Political Economy of Berau Forest Carbon Program Implementation
Abstract
Berau Forest Carbon Program (BFCP) is one of the first
demonstration actions of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest
Degradation Plus (REDD+) in Indonesia. The goal of the program is to develop
a sustainable natural resource management base-development model while
reducing emissions and environmental impact. This article explains BFCP
implementation in the point of view interest and political economy theories. In
its implementation, the program involved a cooperation amongs actors. In the
perspective of political economy, these actors interacted in the social and
institutional processes, bargaining for their interests. Although, there are several
interest are bargained, the remained concern was that environmental issues,
whether local or global, were security problem which should be done together.
There are some patterns of behavior shown in the interaction between actors.
Firstly, the Indonesia Government and Berau Government, whose main interest
is to conserve and protect the environment in the same time as encouraging local
economy. Secondly, local society, who is empowered in order to be primary
actor in the conservancy program. Thirdly, TNC, the non-governmental
organization, which act as a program designer for people empowerment. And,
fourthly, US Government through USAID as the donatur. US Government also
utilize the program to shift its responsibilities to protect the global environment
to Indonesia in the framework of deb for nature swap based on its TFCA
between the two government.