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Evaluating the impacts of a large-scale voluntary REDD+ project in Sierra Leone

Author

Listed:
  • Mandy Malan

    (RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research)

  • Rachel Carmenta

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Elisabeth Gsottbauer

    (London School of Economics
    University of Innsbruck)

  • Paul Hofman

    (Chr. Michelsen Institute)

  • Andreas Kontoleon

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Tom Swinfield

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Maarten Voors

    (Wageningen University and Research)

Abstract

Carbon offsets from the REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation) framework to protect forests are expected to see a 100-fold increase in market value by 2050. However, independent causal impact evaluations are scarce and only a few studies assess benefits to communities themselves, a core objective of REDD+. Following a pre-analysis plan, we use a before-after-control-intervention (BACI) framework to evaluate the impact of a large-scale voluntary REDD+ project in Sierra Leone—the Gola project. We use a panel of both satellite images and household surveys to provide causal evidence of the impact of the project on local deforestation rates and socioeconomic indicators over the first 5 yr of its implementation. We find that REDD+ slowed deforestation by 30% relative to control communities while not changing economic wellbeing and conservation attitudes. We find suggestive evidence that the programme increased the value of alternative income sources, by shifting labour away from forest-dependent farming activities. A cost-to-carbon calculation shows that REDD+ led to 340,000 tCO2 in avoided emissions per year, with an estimated cost of US$1.12 per averted tCO2. Our study contributes to developing an evidence base for voluntary REDD+ projects and offers a robust approach to carry out BACI assessments.

Suggested Citation

  • Mandy Malan & Rachel Carmenta & Elisabeth Gsottbauer & Paul Hofman & Andreas Kontoleon & Tom Swinfield & Maarten Voors, 2024. "Evaluating the impacts of a large-scale voluntary REDD+ project in Sierra Leone," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 7(2), pages 120-129, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:7:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1038_s41893-023-01256-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-023-01256-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Carrilho, Cauê D. & Demarchi, Gabriela & Duchelle, Amy E. & Wunder, Sven & Morsello, Carla, 2022. "Permanence of avoided deforestation in a Transamazon REDD+ project (Pará, Brazil)," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    2. Jeffrey R Kling & Jeffrey B Liebman & Lawrence F Katz, 2007. "Experimental Analysis of Neighborhood Effects," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 75(1), pages 83-119, January.
    3. Jagger, Pamela & Rana, Pushpendra, 2017. "Using publicly available social and spatial data to evaluate progress on REDD+ social safeguards in Indonesia," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 59-69.
    4. Delacote, Philippe & Le Velly, Gwenolé & Simonet, Gabriela, 2022. "Revisiting the location bias and additionality of REDD+ projects: the role of project proponents status and certification," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    5. Gabriela Simonet & Julie Subervie & Driss Ezzine-de-Blas & Marina Cromberg & Amy E Duchelle, 2019. "Effectiveness of a REDD+ Project in Reducing Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 101(1), pages 211-229.
    6. Beccy Wilebore & Maarten Voors & Erwin H Bulte & David Coomes & Andreas Kontoleon, 2019. "Unconditional Transfers and Tropical Forest Conservation: Evidence from a Randomized Control Trial in Sierra Leone," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 101(3), pages 894-918.
    7. Kenneth Gillingham & James H. Stock, 2018. "The Cost of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 32(4), pages 53-72, Fall.
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