Summary
Jurisdictional approaches to sustainable, low-emission development hold tremendous potential for advancing
holistic, durable solutions to the intertwined issues of tropical deforestation, rural livelihoods, and food security. With many jurisdictional “experiments” underway around the world, the time is ripe for a systematic assessment. This report provides an overall synthesis of jurisdictional sustainability across the tropics based on research in 39 subnational jurisdictions where there are intentions in place towards implementing a low emission development agenda. More specifically, it assesses progress on core elements of jurisdictional sustainability, including innovative policies and incentives, clear performance targets, transparent and accessible monitoring systems, inclusive multi-stakeholder governance platforms, sustainable agricultural initiatives, and recognition and respect for local rights, among others. The assessment also includes an in-depth analysis of deforestation and emissions (including drivers and agents of deforestation and forest degradation) and examines the potential implications of low-emission rural development (LED-R) strategies for future emission reductions. It also explores barriers to and opportunities for fostering jurisdictional sustainability.