This original investigative report by The Ecologist Film Unit and Link TV's Earth Focus, which is now leading to calls for an overhaul of how the UN does business, shows the consequences of incentive programs like the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). A plant owned by India's energy giant Reliance Power is set to become the largest coal power project awarded carbon credits under the UN's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) -- which lets industrialized countries offset their pollution by investing in greenhouse gas reducing projects in developing nations. This investigation shows what can, and does, go wrong. It documents the displacement of village communities to make way for plant construction; the exclusion of villagers from the decision making process; and the broken promises -- the benefits promised but never delivered to villagers like free education, employment and healthcare. Thousands of acres of forest land are being destroyed to make way for the plant. Critics say that the project sets a dangerous precedent because it shifts investment away from renewable energy and supports coal, an industry seen as a leading cause of carbon emissions. Campaigners are now calling for an urgent overhaul of the way the Clean Development Mechanism is governed.

President Zuma watches as Supporters Assault Peaceful Demonstrators

A short time ago and in a meeting designed for engagement between President Zuma and communities & civil society, violence broke out when peaceful civil society demonstrators silently held up signs asking Zuma to stand with Africa.

Pro-Zuma supporters, many wearing the uniforms of COP17 volunteers then attacked the demonstrators in an act of mob violence.

Demonstrators were roughed up and some had to flee the hall.

While all of this went on, President Zuma sat up on the podium and remained quiet. Furthermore, it took nearly ten minutes before police entered the hall to restore order.

Siziwe Khanyile of groundWork states, This was our event, organised to communicate with President Zuma. We were then abused, kicked out, robbed, and manhandled by Zuma supporters disguised as COP17 volunteers.

Five African countries -- Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe -- agreed in August 2011 to create the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. The area not only allows elephants to roam free across borders, but creates a framework to protect and share their precious water resources. The Kaza, as it's called, is 29 million hectares -- about the size of Italy. And it may provide a model for transboundary resource management that can address the challenges of a changing climate. Jeff Barbee reports.

Planting Spekboom, a South African succulent that absorbs huge quantities of carbon dioxide, is creating jobs and helping check climate change. Jeff Barbee reports.