University of Maryland LibrariesDigital Repository at the University of Maryland
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   DRUM
    • Theses and Dissertations from UMD
    • UMD Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   DRUM
    • Theses and Dissertations from UMD
    • UMD Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    A Forest of Complexity: An Ethnographic Assessment of REDD+ Implementation in Indonesia

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Enrici_umd_0117E_17693.pdf (82.23Mb)
    No. of downloads: 65

    Date
    2016
    Author
    Enrici, Ashley
    Advisor
    Hubacek, Klaus
    DRUM DOI
    https://doi.org/10.13016/M27241
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) is a global initiative aimed at curbing carbon emissions from forest cover change. Indonesia, one of the most biodiverse places on the planet with the third largest extent of tropical forest, has been extensively involved in REDD+. Despite commitments from the government of Indonesia and the international community, the deforestation rate has not stabilized or decreased in the years since REDD+'s introduction in 2007. As of 2012, it was arguably the highest in the world. While there is an extensive body of literature on REDD+, the need for grounded observations from the field could clarify existing challenges and inform future pursuits. This dissertation presents the results of over two years of ethnographic research in Indonesia on REDD+. Qualitative data collection techniques such as participant observation, site visits and interviews provide a rich tapestry of data that was analyzed in combination with scholarly literature and policy. The research finds that despite a number of changes to laws and regulations resulting from REDD+ implementation in Indonesia, weak institutional capacity and corruption have negated gains. The results of a case study of three REDD+ project sites identify important criteria at the root of success or failure: finance, community, boundary enforcement, monitoring, and outcomes of attempted carbon sequestration and biodiversity preservation. Challenges identified for each criteria include a lack of sufficient funding opportunities; inability to enforce boundaries due to corruption; and lack of a solid plan for involving communities. Carbon sequestration and biodiversity preservation results were mixed due to lack of monitoring and problems with encroachment. Finally the results of the qualitative data collection with stakeholders indicates a crisis of confidence among REDD+ stakeholders; cultural barriers to communication; a disconnect between international rhetoric and local reality; corruption and governance issues resulting in a lack of pathways for project implementation. I argue that changes must be made to Indonesian policy, monitoring technologies must be utilized, and stakeholders need to address some of the problems discussed here in order to save REDD+ from crisis.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1903/19004
    Collections
    • Geography Theses and Dissertations
    • UMD Theses and Dissertations

    DRUM is brought to you by the University of Maryland Libraries
    University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-7011 (301)314-1328.
    Please send us your comments.
    Web Accessibility
     

     

    Browse

    All of DRUMCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister
    Pages
    About DRUMAbout Download Statistics

    DRUM is brought to you by the University of Maryland Libraries
    University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-7011 (301)314-1328.
    Please send us your comments.
    Web Accessibility