REDD+: A Solution for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation

• What is REDD+?
• REDD+ Developments
• REDD+ Implementation in Indonesia
• Challenges and Prospects of REDD+

What is REDD+?

REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) is a global mechanism aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation while enhancing forest carbon stocks through conservation, sustainable forest management, and carbon stock enhancement. 

This program was first introduced at the UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) in Bali in 2007 and has since evolved into an incentive-based approach implemented in various tropical countries.

Essentially, REDD+ provides financial compensation to developing countries for maintaining their forests and reducing carbon emissions from deforestation. Funding for this program comes from various sources, including multilateral and bilateral aid, as well as voluntary carbon markets.

Read more:
Challenges in Voluntary Carbon Market

REDD+ Developments 

Since its introduction, REDD+ has faced both challenges and achievements. Several countries have developed national and subnational strategies to implement this program. However, funding constraints remain a major obstacle to REDD+ implementation.

According to Duchelle et al. in 2018, more than 50 countries have initiated national REDD+ strategies, and over 350 REDD+ projects have been implemented in tropical regions. However, only one-third of these projects have successfully sold carbon credits in voluntary markets. Additionally, most REDD+ projects are extensions of existing conservation programs rather than conditional incentive schemes as originally envisioned.

Another challenge is the involvement of local communities. Studies indicate that community participation in REDD+ remains limited, particularly in decision-making processes. Moreover, the social and economic impacts of REDD+ vary, with some projects providing welfare benefits to communities, while others restrict their access to forest resources.

REDD+ Implementation in Indonesia

Indonesia is one of the countries actively implementing REDD+. Some notable REDD+ projects in Indonesia include: Sungai Lamandau REDD+ Project, Central Kalimantan. This project aims to reduce carbon emissions through forest conservation and local community empowerment. 

A study by McGregor et al. in 2015 shows that this project adopts a multi-level governance approach, where international, national, and local actors collaborate in forest resource management. However, the project also faces challenges related to tenure rights management and funding transparency.

Another one is Katingan-Mentaya Project, Central Kalimantan. This project is one of the largest REDD+ initiatives in Indonesia, focusing on peatland protection and improving local community welfare. It utilizes carbon market mechanisms to fund conservation and forest management activities.

Challenges and Prospects of REDD+

While REDD+ offers a solution for reducing emissions from the forestry sector, it’s implementation still faces several challenges, including limited funding, as many projects rely on voluntary carbon markets that have not yet fully developed to support REDD+ on a large scale.  Additionally, policy uncertainty in some countries remains an obstacle due to unclear regulations related to REDD+ implementation. 

Read more:
From promise to reality: The uneven impacts of REDD+

The success of REDD+ also heavily depends on local community participation in forest management, which still needs to be strengthened to ensure the program’s benefits are more evenly distributed. However, with increasing attention to climate change and sustainability, REDD+ remains a crucial mechanism in global mitigation strategies.

Enhanced financial support and more inclusive policies can help the program reach its full potential. Consulting with experts can help your business take advantage of the opportunities of REDD projects, from forest conservation to emission reduction and optimizing benefits in carbon markets, while contributing to climate change mitigation with measurable sustainability strategies.

References:

Duchelle, A. E., Simonet, G., Sunderlin, W. D., & Wunder, S. (2018). What is REDD+ achieving on the ground? Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 32, 134–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2018.07.001.

McGregor, A., Challies, E., Howson, P., Astuti, R., Dixon, R., Haalboom, B., Gavin, M., Tacconi, L., & Afiff, S. (2015). Beyond carbon, more than forest? REDD+ governmentality in Indonesia. Environment and Planning A, 47(1), 138–155. https://doi.org/10.1068/a140054p