This study seeks to bridge critical gaps that remain in the understanding of social and environmental incentives and impacts at the interface between people, forests, and carbon. It explores the extent to which carbon sequestration projects can contribute to national sustainable development, and suggests avenues for project design and implementation to proactively enhance local benefits.
The authors assess the socio-economic and environmental impacts of three of the principal pilot carbon sequestration projects under way in Brazil, and one in Bolivia. All the projects have social and environmental benefits as well as local development potential. The Plantar project in Brazil has led to the maintenance of 1,270 direct jobs. In terms of carbon benefit, the Peugeot project will see 500,000tC sequestered over 100 years. The Bananal project has focused on environmental education to schoolchildren and community members, and project benefits expected by locals from the Noel Kempff project include land titling and sustainable forest management; these would stimulate local development and generate income.
Key recommendations and lessons arising from across the four projects include:
- the Plantar project’s local social and environmental impacts are undoubtedly significant, given the jobs that would be generated in several small and medium municipalities where employment opportunities are scarce;
- for the Peugeot project, it is fundamental that the project concept be transparent to other stakeholders from its inception;
- for the bananal project, partnership with government institutions in carbon projects needs to be formalised, with activities and budgets clearly defined throughout the course of the project to minimise political interference;
- the Noel Kempff project reflects a new type of partnership that is legitimised by the international community, but requires legitimation among multiple stakeholders.
