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Strengthening governance of climate change forestry: an Australian perspective

conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-23, 17:12 authored by Thomas BaxterThomas Baxter
Forests are the lungs of the Earth, delivering vital ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration. Restraining the rapid pace of deforestation and its resultant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is therefore one crucial component of climate change mitigation which demands urgent action. One obstacle to REDD+ is that many countries suffer regulatory capture of forestry policy, whereby industry interests prevail over community, national and international interests. This phenomenon is by no means unique to developing countries. As a potential antidote, authorities such as Professors Gunningham and Faure recognise the importance of enabling NGO involvement in the design and development of environmental policy and regulation, so as to provide a countervailing voice to industry lobbying. Professor Gunningham further recommends that the regulatory mix supplements state enforcement of environmental regulation with measures to empower the public (including NGOs) to act as surrogate regulators. Using a case study approach focused on PNG and Australia, this paper: • illustrates stakeholder engagement rules which currently impede transparency, accountability and effectiveness of forestry governance generally; and • argues that such rules must be reformed to harness the growing mobilization of civil society and empower local communities before large sums are delivered through REDD+ partnerships.

History

Publication title

Proceedings of the 2nd UNITAR-Yale Global Conference on Environmental Governance & Democracy

Editors

Benjamin Cashore

Pagination

1-19

Department/School

TSBE

Publisher

United Nations Institute for Training and Research and Yale Law School

Place of publication

http://conference.unitar.org/yale/redd-implementation

Event title

2nd UNITAR-Yale Global Conference on Environmental Governance & Democracy

Event Venue

Yale Law School

Date of Event (Start Date)

2010-09-17

Date of Event (End Date)

2010-09-19

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Environmental policy, legislation and standards not elsewhere classified

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