The Job Creation Law and REDD+: Possible synergies and challenges

Abstract

Key messagesThe Job Creation Law is intended to improve economic development through deregulating investment procedures and supporting entrepreneurialism in a typical market-oriented business model. The stronger legal basis for social forestry and multi-business forestry permit are intended to promote forest and environmental sustainability.As an overarching law, it mandates the alignment of other sectoral regulations. Synchronization between economic sectors is needed to ensure the sustainability of forest functions in supporting emission reduction.Both Job Creation Law and REDD+ promote entrepreneurialism, but efforts to generate rural ‘green’ jobs should also focus on aspects pertaining to rural labour markets, migration, and whether the appropriation of only forest-use rights (with highly technical requirements) would really benefit emission reductions and the livelihoods of marginalized rural communities.Before UUCK amendment is ready and ratified, it is important for the government to determine WPK area for results-based payments (a government-led program) and carbon trading purposes (which can be assigned to private sector).Further research is needed to understand to what extend Job Creation Law would affect the integrity of REDD+ designated areas (WPK), and how the law and REDD+ can together promote the creation of rural ‘green’ jobs and foster emission reduction from forestry sector.