Early REDD+ Implementation: The Journey of an Indigenous Community in Eastern Panama

Ignacia Holmes,Oliver Coomes,Catherine Potvin

doi:10.3390/f8030067

Ignacia Holmes, Oliver Coomes + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/f8030067

Copy DOI

Abstract

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) offers developing countries an opportunity to engage in global climate change mitigation through the sale of carbon credits for reforestation, avoided deforestation and forest conservation projects. Funding for REDD+ projects has increased in recent years and REDD+ projects have proliferated, but relatively few studies have, as yet, examined their implementation. Here, we present a synthesis of the challenges and lessons learned while implementing a REDD+ project in an Emberá community in Panama. Our case study, documented in four cycles of collaborative action research over 11 years, examines how local communities sought to reduce emissions from deforestation and benefit from carbon offset trading while improving local livelihoods. Through semi-structured interviews and participatory methods, we found that success with REDD+ hinges on broader issues than those widely discussed in the literature and in policy circles. Though economic incentives for participants and the equitable distribution of benefits remain important to project participants, our study finds that, in adapting REDD+ strategies to best suit community needs, the role of a support system for implementation (“bridging institutions”) and REDD+’s potential as a conflict resolution mechanism for tenure issues deserve more attention as key factors that contribute to meaningful participation in REDD+.

Highlights

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is an accepted climate change mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Programme (UN-REDD, US$227.28 million) [4]. Much of such funding is aimed at REDD+ readiness, assisting countries in preparing to develop and implement carbon mitigation measures
We present here the lessons learned from the project, identifying successes and barriers, and providing recommendations for future REDD+

Summary

Introduction

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is an accepted climate change mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It allows developing countries to contribute to mitigation by undertaking one or more of five activities: reducing emissions from deforestation, reducing emissions from degradation, conserving carbon stocks, managing forest sustainably and enhancing forest carbon stocks [1]. Programme (UN-REDD, US$227.28 million) [4] Much of such funding is aimed at REDD+ readiness, assisting countries in preparing to develop and implement carbon mitigation measures. Funding for early pilot initiatives comes mostly from the private sector through voluntary carbon

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion