Abstract
This article examines common barriers to achieving adequate levels of forest resource governance in countries of Latin America. It looks at the deficiencies of the policy and regulatory frameworks affecting forests, the common failure to impose the rule of law, the main factors that constrain the effectiveness of government actions in the forest sector and at the political barriers to introducing reforms for change in governance structures. The elimination of these barriers acquires new importance in the implementation of successful REDD+ programs in the countries of the region.
Highlights
Governments in Latin American have tried to reduce deforestation, forest degradation, and improve the management of forest resources generally, but with disappointing results
While all-encompassing conceptual frameworks are useful in obtaining a detailed understanding of forest governance, this paper will focus on those issues where the government is seen as the principal agent to initiate action and reforms
After new regulations governing the use of forest resources were issued, 100 people died in clashes with military police in 2009 during violent protests by indigenous groups denouncing a lack of consultation and violation of their ancestral land rights overlapping with oil and mining exploitation projects [25,26]
Summary
Governments in Latin American have tried to reduce deforestation, forest degradation, and improve the management of forest resources generally, but with disappointing results. Faulty policy and legislative frameworks, weak rule of law, illegal logging, corruption, ineffectual forest institutions and various other governance failures have plagued forest management. The implementation of Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and improved resource management (REDD+) provides a new and unprecedented opportunity for reforming governance systems in the region. Beyond potentially considerable financing, the implementation of REDD+ schemes will require countries to organize exceptional efforts to improve the quality of forest governance [1]. The section looks at key challenges to improving the quality of forest governance common to most Latin American countries.
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