Institutional Mechanisms for REDD+ - Case Studies Working Paper

1.2.1 REDD+ BENEFITS
Based on a review of official documents 5 and interviews with stakeholders, most of the discussions on
REDD+ benefits are focused on how benefits will be captured rather than on how they will be managed and
distributed. REDD+ benefits are perceived as monetary payments, although there is recognition that other
benefits can be derived, such as improved community organization (sometimes called social capital); direct
employment; improved local infrastructure; and improvements in the local natural environment.
Over the past several years, a number of PES systems have emerged in México at the national and subnational
levels, which have generated a cumulative body of experience on managing and operating these
systems. It is likely that the REDD+ benefit-sharing mechanisms will build on existing PES systems or
improved versions of them.
1.3 MODELS FOR INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR
REDD+ BENEFITS
This study focuses on two systems that were chosen due to their potential role in future REDD+ systems
and their relatively well developed status:
� CONAFOR’s ProÁrbol PES system is the national, and most prominent, government-sponsored
system. Several other systems are directly or indirectly linked to it. Early in the REDD+ literature and
official presentations, the ProArbol system was presented as the model to follow for REDD+ programs.
However, recent support for this approach has waned.
� The carbon sales system in the state of Oaxaca is a voluntary system facilitated by Mexican
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that involves 10 communities. According to stakeholders
interviewed, this system appears to be one of the best examples of a functioning PES and offers
opportunities for gleaning best practices.
These two systems highlight tensions between national and sub-national approaches and efforts to develop
and implement REDD+ in México. In addition to these two systems, the case study touches tangentially on a
REDD+ pilot in the state of Chiapas and on the State of Chiapas‘ climate change strategy, which involves a
PES system. The Chiapas REDD+ pilot project was also facilitated by Mexican and international institutions
and has links to global voluntary carbon markets. This project is an early action pilot as the government
develops its REDD+ strategy. The project also was selected because of the links to USAID‘s Improving
Mexican Private Sector Competitiveness Program. However, because this is a pilot in its early stages, the
information available is limited.
1.3.1 CONAFOR’S PROÁRBOL PES
CONAFOR‘s ProÁrbol PES system was established in 2003 and is one of the first, and certainly the largest,
PES systems in México. 6 The system focuses on payments for water services and for biodiversity
conservation. Annually CONAFOR enters into five-year agreements with selected communities to protect
and maintain the forest cover of specific areas in exchange for financial compensation. Communities submit
applications to enter into the program and winning proposals are selected based on a scoring system that
includes the following factors, among others (Government of México, 2010):
� Area and location of the project;
5 National Forest Commission, 2010; SEMARNAT, 2010.
6 Torres-Gonzalez, J. El programa de pago por servicios ambientales en México. Presentation; Gobierno de México.
PRRGP INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS FOR REDD: CASE STUDIES – WORKING PAPER 5