The Green Economy and Constructions of the “Idle” and “Unproductive” Uplands in the Philippines

In the Philippines, green economy projects encourage the production of agro-industrial commodities ostensibly for climate change mitigation, environmental rehabilitation, and inclusive rural economic growth. This paper illustrates, however, how elite constructions of the uplands as being “idle” and “unproductive” precipitate low-carbon, agro-industrial crop production in the Philippine frontier. Based on field research from 2010 to 2012 (i.e., in-depth interviews with policy and market elites, participant observation, and archival document analysis), we argue that elites constructions of and discourses on the uplands as idle and unproductive have been carried over from the colonial period, albeit in more complex ways, to inform and legitimize agro-industrial policies and programs couched in the green economy vision of the country. Such discourses simplify green economy policies and undermine upland dwellers’ constructions of place. Our findings raise critical questions about the realization of the vision of the green economy in the Philippines and much of the Global South. Regardless of the inclusive growth discourse in the green economy program, elite constructions of the idle and unproductive uplands pose serious risks to upland environments and populations.