Summary
This research report from the International Institute of Environment and Development reviews the lessons learned from seven REDD+ (Reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) projects in Tanzania. It specically looks at lessons learnt from Tanzania's unique political, legal, and ecological situation, as well as from the pilot projects themselves, that could prove valuable to both future Tanzanian, and international engagements with REDD+. The authors review and synthesise findings from final project reports, other project documentation, general literature on REDD+, and global literature on other pilot projects. Additionly, a two-day workshop was held in Dar es Salaam with the NGOs who participated in the pilot projects. The authors identify limited economic viability due to low carbon stocks, high project costs, and a weakening carbon market as a major challenge, as well as the difficulty in establishing robust measurement and verification systems. They identify benefit sharing, individual payment approaches, and free prior and informed concent (FPIC) as promising approaches to encourage continued widespread support for REDD+ and strengthen community engagement in the projects, as well as in continued forest protection.