Young, Margaret A. --- "REDD+ and interacting legal regimes" [2016] ELECD 613; in Voigt, Christina (ed), "Research Handbook on REDD-Plus and International Law" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2016) 89

Book Title: Research Handbook on REDD-Plus and International Law

Editor(s): Voigt, Christina

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781783478309

Section: Chapter 4

Section Title: REDD+ and interacting legal regimes

Author(s): Young, Margaret A.

Number of pages: 37

Abstract/Description:

International efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation are being developed under the auspices of the UNFCCC and other bodies. REDD+ schemes have emerged in response to the recognition that a large proportion of GHG emissions originate from forest-related activities. REDD+ is based on the provision of incentives to encourage developing countries to avoid deforestation and forest degradation, sustainably manage forests, and conserve and enhance their forest carbon stocks.3 Interventions occur in the context of existing and fragmented norms and institutions relating to forests. These include international legal regimes for the protection of biological diversity, forest management and timber trade regimes, food security initiatives and indigenous peoples’ rights. This chapter situates the development of REDD+ within the fragmentation of international law and discourses surrounding pluralism and the interaction of legal regimes.4 It makes three points. First, REDD+ is itself emerging as an international regime, characterized by newly instituted and diffuse agencies (created from established bodies such as the FAO, the UNEP, the UNDP and the World Bank) and a broad range of state and non-state participants.