Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) is a global climate change mitigation strategy. REDD+ is an incentive-based mechanism that aims to reward financially for any emissions reductions initiated in 2007 by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP)-13. Sujata Shrestha et al. (2017) examined whether the REDD+ payment mechanism adopted in a REDD+ pilot project in Nepal is beneficial to the local forest users. REDD+ pilot project was implemented in three districts of Nepal for three years (2010-2013) with financial support from the donor agency. They estimated the economic contribution of the REDD+ payments to the total household income based on the questionnaire survey of 540 households who have received REDD+ payment. The study reveals that despite the payment provided economic benefits to the poorest families, the payment amount is too low. Hence it is insufficient to invest in livelihood enhancement activities as intended by the REDD+.

Full paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2017.09.001