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.