REDD+1 is an economic incentivizing mechanism aimed at reducing or offsetting of carbon emissions in forests, while realizing multiple benefits alongside climate action. Engaging local stakeholders is crucial for its sustainable implementation and benefit-sharing mechanism. This study focuses on the knowledge and understanding of local-level stakeholders about REDD+ and its associated attributes, revealing significant knowledge gaps between areas with and without REDD+ ​pilot activities. For this, we conducted the semi-structured questionnaire interviews (n ​= ​136), key informant interviews (n ​= ​27), and focus group discussions (n ​= ​4) with local-level REDD+ ​stakeholders (LLRS) comprising both inside and outside of pilot project districts in three provinces of Nepal, by adopting the concept of socio-ecological systems (SES). Data were analyzed using a generalized linear model (GLM) and visualized through Sankey diagrams. The results indicate a poor understanding (29%) of LLRS on the REDD+ ​process, its relationship with forests, concerns among stakeholders, and its potential significance. The perception of REDD+ ​knowledge, mechanisms, and benefits significantly (p ​< ​0.05) varied across study areas, age groups, genders, professional backgrounds, educational levels, ownership of private forests, and types of household energy sources used among respondents. Despite receiving readiness funds, stakeholders’ comprehension of the REDD+ ​process remains limited, indicating suboptimal policy implementation. Knowledge gaps were influenced by social background, voices and choices, and the fear of REDD+ ​disrupting traditional practices among the LLRS. The study emphasizes the need to redress the concerns of LLRS by considering their social backgrounds and traditional practices through informed and participatory decision-making, enhance communication, transparency, and inclusive forest governance. The findings show that current external support has not sufficiently enhanced capacity among LLRS, suggesting the need for sufficient and sustainable support through national policy and financing mechanisms. Further, the study identified extremely poor REDD+ ​-related knowledge dissemination within communities, exacerbating challenges in implementation and benefit-sharing mechanisms, revealing the simplification of its process is essential. The study advocates for revising REDD+ ​-related policies to optimize benefits, ensure smooth implementation, realize fair and equitable carbon credits from forests, and foster shared responsibility and ownership among all stakeholders in climate actions through improved forest governance.

中文翻译：

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将当地利益相关者对尼泊尔森林碳信用额开始实现的 REDD+ 理解脱钩


REDD+1 是一种经济激励机制，旨在减少或抵消森林中的碳排放，同时在采取气候行动的同时实现多重效益。让当地利益相关者参与进来对于其可持续实施和利益分享机制至关重要。本研究的重点是地方利益相关者对 REDD+ 及其相关属性的知识和理解，揭示了有和没有 REDD+ 试点活动的地区之间的重大知识差距。为此，我们进行了半结构化问卷访谈 （n = 136）、关键信息提供者访谈 （n = 27） 和焦点小组讨论 （n = 4），与包括尼泊尔三个省试点项目区内外的地方级 REDD+ 利益相关者 （LLRS） 一起采用社会生态系统 （SES） 的概念。使用广义线性模型 （GLM） 分析数据，并通过 Sankey 图可视化。结果表明，对 REDD+ 流程、其与森林的关系、利益相关者的担忧及其潜在意义的 LLRS 了解不足 （29%）。受访者对 REDD+ 知识、机制和益处的看法因研究领域、年龄组、性别、专业背景、教育水平、私有森林的所有权和使用的家庭能源类型而异 （p < 0.05）。尽管收到了准备资金，但利益相关者对 REDD+ 流程的理解仍然有限，这表明政策实施不理想。知识差距受到社会背景、声音和选择以及对 REDD+ 破坏 LLRS 传统做法的恐惧的影响。 该研究强调，需要通过知情和参与性决策来考虑 LLRS 的社会背景和传统做法，从而消除 LLRS 的担忧，加强沟通、透明度和包容性森林治理。研究结果表明，目前的外部支持并未充分提高LLRS的能力，这表明需要通过国家政策和融资机制提供充分和可持续的支持。此外，该研究发现社区内与 REDD+ 相关的知识传播极差，加剧了实施和惠益分享机制方面的挑战，揭示了简化其流程至关重要。该研究倡导修订 REDD+ 相关政策，以优化效益，确保顺利实施，实现公平公正的森林碳信用，并通过改善森林治理促进所有利益相关者在气候行动中的共同责任和所有权。