CIFOR Studying the Effectiveness of REDD+ Forest Allowances

In the fight against climate change, an international mechanism to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) is being championed as a possible solution. REDD+ has already resulted in many tropical forest countries developing policies and initiating projects aimed at reducing emissions. However, given the urgency of climate change, the world cannot afford to wait for the results of decade-long pilot projects to be made known. The information is needed, and it is needed now.

To aid the research and knowledge-sharing process, the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and its partner organizations are undertaking a Global Comparative Study (GCS) on REDD+ pilot projects in South America, Africa and Asia. GCS aims to provide REDD+ policy makers and practitioner communities with the information, analysis and tools they need to ensure the effective and cost- efficient reduction of carbon emissions with equitable impacts and co-benefits such as poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation.

Bolsa Floresta
In the Amazon, Riyong Kim Bakkegaard, an Australian PhD scholar from the University of Copenhagen, is leading five other researchers linked to CIFOR’s GCS to determine what lessons can be learned from a project called Bolsa Floresta (Forest Allowance).

One of Bolsa Floresta’s four components is responsible for paying riparian households 50 Reais (US$ 33) per month as a motivation for them to reduce their dependency on vulnerable forest resources. The other three components focus on providing alternative livelihood support, improving health and education, and empowering local community organizations.

Although it is too early to draw conclusions, CIFOR community surveys carried out by the team show that the number of forest fires has dropped since the onset of the project, while satellite data reveals a slight reduction in the rate of deforestation in the project area.

“I am optimistic,” said Bakkegaard. “I know there are significant challenges, but pilot programs like these are at least a start. This type of research that CIFOR is doing is helping to better understand if and how payments can actually achieve their objectives on the ground.”