Investigating the Links between Drivers of Deforestation and Benefit-Sharing under REDD+

Janice Weatherley-Singh’s research project analyses the (missing) links between drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and benefit-sharing under REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation). The research explores whether and to what extent benefits generated through REDD+ projects and national strategies are responsive to the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, and thus the extent to which REDD+ can catalyze transformational change in sustainable forest use. It examines existing REDD+ projects and strategies at the local, landscape, national and international levels, with a specific focus on development and operationalisation of REDD+ in Madagascar. The thesis also analyzes lessons learnt from the EU Forest Law Governance and Trade (FLEGT) initiative in further developing REDD+ globally, nationally and locally as a catalyst for transformational change and/or identifying key hurdles preventing this.