REDD+ readiness process in Cameroon: an analysis of multi-stakeholder perspectives

Abstract

Cameroon has been a keen participant in Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation plus conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks (REDD+) negotiations since 2005 and has engaged in activities to enhance the implementation of REDD+ . This article reviews progress on REDD+ readiness in Cameroon based on a multiple REDD+ functions framework. Results show that some progress has been made in terms of planning and coordination, institutional development, and the development of some REDD+ projects. Absence of a legal framework, inadequate procedures for stakeholder participation, slow progress in the development of a national strategy, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) challenges, and weak financing remain prominent constraints. Despite having one of the slowest REDD Readiness Preparation Proposal (R-PP) processes in the Congo Basin, stakeholders feel strong ownership because the R-PP was done almost entirely by Cameroonian experts. Some opportunities for improving REDD+ can be considered going forward, including the establishment of procedures for a broader participatory process, speeding up the operationalization of the National Observatory on Climate Change, making use of the ongoing forestry law reform, consideration of a carbon concessions concept, tapping from international initiatives to build on MRV, and improving benefit sharing and financing through the development of an appropriate and decentralized mechanism. Enhancing these opportunities is fundamental for successful REDD+ implementation in Cameroon. Policy relevanceThis article offers a new multidimensional approach to assessing the REDD+ readiness process in Cameroon. This critical assessment, which is done using six key functions, provides an opportunity for enhanced understanding of the process by policy makers, decision makers, and professionals with a view to enabling improvements in the readiness process. Furthermore, the article proffers a series of opportunities that the government and other relevant stakeholders can capitalize on to overcome current hurdles affecting the REDD+ readiness process. It is hoped that policy makers driving the REDD+ process in Cameroon will be able to incorporate the findings of this research into their strategic policy, formulated to advance the REDD+ readiness process. More importantly, it is hoped that the multidimensional framework applied in this study could be useful for assessing REDD+ in similar contexts in the Congo Basin.

The political economy of Readiness for REDD+

“…This lead article also compares and contrasts the four country case studies and sheds light on emerging REDD+ Readiness patterns and issues as well as lessons for improving REDD+ globally. Alemagi, Minang, Feudjio, and Duguma (2014), Agung, Suyanto, Galudra, and Maryani (2014), and Robiglio, Armas, Silva, and White (2014) present detailed country-level assessments of Readiness from Cameroon, Indonesia, and Peru, respectively. Besides using the framework of the comparative article (Minang et al, 2014a), each of these country articles discusses how national circumstances have influenced the process, such as motivations and ambitions, forest stakes, political environment/traditions, previous experiences in payments for ecosystem services, and power relations between civil society and government.…”

“…The Peru country analysis (Robiglio et al, 2014) discusses the complex interactions between REDD+ national-level actions and decentralized land-use planning processes at the regional level, super-imposed on local indigenous forest rights interests. The Cameroon (Alemagi et al, 2014) and Indonesia (Agung et al, 2014) analyses present interesting and contrasting Readiness processes within different time frames, but similar bureaucratic, multi-institutional, and cross-sectoral contexts. Ngendakumana et al (2014) reviews institutional arrangements for REDD+ in Cameroon.…”

“…Firstly, the engagement of many stakeholders in the REDD-Readiness processes showed that there is indeed a very considerable challenge to shift from the status quo that is associated with the current, generally high level of emissions to a different trajectory-i.e. some path dependency (Alemagi, Minang, Feudjio, and Duguma, 2014;Agung, Suyanto, Galudra, and Maryani, 2014;and Robiglio, Armas, Silva, and White, 2014). Although many stakeholders see such trajectory as intrinsically desirable, it requires shifts in the relations between national and local governments, as well as between the various sectors involved (Minang et al, 2014a).…”

Comparative Multi-Criteria Assessment of Climate Policies and Sustainable Development Strategies in Cameroon: Towards a GIS Decision-Support Tool for the Design of an Optimal REDD+ Strategy

“…Despite this potential, there is currently no comprehensive national approach to reduce deforestation and forest degradation in Cameroon [1]. While a number of initiatives (e.g., REDD Readiness Preparation Proposal (R-PP) and REDD Readiness Plan Concept Note (R-PIN), national workshop for the validation of R-PP) and institutions (REDD+ Steering Committee, Creation of a National Observatory on Climate Change (ONACC), creation of a National REDD Civil Society Platform) have been designed to advance REDD+ readiness in Cameroon, the lack of a coordinated approach has been a major setback [11]. The process is addressed in a piecemeal fashion complemented by major initiatives and projects implemented by multiple agencies and levels of government [12].…”

“…Thus, structural factors, such as financing, benefit sharing mechanisms and the monitoring of forest cover, which are basic in REDD+ initiation and implementation, are left behind [13][14][15]. These factors pose a major challenge to the current REDD+ readiness framework in Cameroon [11].…”