Author Hatcher, J.

Year of publication 2009

This paper attempts to contribute to the discussion of scaling-up the recognition of tenure rights within the efforts to reduce forest carbon emissions and to put the costs of recognizing tenure rights in a broader perspective. It is organized into three sections: first, an examination of the role of tenure in reducing forest carbon emissions and enhancing carbon sequestration capacities; second, an overview of lessons learned from legally recognizing customary tenure rights, and; third, an analysis of the costs of recognizing tenure and the projected costs of an international REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) scheme. Since it is increasingly clear that addressing tenure will be a necessary component of successfully implementing REDD programs (Cotula and Mayers, 2009; Meridian Institute, 2009; Gong et al, forthcoming) the analysis of the costs of recognizing tenure rights and the costs for REDD schemes put forth will hopefully be useful in informing international and national policy decisions and prioritizing actions aiming to reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation.