Exploring synergies between the clean development mechanism and national forest policies in India to advance sustainable development for a post-2012 climate policy

The study looks at forestry policies in India in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol (KP) to assess the possibilities for synergy between them. It assesses how far existing national initiatives, namely the Joint Forest Management and the more recent Forest Rights Act, are able to contribute to the dual objectives of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Article 12 of the KP specifically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while ensuring sustainable development for the host country. The paper analyses policy documentation in conjunction with key informant interviews to assess perceptions of and attitudes towards the CDM. Analysis of the in-depth key informant interviews identifies that the main obstacles to the CDM in its aim to bring about sustainable development are the lack of suitable lands for afforestation and reforestation, and access to those lands and the resources they provide for rural communities dependent on them for their livelihoods. Results indicate that the CDM is not generally seen as a success story and is failing in both its stated objectives. The findings underscore the importance of looking beyondthemonetaryaspectsbydevelopingotherincentives.Acomplementaryapproachtoassessmentandapproachesliesat the heart of the success and integrity of the CDM