The March issue of Go-REDD+, a newsletter of the UN-REDD-Programme's Asia-Pacific team, highlights an article which suggests that REDD+ is based on an incentive scheme that would not work in fragile States that are dominated by corrupt governments.
14 March 2012: The March issue of Go-REDD+, a newsletter of the UN-REDD-Programme’s Asia-Pacific team, focuses on whether REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, as well as conservation, sustainable management of forests and carbon stock enhancement in developing countries) in its current form can be achievable by all States, and in particular in “fragile” States.
The article, authored by Alan Karsenty and Symphorien Ongolo, argues that the system of incentives on which REDD+ is based will not likely work in fragile States where corruption and dominance of private agendas are rampant. In these cases, the authors argue, REDD+ will only reward corrupt governments.
Instead, the authors propose that, in these countries, REDD+ should promote long-term capacity development focused on fundamental socioeconomic transformations, and incentive mechanisms that directly benefit local economic agents. [Go-REDD+ Newsletter Issue 14, March 2012]