foods without your input – so sort it out, parents, this is literally our job!”

Someone else said something they can’t stand more than devices is kids running around restaurants. They fumed: “But I will also say that the thing that bothers me so much more than iPads and activities is when the parents allow the children (age 3-12) to literally RUN around the restaurant or other public place as if they were on a playground! THAT I cannot bear! If unruly behaviour is the only other alternative to a device, I appreciate the device”.

However, a Redditor tried to understand that some kids may need entertaining in this way, sharing: “I realise that some parents are just tired, and some kids also have disabilities that really require a screen just so parents can have a break. I feel really bad for those parents, they are trying their best”.

A mum of a disabled child thanked her for understanding, saying: “You get it. Thank you. My son spends HOURS in therapies each week to participate in public.

“From the time he gets home from school to bedtime, we have a behavioural technician teaching life skills and coping skills. He still acts like the Tasmanian devil in public because his nervous system is PANICKING and trying to leave the environment in any way he’s capable.

“The world becomes small and isolating, especially when you can’t leave your house. And then when you do try to enjoy an outing with your family, people glare and heavily suggest you shouldn’t be out in public with your disabled child in the first place, and then when you happen to have something on hand to help the tenor of the outing not disturb so many people, they then make posts like this judging you any way. We can’t win”.

And a single mum defended iPads, saying: “As a single parent with a kiddo who needs a lot of support, my kids have tablets at restaurants because that is the only time I get to socialise with other adults. I’ve worked hard to have the tablet be a special treat so they are occupied with it on the rare times we go out”.

It comes as the Metropolitan Police recently changed its policy to force cops and staff to declare Freemasonry membership to bolster public trust and transparency.

An MP bidding to require all police officers south of the border to declare if they are Freemasons says Scotland should follow suit.

It comes as the Metropolitan Police recently changed its policy to force cops and staff to declare Freemasonry membership to bolster public trust and transparency.

Tonia Antoniazzi, Labour MP for Gower, praised the Met for producing a “blueprint” for forces across the UK and warned Police Scotland shouldn’t be left behind.

We told last month how Scottish police said they were monitoring developments south of the border amid a legal challenge against the Met’s decision by freemasonry groups.

But in February, the High Court in London threw out the appeal and upheld the Met’s change requiring all personnel to report if they are members of any secretive, hierarchical organisation.

Antoniazzi told the Sunday Mail: “By the Met police doing what they’ve done and then winning their legal challenge, it shows this is a blueprint for police services across the United Kingdom to repair their relationships with the public and give them the opportunity to be open and transparent.

“I don’t think the Freemasons and other societies should block it in any way. They should be proud of what they do, they do great work in their communities. I’m not here to attack them. It’s ultimately about trust and transparency.”

She has introduced a ten-minute rule bill at Westminster calling for the move across England and Wales and hopes it can be adopted by the UK Government, having previously won backing from senior Labour MPs like Jess Phillips and Dame Diana Johnson.

It comes amid longstanding fears over police corruption linked to freemasonry. The centuries-old organisation requires new members to take an oath of loyalty to the fraternity’s principles and to help fellow masons.

Lodges have been linked before to an “old boys’ network” within Scottish policing that it’s claimed contributed to the botched probe into Emma Caldwell killer Iain Packer.

In London, the move was recommended by an independent probe into the Met’s handling of the unsolved 1987 murder of private detective Daniel Morgan.

A spokeswoman for the force said: “Police Scotland continues to keep this subject matter under review.”

Susan Aitken addressed suggestions that the vape shop where the fire started hadn’t been paying business rates.

The leader of Glasgow City Council has confirmed the vape shop where last weekend’s Union Street fire began was being pursued by the council’s debt company.

The fire began in a vape shop on Union Street on Sunday, March 8 and spread through the building and around the corner, where only the façade of the B-listed building at the junction with Gordon Street was left standing.

The remaining section of the historic building is being bulldozed “in the interests of public safety”. Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s The Sunday Show, Susan Aitken said demolition is taking place “round the clock” and Network Rail staff have started planning a phased and partial reopening of the upper level, hopefully by Wednesday.

But addressing suggestions that the vape shop hadn’t been paying business rates, Ms Aitken said: “They were being pursued through the usual channels the council would use for anyone who hasn’t paid business rates.

“They’d been contacted repeatedly by the debt recovery company that the council uses in these circumstances. The fire is obviously a matter for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.”

Asked if the incident raised red flags for business practices in the city more generally, Ms Aitken replied: “You could jump to all manner of conclusions… there is an investigation to be carried out and at the moment the council’s focus as the statutory building safety authority… is to make the site safe and support the affected businesses.”

On reassuring the public that the council are carrying out all of its statutory duties and regulating the premises where the fire stated, Ms Aitken said council statutory duties regarding to vape shops “are actually very limited”.

She explained: “They are registered but not as sellers of vapes but as sellers of nicotine products. That’s the only statutory duty we have towards them, so we do inspect them but on a trading standards basis to make sure they’re not selling to underage people, for example. There is no regulatory regime around vape shops at all.

“That’s something that’s a matter for the Scottish Parliament and MSPs to look into now.”

A multi-agency investigation is underway into the fire and no official cause has been confirmed, though lithium-ion batteries from vaping devices are understood to be the suspected origin.

John Swinney has said he is “open” to greater regulation of vape shops amid growing concerns about their safety, while Ms Aitken said the council is launching a public information campaign about the safe disposal of lithium-ion batteries, which have previously caused fires in the back of council cleansing vans.

“We’re very aware there is a fire risk associated with them,” she went on. “It is something should a future Scottish Government want to go ahead with… local government would want to work very closely with them on it…

“We don’t know what started the fire and it’ll be for fire investigators to tell us that but there are obviously now public concerns and you can’t put the genie back in the bottle”.

Ms Aitken welcomed John Swinney’s announcement of a multi-million pound recovery fund to help support Glasgow after the fire, and is meeting with architecture and design buffs this week to strategize the site’s re-build.

And while rejecting claims that Glasgow city centre is falling into disrepute, she admitted the council would like “far stronger powers” to force private owners to take better care of buildings, or else have their ownership removed.

She said: “There’s certainly a narrative that’s pushed about Glasgow city centre along those lines… but an unprecedented level of investment is taking place…

“We do have a challenge – we’ve got perhaps one of the biggest concentration of heritage buildings in any city in the UK in Glasgow city centre, the vast majority of which are in private hands.

“A lot of those private owners are not looking after those buildings as they should be… and I would like the council to have far stronger powers to enforce care of those buildings by those owners or to remove their ownership.”

She added: “We use more compulsory purchase orders than all of the local authorities in Scotland put together but they are legally challenging and expensive so there is a lot that’s beyond the reach of the council but… we hope to use this huge loss for the city as a catalyst to get others to think about what can be done.”

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