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CDM forest carbon sequestration projects in western China: An analysis using actor-centered power theory

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  • Ba, Feng
  • Liu, Jinlong
  • Zhu, Ting
  • Liu, Yonggong
  • Zhao, Jiacheng

Abstract

Forest carbon sequestration projects (FCSPs) were implemented as flexible emission trading mechanisms via the clean development mechanism (CDM). The CDM has successfully produced certified emission reductions (CERs); however, the sustainable development outcomes of CDM projects especially their socio-economic impacts on communities have been widely debated. This study introduces the implementation process for CDM FCSPs in China. We employ actor-centered power (ACP) theory as our main analytical framework to analyze the power process between actors and how this alters project outcomes. The results of our analysis demonstrate that the Provincial Forestry and Grassland Bureau, the County Forestry and Grassland Bureau, village cadres, and rural households were all powerful actors during the implementation process. Each actor had different power sources and influenced the behavior of other actors, which altered project outcomes at different stages. The village cadre was the most powerful actor, had the most complicated power sources, and altered project implementation the most. This study suggests that stakeholder consultation and community participation should be a requirement during the entire project cycle, but particularly in the project-design phase, in order to improve CDM forest carbon sequestration projects and better achieve their sustainable development targets.

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  • Ba, Feng & Liu, Jinlong & Zhu, Ting & Liu, Yonggong & Zhao, Jiacheng, 2020. "CDM forest carbon sequestration projects in western China: An analysis using actor-centered power theory," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:forpol:v:115:y:2020:i:c:s1389934119305374
    DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2020.102139
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    1. Hu, Yuan & Kuhn, Lena & Zheng, Wenxue, 2021. "Promote or Inhibit？the Effects of Forest Carbon Sinks Projects on Agricultural Development: Evidence from Sichuan, China," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315381, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    2. Hui Wang & Jinzhuo Wu & Wenshu Lin & Zhaoping Luan, 2023. "Carbon Footprint Accounting and Influencing Factors Analysis for Forestry Enterprises in the Key State-Owned Forest Region of the Greater Khingan Range, Northeast China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-21, May.
    3. Wu Yang & Zhang Min & Mingxing Yang & Jun Yan, 2022. "Exploration of the Implementation of Carbon Neutralization in the Field of Natural Resources under the Background of Sustainable Development—An Overview," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-28, October.
    4. Shusen Zhu & Hui Sun & Xuechao Xia & Zedong Yang, 2023. "Decoupling Analysis of Carbon Emissions and Forest Area in China from 2004 to 2020," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-15, July.
    5. Yiyuan Rong & Yanping Hou, 2022. "Farmers’ Willingness to Participate in Voluntary Field Water Management Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Projects Based on a Context–Attitude–Behavior Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-15, November.

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