Efficiency and Potential Evaluation of REDD + Actions: Case Study From Muong Gion Commune, Quynh Nhai District, Son La Province, Vietnam

Wataru Yamamoto¹, Van Tuan Vu², Van Hung Pham³, and Yumiyama Daisuke⁴

1. IDES, Japan

2. Forest Science Centre of North Western Vietnam, Vietnam

3. SNRM Project Son La, Vietnam

4. Kokusai Kogyo Company, Japan

Abstract: The aim of REDD+ is to contribute to climate change mitigation by slowing forest loss and degradation and to increase forest carbon stock through the conservation, management and expansion of forest. Multisector approaches (considering the multiple functions of forests with livelihood enhancement) are taken with the participation of local communities and smallholders in the developing environment where the governance on land use has limitation. The objective of the paper is to evaluate the potential and efficiencies on forest carbon stock and livelihood enhancement of the REDD+ actions supported by SNRM project in Muong Gion commune, Quynh Nhai district, Son La province. The benefit of livelihood in the household and carbon stock increased/saved by each REDD+ action was quantified by comparing the project cost used for beneficiaries and estimated benefit of carbon stock and livelihood enhancement. The result showed that Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) undertaken by low-cost manners is the most efficient having a large potential for carbon stock enhancement followed by dissemination of Improved Cooking Stove (ICS). Agroforestry, fruit/forage contour cultivation on slope, demonstrated the largest livelihood enhancement efficiency with high potential. The low cost ANR with a result-based mechanism combined with other livelihood benefits, as well as dissemination of ICS and agroforestry overcoming the barriers (techniques, cost, labor and grazing damage) are recommended in order to establish a basis for sustainable natural resource management for multi-functional benefits. It is recommended to disseminate the project result in other locations and to reach the INDC target.

Key words: participatory natural resource management, provincial REDD+ Action Plan (PRAP), assisted natural regeneration, improved cooking stove, agroforestry