Co-Benefit Analysis from the Implementation of the REDD+ Program in West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) remains a key mechanism to mitigate climate change in developing nations. However, forest degradation in Indonesia often stems from local livelihoods that depend on forest resources. Standard REDD+ implementations frequently fail when they overlook livelihood co-benefits for local villagers. This study analyzes how stakeholders in West Kalimantan recognize and generate co-benefits through the REDD+ program. Structural critical discourse analysis (CDA) is employed to examine the entanglement of micro-level community practices and macro-level forest governance policies, particularly following the implementation of Law 23/2014. Field data were collected between 2018 and 2023 through focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews across intervention villages. The results demonstrate that aligning emission reduction targets with community socio-economic welfare—specifically through non-timber forest product (NTFP) development and silvofishery—enabled the program to achieve 293,142 tCO₂e in emission reductions (representing 97.71% of the planned minimum target). Furthermore, the welfare performance, evaluated qualitatively through the IDM’s assessment, shows that the status of a very underdeveloped village, which was attributed to the intervened villages, has been reduced to none. Also, villages transitioning from "Developing" to “Developed” to "Independent" village status experienced reductions in village welfare. These all indicate > 80% improvement in villagers' livelihoods. I conclude that securing tangible local co-benefits is essential for sustaining long-term carbon mitigation outcomes in tropical forest landscapes.