Stakeholder Participation in REDD+ Readiness Activities for Three Collaborative Projects in Lao PDR

Saykham Boutthavong,Makoto Ehara,Kimihiko Hyakumura

doi:10.3390/f8050150

Abstract

A key challenge for reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) in developing countries is to balance the power of various stakeholders in decision making. This study explores the forms of stakeholder participation in the implementation of three pilot projects in Laos, with a focus on who actually makes decisions on project activities. We found that stakeholder roles in making decisions were imbalanced. The central government and development partner organizations were the ones who actually fulfill the roles of decision-makers in most project activities. Although local communities were not the key stakeholders in decision making in most activities, their roles seem to have increased in the activities where participatory approaches were applied. Participation of the private sector, non-governmental organizations, academic and research institutes and mass organizations was limited. Opportunities to reach decision-makers regarding project activities came through service contract agreements. Our findings suggest that an understanding of who fulfills the key roles will support a decentralization of decision making by balancing power and redistributing the roles from dominant to weaker stakeholders. In addition, the private sector’s participation may enhance opportunities to harmonize their investments for supporting REDD+ development and reduce the negative impacts on the forests and the environment.

Highlights

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) [1] and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD+) were proposed at the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UnitedNations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2007 [2]
We aim to explore the forms of stakeholder participation in the implementation of the reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD)+ readiness activities in three pilot projects in Laos, with the principal focus on who participated in decision making for each activity
In the context of REDD+ pilot activities implementation in Laos, the final decision-making power is held by the central government, with support from the development partner organizations

Summary

Introduction

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) [1] and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD+) were proposed at the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UnitedNations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2007 [2]. Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) [1] and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD+) were proposed at the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United. The importance of stakeholder participation in REDD+ schemes is well recognized both at UNFCCC negotiations [2,4] and in several REDD+ projects [5]. Forests 2017, 8, 150 emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries [2]. Guidance and safeguards for policy approaches and positive incentives on issues relating to REDD+ (Appendix I, COP decision 1/CP.16, 2010) stipulate “the full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders, in particular indigenous peoples and local communities” for undertaking REDD+ activities [4]

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Discussion

Conclusion