Voices in the Forest: Unraveling REDD+ Discourse and Narratives in the Bale Eco-region, Ethiopia
REDD+ projects are viewed in environmental discourse as a centralized framework to assist ongoing initiatives to stop deforestation and forest degradation and to advance sustainable forest management. This case study captures the intricacy of REDD+ narratives and their practical implications throug...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Hasanuddin University
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Forest and Society |
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| Online Access: | https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/fs/article/view/35334 |
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| author | Aklilu Bekele Chorito Engdawork Assefa |
| author_facet | Aklilu Bekele Chorito Engdawork Assefa |
| author_sort | Aklilu Bekele Chorito |
| collection | DOAJ |
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REDD+ projects are viewed in environmental discourse as a centralized framework to assist ongoing initiatives to stop deforestation and forest degradation and to advance sustainable forest management. This case study captures the intricacy of REDD+ narratives and their practical implications through a qualitative methodology that includes in depth interviews and document analysis. We used snowball sampling to identify participants with diverse perspectives on REDD+ discourses. The interviews were conducted with 25 key informants who represented a variety of stakeholder groups. Discourse analysis was applied to examine contrasting perspectives of ecological modernization and civic environmentalism storylines and narratives on REDD+ implementation. Additionally, it utilized content analysis to explore diverse viewpoints on REDD+ key dimensions and strategic aspects to gain valuable insights from different stakeholder coalitions. We identified three primary discourse coalitions: promoters, moderators, and opponents. The promoters, predominantly consisting of government agencies and international organizations, view REDD+ as a market-driven, technocratic solution to climate change. The moderators, comprise mostly of regional authorities, universities and local institutions, who tend to advocate for a more balanced approach, emphasizing social justice, local empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods. Opponents primarily include the private sector, civil society networks, scholars, indigenous communities and small-scale farmers, express concerns about the potential negative impacts of REDD+, including on land tenure, cultural disruption, and increased inequality. Our analysis reveals the power dynamics at play, with dominant discourses often overshadowing local perspectives. We argue that a more nuanced understanding of these competing narratives is crucial for effective REDD+ implementation. By considering the diverse perspectives of stakeholders and addressing underlying power imbalances, it makes it possible to harness the potential of REDD+ to promote both environmental conservation and social equity in the Bale Eco-region.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-108e3b4d182f420f96ca2c028152a878 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2549-4724 2549-4333 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Hasanuddin University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forest and Society |
| spelling | doaj-art-108e3b4d182f420f96ca2c028152a8782025-01-04T09:24:12ZengHasanuddin UniversityForest and Society2549-47242549-43332025-01-019110.24259/fs.v9i1.35334Voices in the Forest: Unraveling REDD+ Discourse and Narratives in the Bale Eco-region, EthiopiaAklilu Bekele Chorito0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8006-6311Engdawork Assefa1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2160-6143College of Development Studies, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCollege of Development Studies, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia REDD+ projects are viewed in environmental discourse as a centralized framework to assist ongoing initiatives to stop deforestation and forest degradation and to advance sustainable forest management. This case study captures the intricacy of REDD+ narratives and their practical implications through a qualitative methodology that includes in depth interviews and document analysis. We used snowball sampling to identify participants with diverse perspectives on REDD+ discourses. The interviews were conducted with 25 key informants who represented a variety of stakeholder groups. Discourse analysis was applied to examine contrasting perspectives of ecological modernization and civic environmentalism storylines and narratives on REDD+ implementation. Additionally, it utilized content analysis to explore diverse viewpoints on REDD+ key dimensions and strategic aspects to gain valuable insights from different stakeholder coalitions. We identified three primary discourse coalitions: promoters, moderators, and opponents. The promoters, predominantly consisting of government agencies and international organizations, view REDD+ as a market-driven, technocratic solution to climate change. The moderators, comprise mostly of regional authorities, universities and local institutions, who tend to advocate for a more balanced approach, emphasizing social justice, local empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods. Opponents primarily include the private sector, civil society networks, scholars, indigenous communities and small-scale farmers, express concerns about the potential negative impacts of REDD+, including on land tenure, cultural disruption, and increased inequality. Our analysis reveals the power dynamics at play, with dominant discourses often overshadowing local perspectives. We argue that a more nuanced understanding of these competing narratives is crucial for effective REDD+ implementation. By considering the diverse perspectives of stakeholders and addressing underlying power imbalances, it makes it possible to harness the potential of REDD+ to promote both environmental conservation and social equity in the Bale Eco-region. https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/fs/article/view/35334Environmental discourseEnvironmental protectionDiscourse analysisSocial justiceREDD+ |
| spellingShingle | Aklilu Bekele Chorito Engdawork Assefa Voices in the Forest: Unraveling REDD+ Discourse and Narratives in the Bale Eco-region, Ethiopia Forest and Society Environmental discourse Environmental protection Discourse analysis Social justice REDD+ |
| title | Voices in the Forest: Unraveling REDD+ Discourse and Narratives in the Bale Eco-region, Ethiopia |
| title_full | Voices in the Forest: Unraveling REDD+ Discourse and Narratives in the Bale Eco-region, Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Voices in the Forest: Unraveling REDD+ Discourse and Narratives in the Bale Eco-region, Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Voices in the Forest: Unraveling REDD+ Discourse and Narratives in the Bale Eco-region, Ethiopia |
| title_short | Voices in the Forest: Unraveling REDD+ Discourse and Narratives in the Bale Eco-region, Ethiopia |
| title_sort | voices in the forest unraveling redd discourse and narratives in the bale eco region ethiopia |
| topic | Environmental discourse Environmental protection Discourse analysis Social justice REDD+ |
| url | https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/fs/article/view/35334 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT aklilubekelechorito voicesintheforestunravelingredddiscourseandnarrativesinthebaleecoregionethiopia AT engdaworkassefa voicesintheforestunravelingredddiscourseandnarrativesinthebaleecoregionethiopia |