Abstract Recent studies have highlighted that, beyond socio-ecological issues, environmental policies must also tackle environmental-related inequalities and injustice to be efficient. This paper examines this assumption from an empirical perspective, focusing on deforestation reduction policies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). To this end, we mapped and analysed the United Nations deforestation and forest degradation reduction (REDD+) policy instrument in the DRC, along with the most relevant associated regulations, and policy documents issued or used in the DRC provinces of Tshopo, Kwilu, Equateur, Mongala, and Mai-Ndombe. The analysis of these materials was complemented by key-informant interviews from experts who participated in discussions and the design of REDD+ policies in the DRC at least over the past decade. The key findings of our empirical-based research indicate that the recognition principle of environmental justice received little attention during the preparation of REDD+ initiatives DRC. In a few instances, this principle was partially considered, but only bettedly, through the adoption of specific laws and ad hoc regulatory instruments, including Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and National Social and Environmental Standards. Regarding procedural justice, the World Bank and UN-REDD effectively made the consideration of these aspects a formal condition for DRC participation in the UN REDD+ process. Finally, the principle of distributive justice remains unfair because the profit-sharing system fails to provide local entities with sufficient resources to conserve the forests under their stewardship.
Majambu et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: