Rights abuse allegations in the context of REDD+ readiness and implementation: A preliminary review and proposal for moving forward

Abstract

• This review reveals multiple allegations of abuses of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the context of ReducingEmissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) readiness and implementation.• Findings from the review should be transformed into opportunities for REDD+ to promote and strengthen the rights of Indigenous Peoples.• A rights-based approach to REDD+ requires engagement with indigenous men and women as rights-holders, rather than as project beneficiaries.• Parties should be pressed to investigate abuse allegations, enable access to justice, and develop grievance mechanisms within REDD+ processes.• REDD+ risks exacerbating issues of unsecured rights and pre-existing conflicts over land in the contexts in which it is being readied and implemented, unless it is re-oriented to enhance the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Evidence suggests Indigenous Peoples' undefined tenure rights will negatively impact REDD+ targets.• Ensuring the consistent participation of indigenous men and women throughout REDD+ processes is imperative, following clear guidelines for Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), and with capacity-building efforts for their effective participation.• Rather than being seen as a tool to discourage negative impacts, REDD+ safeguards must be reframed to recognise, inter alia, the key role of Indigenous Peoples in climate change initiatives and protecting forests.

Integrating tenure and governance into assessments of forest landscape restoration opportunities

“…The inequitable distribution of benefits emerged as a concern in many of the ROAM reports. Inequities in benefits distribution have also plagued REDD+ projects in spite of social safeguards, with indigenous peoples, women and poorer households tending to be left out (Larson et al 2015;Ickowitz et al 2017;Sarmiento Barletti and Larson 2017). FLR initiatives that fall outside the REDD+ umbrella are likely to experience similar outcomes, since many FLR interventions will have high opportunity costs for agriculture or may negatively impact secondary rights holders' access to resources.…”

La prise en compte du droit foncier et de la gouvernance dans l‘évaluation des opportunités de restauration des paysages forestiers

“…Penser des programmes dont les bénéfices seront plus largement partagés : La répartition non équitable des bénéfices est apparue comme une préoccupation majeure dans de nombreux rapports MEOR. Des projets REDD+ ont auparavant été minés par ce manque d'équité dans le partage des bénéfices : malgré des garanties sociales, les peuples autochtones, les femmes et les ménages les plus pauvres tendent à rester en marge de ces mécanismes (Larson et al 2015 ;Ickowitz et al 2017 ;Sarmiento Barletti et Larson 2017). Les initiatives qui sortent du cadre de la REDD+ risquent d'arriver aux mêmes résultats, puisque de nombreuses interventions de RPF se traduiront par des coûts d'opportunité élevés pour l'agriculture, ou risquent d'avoir une incidence négative sur l'accès aux ressources pour les détenteurs de droits secondaires.…”