Deconstructing the policyscape for reducing deforestation in the Eastern Amazon: Practical insights for a landscape approach

Abstract

In international debates on climate change mitigation and forests, there is increased recognition of the importance of a landscape approach to effectively address tropical deforestation. Such an approach, although increasingly promoted, remains only loosely defined and requires further development in order to effectively integrate different interventions at landscape level. In particular, it is important to understand the possible interactions between different landscape interventions at local level—where they are intended to have effect—and the challenges associated with them. Inspired by the complexity of policy mix analysis, this article seeks to shed light on these interactions by analysing how different policies and measures for reducing deforestation and degradation have played out in a jurisdiction with wide‐ranging actors and interventions aimed at shaping their behaviour. Focusing on smallholders, we examine the Sustainable Landscapes Pilot Programme in São Félix do Xingu, looking at how different policies interact—categorising interactions as “complementary,” “mutually reinforcing” (synergistic), “in conflict,” “interdependent,” and/or “redundant”—and explain how proponents of this pilot programme seek to integrate them. Most analysis is based on primary data collected through quantitative (i.e., random stratified sampling and surveys) and qualitative (i.e., observation and focus groups) methods. The São Félix do Xingu case shows that understanding effects of different policies and measures on people's behaviour requires a deeper look at local perceptions and reactions to such policies and measures, something most studies on the topic have overlooked. Ultimately, the heterogeneity and complexity of social practices that permeate landscapes must be recognised in order to integrate diverse measures to reduce deforestation.

What Hampers Implementation of Integrated Landscape Approaches in Rural Landscapes?

“…For instance, dependencies on donors resulted in a limited space to negotiate the funding conditions. Short-term goals of decision makers (democratic election cycles, associated donor project cycles) did not match with the time horizon of landscape goals and therefore posed problems regarding the planning of the trajectory of change [51]. Another case showed how the dominant role of large industrial and state forest companies left little space for participation of other stakeholders in integrated spatial planning [52].…”

Putting in Check the Brazilian Moves in the Climate Chessboard

“…Regardless of the perspective, it is a fact that the regional view allows including sub-regions (e.g., the Amazon, Andes, Meso-America, the Caribbean) or more local contexts into consideration, as done by Faria and Magrini (2016), Viana et al (2016), Davenport et al (2017), Bizzo and Michener (2017) and Gebara et al (2019). However, the purpose of this paper is to look at areas barely discussed in the LA regional context.…”

Lessons for Jurisdictional Approaches From Municipal-Level Initiatives to Halt Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon

“…Some of these actions were linked to REDD+ efforts as SFX was selected as an NGO-led pilot project. However, the REDD+ orientation did not last long due to changing priorities of local organizations (Gebara et al, 2019) and lack of donor funds. For instance, the Municipal Green Fund created to support the development of sustainable economic activities failed to attract funding.…”

“…This was triggered by Brazil's highest deforesters list that defined priority municipalities in order to tackle deforestation more effectively, through command-and-control actions such as credit restrictions and field-based law enforcement (Cisneros et al, 2015). Such strategies included municipal government-led programs and NGO interventions ranging from promoting environmental capacity building of local actors to pilot testing sustainable agricultural practices (Piketty et al, 2015;Gebara et al, 2019).…”