Non-carbon benefits as incentives for participation in REDD plus and the role of village participatory land use plans in supporting this: insights from Kilosa District, Tanzania

This study assessed community perceptions on Non-Carbon Benefits (NCBs) as incentives for participation in Reduced Emission from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) and the role of Village Participatory Land-Use Plans (VPLUPs) in supporting this in Kilosa district of Tanzania. A mixed-method research design was used in the data collection. Results indicated that the majority (95%) of the respondents thought that VPLUPs had facilitated REDD+ implementation. The results also demonstrated that the REDD+ initiative remains an important source of NCBs. While the respondents believed NCBs were available and important to them, its future availability was somewhat of a concern. The respondents further indicated that the best way to improve VPLUPs (and consequently enhance the REDD+ related activities) and maintain the flow of NCBs, was to improve the knowledge of VPLUPs. NCBs should be considered in the planning, design and implementation of REDD+, especially considering that carbon markets remain questionable and unreliable.