REDD+ alternatives, indigenous tenure security and local participation: exploring the regional institutional gap in the Peruvian Amazon

• In Event: The Evolving Struggle for Indigenous Territories in Latin America

Abstract

Facing the fragmentation of the Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) mechanism between global and local scales, and the limited effectiveness of its carbon and market-based approach, alternative climate mitigation programs have recently emerged. In Peru, these alternatives are of different nature, ranging from indigenous networks’ initiatives (Indigenous Amazonian REDD, RIA) to national governmental programs (National Program of Forest Conservation, PNCB). Their study in the Amazonian region of Madre de Dios is particularly relevant due to the institutional fragmentation around forests in the country, and the remaining challenges related to indigenous tenure security. In this perspective, this research aims to respond the following question: to what extent do REDD+ alternatives influence indigenous tenure security and local participation?
This paper examines how indigenous federations and the national government, through their respective programs, are attempting to promote co-management institutions that will fill a perceived gap in regional institutions in order to improve indigenous tenure security and facilitate effective local participation in the implementation of climate mitigation programs. First, we provide a background and theoretical framework on REDD+ mismatches in Peru and multi-scale governance. Second, we analyze the vertical linkages in the building and implementation of two REDD+ alternatives to identify the perceptions on tenure security and regional institutional gaps. Finally, we analyze the interactions among both programs and the role of co-management institutions, or intermediate indigenous networks, to fill the regional institutional gaps and improve indigenous tenure security and local participation.

Author

• Emilie Dupuits, University of Geneva, Switzerland