Assessment of effectiveness of social and environmental safeguards in the REDD+ pilot project in Kilosa district, Morogoro, Tanzania

Abstract

Climate change is regarded to be one of the global threats leading into increased temperatures, unreliable rainfall, unpredictable synchromes and storms. To date, efforts to reduce impacts of climate change rely on Reducing Emission through reducing Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) initiatives. Effectiveness of REDD requires safeguards to encounter risks associated with REDD+ activities. Research studies on safeguards in Kilosa REDD+ pilot project are limited. This study assessed the effectiveness of social and environmental safeguards on REDD+ pilot project in three villages involved in the project. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. A total of ninety households were randomly selected from three villages. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data while SPSS version 16 computer program was used for quantitative data analysis. More than 94% of the respondents were found to experience positive impacts of REDD+ activities on community livelihood contrary to 5.6% who perceived differently. A proportional (60%, 56.7% and 16.7%) of the respondent in Chabima, Nyali and Dodoma isanga respectively reported that the status of safeguards is very good. It was found further that majority of the local community are aware of REDD+ initiatives and safeguard measures. Results on perception of REDD+ safeguards shown that 55.6%,40% and 4.4% of the respondent reported that the safeguards are benefiting the local people; safeguards benefit the project and other reported nil respectively. It is therefore recommended that for successful implementation of REDD+ initiatives safeguards are needed to encounter the community livelihood to be explored and enhanced. Local community through safeguards should be assured on provision of appropriate incentives and stakeholders' consultation.