Browsing by Author "Thwaites, Rik"

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Analysing REDD+ in Community Forestry: Has it Been Experienced Differentially at Different Households?
(2013) Poudel, Mohan; Thwaites, Rik; Race, Digby; Dahal, Ganga Ram
"There is growing consensus internationally that the policy instrument of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation in developing countries (REDD+) could be an effective way not only to reduce GHG emissions from the forestry sector, but also to enhance the bio-diversity and livelihood benefits of forests. Yet, there is a range of unresolved issues about REDD+, such as how this policy instrument will deliver multiple positive outcomes. In particular, the outcomes of REDD+ remain somewhat speculative in terms of how it will affect the livelihoods of local forest-dependent communities. This paper presents emerging results from research that examines the effects of REDD+ being delivered through Nepal's extensive community forestry agenda. The research explores the differential effects of REDD+ experienced by different households within selected villages in the Gorkha district of Nepal. The research reveals varying experiences by different households, with experiences closely correlating to the socio-economic attributes of households. For example, despite the 'no harm' goal of REDD+ for local communities, our research indicates that not everyone is experiencing the anticipated benefits of this new policy instrument. Although poorer and women headed households are privileged, provided support is limited and negligible to compensate the loss they have experienced. Households relying on subsistence forest farming are forced to seek alternatives with little additional skills or support provided, suggesting that poorer households may be doing much of the 'heavy lifting' for REDD+."
Changing Role of Local Institutions to Enable Individual and Collective Actions for Adapting to Climate Change
(2013) Gentle, Popular; Thwaites, Rik; Race, Digby; Alexander, Kim
"Studies and practices on commons have demonstrated that local institutions can develop institutional arrangements to manage resources such as forests and water and can ensure benefit sharing mechanisms in a sustainable and equitable way. The characters, functions and roles of local institutions required to manage commons are well studied and translated in practice. Few researchers have reported on the role of local institutions in adaptation to climate change and variability with little known about key characters and functions reqUired. This article is based on a case study research in the mountains of Nepal following a mixed method approach including in-depth interviews of various stakeholders, focus group discussions and household survey with rural community members of different well-being groups affiliated with Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs). The research examines the impacts of climate change on livelihoods of poor and potential of local institutions to enable local communities in individual and collective actions for climate change adaptation in the mountains of Nepal. The research further explores the mandate, role, functions and capacity of the CFUG, as one of the major local institutions in Nepal, and presents key characters and functions required to facilitate climate change adaptation. The research reveals that secure rights over resources, enhanced capacity, improved governance and support mechanisms, and a critical mass of poor as key factors to optimize the role of CFUG in pro-poor adaptation in the context of climate change and variability. The article stimulates a discussion around changing role of local institutions for pro-poor adaptation in the context of ongoing power relations and social hierarchy in Nepal."
A Reflection on the Role of Community Forest User Groups to Enable Vulnerable Communities to Adapt to Climate Change in Nepal
(2013) Gentle, Popular; Thwaites, Rik; Race, Digby; Alexander, Kim
"In Nepal, community forest user groups (CFUGs) as local institutions have demonstrated appropriate institutional arrangements to manage forest resources as commons. The characteristics, functions and roles of CFUGs required to manage commons are well studied and have been translated into practice. Less is known about the role of CFUGs, as local institutions, in managing local adaptation to climate change and climate variability, particularly the key characteristics and functions required to support vulnerable communities. Case study research on the issues of development of adaptation strategies by CFUGs and villagers of differing well-being groups in the mountains of Nepal is reported through qualitative and quantitative research methods. This research examines the role and potential of CFUGs as key local institution to enable vulnerable communities, individually or as a collective to promote actions for climate change adaptation in the rural hills of Nepal. Of interest are the mandates, roles, functions and capacity of CFUGs required to facilitate climate change adaptation to assist the most vulnerable communities. The research identifies that improved governance, enhanced capacity, knowledge and skills in mediating external services, and support mechanisms in knowledge and information are key factors to optimize the role of CFUGs in adaptation to climate change. More importantly, the research suggests that the success of CFUGs to assist the most vulnerable in communities depends largely on institutional ability to transform organizational policies, structure and practices, and delegate authority and power. These actions are pathways to build trust, empower, engage and allow the most vulnerable populations to use their rights to an equitable share of the productivity of the commons."
Social Equity and Livelihood Implications of REDD+ in Rural Communities: A Case Study from Nepal
(2015) Poudel, Mohan; Thwaites, Rik; Race, Digby; Dahal, Ganga Ram
"Despite growing international consensus that the use of the policy instrument REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation in developing countries) could be an effective way to reduce carbon emissions from the forestry sector and support bio-diversity with livelihood benefits, there are a range of unresolved issues, including potential implications for rural livelihoods. This paper presents results from recent research that examines social equity and livelihood implications of the piloting of REDD+ through Nepal’s community forestry system, within selected villages in the Gorkha district of Nepal. The research reveals the varying experiences of households, closely correlated to the socio-economic attributes of the households. Despite the ‘no harm and equitable’ policy, this research indicates that not everyone is experiencing the anticipated benefits of REDD+. Although poorer, women-headed and marginalized households are targeted in some ways (e.g. seed grants), the support is limited, and inadequately compensates the loss they have experienced in other ways (e.g. limited access to forests). Households bundling by caste may not necessarily address equity, but is likely to increase intra-caste marginalization."