REDD aims to spread environmental, economic and social potentials of forest to the communities in the developing countries at the same time contributing to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The programme allows donors in developed countries to chip in with resources and provide funds aimed at meeting these avowed objectives.
A Win-Win Situation for All
REDD finance mechanism tries to provide revenue streams to the right people at the right time in an effort to change their ways of using forest resources. Tropical countries would be compensated for reducing emissions caused by deforestation and land use. The urgency stems from the fact that these emissions account for a fifth of the global emissions. It is win-win situation for developed and developing countries. Government of Norway is in the forefront of these initiatives and has already pledged to spend up to $500 million annually to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in tropical countries.
Hype Generated about REDD and Inherent Dangers
In spite of all the hype that has been generated the project could end up as a double-edged sword if appropriate safeguards are not carefully built in and monitored on a regular basis. Although REDD has the potential to contribute billions of dollars to tropical nations for forest conservation and sustainable development, the mechanism could be hijacked by plantation companies for establishing large scale plantations on forest lands. Another ploy attempted would be the abandoning of unprofitable concessions under the guise of giving a prop to REDD initiatives. Corrupt politicians would merrily play along. This is the lesson emerging from the experience in Indonesia and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination of IUCN is aghast at what is happening.
Indictment of Indonesia
The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has expressed very serious concern at the way Indonesia is planning the programme. The committee feels that it would only increase conflict over land and alienate the indigenous communities. It says the government seems to dole out forest carbon concessions in the same manner that it is dealing with logging and plantation companies. In the worst scenario forest people could even be denied access rights to their traditional territories.
In an indictment of Indonesia, the Committee says Indonesia continues to lack any effective legal means to recognize, secure and protect indigenous peoples' rights to their lands, territories and resources. Indonesia already has more than 20 REDD projects under development. More than 80 percent of Indonesia's emissions result from deforestation and degradation of tropical forests and peatlands. The Committee has made a fervent plea to Indonesian Government to review its laws and the way they are interpreted and implemented in practice, to ensure that they respect the rights of indigenous peoples to possess, develop, control and use their communal lands.
Lessons to be learned
The lesson that has to be learned from the Indonesian story is that all is not well with much hyped REDD. Wheeler-dealers are sure to jump in to the bandwagon in an effort to make a fast buck and interests of forest dwellers are likely to get marginalized. Abundant caution needs to be exercised in pursuing REDD.
References
Urgent Action letter on Indonesia adopted by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), March 2009
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