What is REDD+ achieving on the ground?

Abstract

• REDD+ bundles of interventions are highly diverse. • There is insufficient use of counterfactuals to attribute outcomes to REDD+. • Relatively few studies focus on the carbon outcomes of REDD+. • Non-carbon effects are small or insignificant, but depend on the intervention mix. • There is a need to boost local participation in REDD+ to help achieve positive outcomes. The Paris Climate Agreement recognizes the importance of the mechanism to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, and enhance carbon stocks (REDD+). We reviewed 45 articles from the recent scientific literature to understand the outcomes of REDD+ interventions on the ground, in terms of local participation in REDD+, and its carbon and non-carbon (e.g. tenure, well-being, biodiversity) goals. Our review finds few studies that use a counterfactual scenario to measure REDD+ impacts, and relatively little attention to carbon (versus non-carbon) outcomes. The few studies focused on carbon/land use outcomes show moderately encouraging results, while the more numerous studies on non-carbon outcomes (especially well-being) highlight small or insignificant results. To enhance REDD+ performance, these studies recommend improved engagement with local communities, increased funding to bolster interventions on the ground, and more attention to both carbon and non-carbon outcomes in implementation and evaluation