Drivers of Deforestation

The Government of Cameroon is developing a national strategy to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) to ensure the country’s economic development does not compromise sustainable forest management. This national REDD+ strategy will introduce activities that increase the value of forests by transforming the forest landscape to a more productive ecosystem that sequesters carbon and safeguards forest benefits. UNIQUE was contracted to conduct a study that informs the design of the REDD+ program. Specifically, our tasks include conducting an analysis of the drivers, agents and underlying causes of deforestation, as well as barriers to achieving REDD+. Further analytical studies part of the assignment include the identification and prioritization of REDD+ strategy options and the design of a reference level.