Glocal forest and REDD+ governance: win-win or lose-lose?

Global forest governance is moving incrementally forward. REDD+ is the latest forest instrument being promoted globally as a cost-effective mechanism. This paper addresses the question: Does a glocal (global to local to global) analysis of forest policies lead to the conclusion that REDD+ can deliver a win-win situation as proponents claim? Using a literature review and focusing on four countries, this paper argues that REDD+ can potentially address deforestation and climate change by mobilizing financial and human resources, and help developed countries through cost-effective measures and developing countries by channeling resources to them. However, there is a risk that REDD+ may become a 'lose-lose' instrument leading to irreversible commodification and tradeability of forests, exacerbating North-South conflicts, and marginalizing local communities.