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Abstract:
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"Policies promoted under the banner of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) propose to achieve that goal, in combination with the conservation or sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks, through the establishment of robust markets for forest carbon. However, there are existing policies and practices that have already proven their ability to reduce forest loss, conserve forests through protection and sustainable management, and enhance forest carbon stocks. In Mexico, the experience of community forest management is characterized by the devolution of successively expanded property rights, especially timber rights, over sometimes-large forests, combined with community-level governance institutions that mobilize social capital and an intermittently supportive policy environment. This combination, along with factors such as emigration and reduced land-use pressures, has resulted in regions of the country where deforestation and degradation are nonexistent, forest cover and forest stocks have expanded, vigorous community democracy flourishes, options for sustainable livelihoods exist, and biodiversity is conserved. In sum, there are regions of Mexico that already resemble the anticipated outcome of successful REDD+ projects, even though no market opportunities for investors were created."
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