Greening the blue Pacific: Lessons on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+)

Race, Digby and Shah, Shipra (2024) Greening the blue Pacific: Lessons on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+). Forest Policy and Economics, 166 (3). pp. 1-14. ISSN 1389-9341

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Abstract

Across the Pacific, deforestation and forest degradation are driving the loss of ecosystem services. Increasing
recognition of the need for mechanisms that can bridge economic development and environmental sustainability
has led to the emergence of the broad concept of Nature-based Solutions (NbS), including Payments for Envi
ronmental Services (PES) such as ‘reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation’ (REDD+) of
forested areas. REDD+ projects are being piloted in the region, but the scale of adoption remains limited raising
doubts about whether the concept has much appeal beyond small-scale government-supported initiatives.
Although a relatively simple concept, it is proving difficult to translate into an appealing practice that is widely
understood and adopted by rural land managers. We conducted a review of the achievements and challenges of
REDD+ projects in Melanesia while drawing on global and regional lessons. Most projects are reaping the
benefits of enhanced community development, employment, capacity building, and stronger governance. Per
verse incentives, lack of systematic assessments of carbon offsets, poor stakeholder engagement, insufficient
feedback mechanisms, marginalisation of women, and the lack of prosperous and sustainable alternative live
lihoods remain key challenges. This suggests the need for developing policy mixes, understanding the drivers of
deforestation and forest degradation, addressing equity concerns, strengthening tenure security, removing per
verse incentives, and ensuring financially competitive conservation incentives for enhancing the appeal of
REDD+ to rural communities, policymakers, and the private sector, so its reach across the Pacific can be
extended.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Ecosystem services Forest conservation Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation Pacific Islands
Subjects:	S Agriculture > SD Forestry
Divisions:	School of Business and Management (SBM)
Depositing User:	Nirma Narayan
Date Deposited:	17 Jan 2025 03:39
Last Modified:	17 Jan 2025 03:39
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/14776

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