Indigenous peoples' land rights and REDD: a case study

With the development of REDD (‘Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation’) policies, determining who can claim rights over the forest and who will receive the REDD benefits has many implications. While REDD has the potential to benefit them, indigenous peoples are concerned that REDD activities may fail to adequately respect their rights. Several international instruments recognize indigenous peoples' rights to land and their rights are also enforced by courts. However, there is often a gap between the protection granted by international law and how it is implemented in practice. REDD may increase this difference. The following analysis of Guyana's REDD plan illustrates the risks that indigenous peoples may incur.