Heterogeneous public preference for REDD+ projects under different forest management regimes

Abstract Successful implementation of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) projects depends on active support and participation by local households. It has been suggested that households’ support for REDD+ could be influenced by their socio-economic conditions, their experience with REDD+ projects and local forest management regimes. However, there has been little information about the effect of such contextual factors on public preference for REDD+ projects. Using a choice experiment survey in Indonesia, this paper examines heterogeneity on household preferences for REDD+ projects among three distinct forest management regimes: private, government, and community. We found that respondents in community regime are the most supportive for REDD+ projects whereas those in private regime are the least supportive. Current REDD+ interventions also have heterogeneous impacts on household preferences across forest management regimes. Added restrictions on forest-dependent livelihoods under REDD+ projects is the biggest concern of participating households; however, we note that involving households in decision-making and distributing REDD+ benefit for community projects could create a supportive environment for REDD+ projects. Female respondents from households with larger family size and limited land ownership are more likely to support REDD+ projects. These findings provide useful insights to design more targeted REDD+ projects.