Perceived benefits and costs of REDD+ projects under different forest management regimes in Indonesia

Abstract

Although Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) projects have been extensively trialled, the benefits and costs perceived by households are not fully understood. This study examined the benefits and costs perceived by households under private, government and community forest regimes in Indonesia. This study also analysed the interrelationships of households’ perception towards REDD+ with perceived benefits and costs, forest management regimes, and socioeconomic characteristics using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). In comparison to REDD+ benefits, perceived REDD+ costs by households have a stronger and negative influence on their support for REDD+ projects. Among three types of perceived benefits – social, economic and environmental, only environmental benefits are strongly associated with households’ support for REDD+. The perceived environmental and future benefits of REDD+ projects under a community forest regime are higher than private and government regimes. Therefore, future REDD+ projects under a community forest regime are more likely to be accepted. This information would be useful to design future REDD+ policy.