Institutional Mechanisms for REDD+ - Case Studies Working Paper

PES experience, to ensure that future REDD+ benefits reach forest-dependent communities and other local
actors.
At the time of writing this analysis, México‘s REDD+ strategy had not been developed. Thus, this case study
is based on a review of REDD+-related documentation and the benefit sharing literature, including studies of
the effectiveness of PES programs in México, as well as a series of interviews with stakeholders from
different sectors. Data for this analysis also was gathered during field visits to a PES project and an emerging
REDD+ project from March 1–12, 2011.
The study is divided into the following three sections:
� 1.2 provides an overview of the REDD+ strategy and introduction to the envisioned REDD+
benefits and institutional arrangements for benefit sharing;
� 1.3 is an overview of two PES systems and two emerging REDD+ projects; and
� 1.4 provides lessons learned and recommendations.
1.2 OVERVIEW OF THE NATIONAL REDD+ STRATEGY AND
REDD+ BENEFITS
México‘s national REDD+ strategy is expected to be completed in 2011. Politically, it is important that the
strategy is adopted before the June 2012 presidential election because the next administration (starting
January 2013) might not recognize the strategy or would be reluctant to adopt it. 3 The majority of elements of
the REDD+ strategy, and the process to articulate the strategy itself, are currently under discussion by
different government agencies and stakeholder groups.
A review of official documents 4 and interviews with stakeholders (see Appendix 1.1) demonstrates a common
understanding that:
� The strategy should be holistic and build upon existing systems and policy frameworks;
� For successful implementation of REDD+, communities, ejidos, and indigenous peoples need to be
involved in the design and implementation of the strategy.
On the second aspect, there is recognition that representation, consultation and participation by local
community actors in the current REDD+ discussions are lacking, and that this omission is a major challenge.
This lack of representation is a critical gap in the context of México since communities control the use of
their resources and, therefore, cannot be forced to participate in REDD+, or might even reject it if REDD+
is perceived to be a threat to local livelihoods (see Box 1.1 for an overview of this issue).
3 Interviews with Antony Challenger (SEMARNAT), Santiago Enriquez and Gabriela Lozada (ABT Associates).
4 Official documents reviewed include: National Forest Commission, 2010; SEMARNAT. Comisión Nacional Forestal (National Forestry Commission
of México [CONAFOR]). 2010. Visión de México sobre REDD+: hacia una estrategia nacional. SEMARNAT. Online at
http://www.conafor.gob.mx:8080/documentos/docs/7/1393Visi%C3%B3n%20de%20M%C3%A9xico%20sobre%20REDD_.pdf (7/10/11).
PRRGP INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS FOR REDD: CASE STUDIES – WORKING PAPER 3