Making global initiatives local realities: carbon mitigation projects in Chiapas, Mexico

Global,environmental initiatives create macro-level agreements,but the true test is how local communities respond. From 1995 to 2001,we investigated the evolution of Fondo Bioclimatico,a carbon mitigation project,using interviews and document review. Even under tremendous uncertainty the project grew seven-fold. Its social structure shifted from a development emphasis to a brokering relationship,from shared to concentrated power,from social fund to carbon bank. Social selection of systems with fewer tree species and single ecosystems is a concern for biodiversity. The challenge is to remain critical,monitor,and support indigenous communities in their endeavor to implement clean development mechanism projects. r 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.