Assessing the Effectiveness of Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Program Implementation in Ethiopia: The Case of Oromia Regional State
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Date
2021-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The research was conducted to identify policy and strategy gaps, stakeholders engagement in
REDD+ implementation processes, institutional alignment challenges and financial resource
utilization gaps related to REDD+ program implementation in Oromia Region. Because there
was no research conducted specifically on the above-mentioned issues. In particular, the study
deals with the status of REDD+ implementation effectiveness in the Oromia region, REDD+
policy objectives and policy instruments, financial resource management efficiency and
transparency of the REDD+ implementation, and lastly state the stakeholder's engagement in
REDD+ implementation. The study was conducted using a fully qualitative research design. The
units of analysis of the study were from the Oromia REDD+ Implementation project the
professionals, wereda officials from both technical and steering committees, and local
communities from Nekemte and Chancho coordinating Centers. In doing so, Focused Group
Discussion participants and key interview informants were selected through probability and nonprobability sampling (multi-stage sampling and purposive sampling respectively). The data were
collected through semi-structured interviews, Focused Group Discussion, observation, and
document analysis. Finally forwards possible recommendations are presented in the last chapter.
The data was presented, interpreted, and analyzed qualitatively by narrative. The finding of the
study showed that the status of the implementation is challenged by the absence of a legitimate
and coherent strategy. Consequently, REDD+ implementation in Oromia as well as at national
level is led by the Climate Resilient Green Economy strategy. There are also federal
proclamations that directly contradict the goal of the REDD+ program. Therefore, the absence
of legitimate and coherent national/regional strategy made the REDD+ project implementation
source of contention. Regarding institutional arrangements, Federal Environment Forest and
Climate Commission found it difficult with Commission level Capacity to lead institutions with
ministerial portfolios. This institutional arrangement problem is a bit better at regional level as it
is led by regional vice president office. Financially, REDD+ project implementation at wereda
level ignored to do the external auditing to improve efficiency and transparency of the financial
utilization of the project and only internal audit is constantly conducted at woreda level. The
finding has showed that REDD+ implementation is not underway in a way that benefits the local
communities. The local community are not allowed to use the forest as farmland, grazing land,
the forests for construction material, even are not allowed to use the forest for firewood, or not
given other means of livelihood even if there is immense demand for the above listed needs.
Similarly there are national proclamations that are directly in contradiction with REDD+
implementation. These include the Forest Proclamation 456/2005 and Environmental Impact
Assessment proclamation 299/2002. Institutional arrangement such as including Ministry of
Foreign Affairs in national steering and technical committee, giving the leadership of the
national and regional REDD+ implementation program to Prime Minister Office and President
Office are critically important. Now the national Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Commission is leading the implementation of the program at Federal level so that the
commission is expected to coordinate big ministries such as Ministry of Agriculture to implement
the REDD+ program. Regionally it seems better as the vice president office is leading the
program implementation. Regarding financial resource utilization, only 69% of the 2020 budget
year finance were used and this was attributed to instability in Oromia region especially West
wollaga and Guji zones. On the other hand, even if external and internal audits are mandatory at
federal, regional and Woreda level, there is no external audit conducted at Woreda level.
Ethiopian government, till to date, is contributing nothing financially for the better
implementation of the REDD+ program. Generally speaking the REDD+ implementation in
Oromia region is ineffective due to the above mentioned bottlenecks.
Description
Keywords
Implementation, Legitimacy, Coherency, Stakeholder, Institution, Local Community, Finance