Title
Implementing REDD+ in the Seima Protection Forest, Cambodia
Author(s)
Diment, A.N.
Published
2015
Publisher
Cambodian Journal of Natural History
Abstract
Carbon sequestration in high conservation value forests has the potential to be a potent force in climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation, providing sustainable financing and off setting the economic drivers of deforestation. Avoided deforestation must be part of any global agreement, in particular in developing countries with rapid land-use change, where deforestation can be the dominant source of emissions. The Royal Government of Cambodia, with technical and financial support from a range of partners, is implementing a REDD+ readiness process, including work at demonstration sites. REDD+ development in Cambodia faces similar challenges to other countries, with complex tenure issues, high transaction costs, and low market demand. While project development is making steady progress, and readiness and capacity building efforts have relatively good support, no significant performance-based transactions have been made, and the resources to compete with drivers of deforestation remain very limited. Expectations from REDD+ are high: decision-makers, government agencies, donors, and especially local communities, risk becoming disillusioned if progress remains slow. Furthermore, high rates of planned deforestation outside of project areas, and widespread external threats to land and forest, may undermine public confidence in REDD+. We describe a case study from the Seima Protection Forest, a national demonstration site, where recognition of traditional forest user rights and support for indigenous communal land titles is part of the government’s forest co-management strategy.

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PUB15472