Engaging Local Communities in Low Emissions Land-Use Planning: a Case Study from Laos

Jeremy Bourgoin,Jean-Christophe Castella,Andreas Heinimann,Cornelia Hett,Guillaume Lestrelin

doi:10.5751/es-05362-180209

Abstract

Bourgoin, J., J.-C. Castella, C. Hett, G. Lestrelin, and A. Heinimann 2013. Engaging local communities in low emissions land-use planning: a case study from Laos. Ecology and Society 18(2): 9. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-05362-180209

Highlights

During the past 5 years, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and enhancing forest carbon stocks (REDD+) has evolved as an important mechanism for introducing market-based initiatives as part of global attempts to reduce carbon emissions
We propose a landscapelevel approach to address potential conflicts related to carbon tenure and REDD+ benefit sharing
Our case study shows that a combination of relevant scientific tools, knowledge, and participatory approaches can help avoid the marginalization of rural communities during the REDD+ process

Summary

Introduction

During the past 5 years, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and enhancing forest carbon stocks (REDD+) has evolved as an important mechanism for introducing market-based initiatives as part of global attempts to reduce carbon emissions. The idea is to provide tropical forest countries with financial incentives from compliance and/or voluntary markets to preserve and enhance forest carbon stocks. In theory, this should be accompanied by biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic development in areas with low agricultural potential and limited market access (Campbell 2009). The concept of paying local stakeholders for avoiding deforestation and forest degradation and enhancing carbon stocks has found support among a wide range of actors (e.g., scientists, development practitioners, policy makers, local communities). Some scholars moderate the general enthusiasm by recalling the lessons learned from past integrated conservation and development projects, where win–win outcomes have remained elusive (Blom et al 2010, Hirsch et al 2010)

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