REDD – the realities on the ground

Kate Dooley

FERN

European Parliament, March 1st, 2011

REDD can only work if it addresses the

underlying causes of deforestation

Key questions:

•Who owns the forest?

•Long term planning for sustainable (economic, social

and environmental) development is an essential

element of tackling deforestation

There is consensus that REDD can only work if

it improves forest governanceStern Review; World Bank; ITTO; FAO; WRI; & long etcetera

Sequencing is key

Draft national REDD strategies

• Lack of recognition of rights of forests peoples

• No concrete proposals to address land conflicts and

outstanding land claims

• Biased analysis of the causes of deforestation

• Non-existent or inadequate consultations

• Re-affirm state ownership over forest lands

• Focus on MRV of carbon

• Narrow interpretation of governance

KEY LESSON: Participation in decision making

• Legitimacy of decision making processes requires participation from non-state actors

• Realistic timeframes needed

• This requires independent and functioning civil society

• Key success of FLEGT is the move from adequate consultation to

• Key failure of REDD is the lack of even minimum consultation requirements being met

genuine participation

REDD

meeting?

Some risks of ignoring governance...

1.Increased conflicts over land

2.Risks to livelihoods and culture of forest dependant

peoples

3.Risk to permanence of ‘REDD projects’

4.Corruption – incentives do not reach intended

beneficiaries

5.Lack of investor interest

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The campaigning NGO for greater environmental and social justice, with a focus on forests and forest peoples rights in the policies and practices of the EU

www.fern.org

t +32 (0) 2 894 46 98e e e e kate@fern.org