This paper analyzes the process through which a specific forest definition put forth by actors seeking to implement a « zero deforestation » objective in the palm oil sector has been institutionnalized. It demonstrates that this definition is a compromise between two orders of worth – industrial and green – and that its transposition from Indonesia to Liberia has contributed to its institutionnalization.
It also shows that actors have been able to reach such a compromise thanks to an initial balance of power created by one of the actors.
The article concludes on the consequences of the diffusion of such a forest definition. On the social side, while local populations and their familiar attachments to forests were at the begining not considered, they have been progressively integrated to the overall approach. On the environmental side, this approach seems to contribute to better forest conservation."
References:
Aubert Pierre-Marie, Herman Dominique, Laurans Yann, « Mesurer la forêt pour lutter contre la déforestation ? Une lecture pragmatique de l’émergence du "High Carbon Stocks Approach" », Terrains & Travaux 1/2016 (N°28) , p. 85-107
