Recent research highlights the potential for climate change mitigation projects and large-scale land deals to produce conflicts over land and resources. However, this literature generally views climate change policies and land grabbing as separate processes, and focuses on discrete areas where displacement or contested claims occur. We argue that additional research strategies are needed to understand the social and ecological spill-over effects that take place within larger areas where land-based climate change projects (e.g. biofuel production, forest conservation, or hydroelectric projects) and large land-based investments (e.g. plantations or mines) are found. We propose adopting a landscape perspective to study intersections and complex interactions within and across social, ecological and institutional domains. By co-producing knowledge with local actors, building capacity with civil society groups, and informing advocacy that targets policy processes at multiple scales, we suggest that such research could contribute to preventing, resolving or transforming conflicts – even in places where difficult political transitions are underway.
Authors and Publishers
Hunsberger, Carol
Corbera, Esteve
Borras_Jr., Saturnino M.
Rosa, Romulo de la
Eang, Vuthy
Franco, Jennifer C
Herre, Roman
Kham, Sai Sam
Park, Clara
Pred, David
Sokheng, Heng
Spoor, Max
Thein, Shwe
Thu, Kyaw
Thuon, Ratha
Vaddhanaphuti, Chayan
Woods, Kevin
Work, Courtney
Data provider
The purpose of the Mekong Land Research Forum online site is to provide structured access to published and unpublished research on land issues in the Mekong Region. It is based on the premise that debates and decisions around land governance can be enhanced by drawing on the considerable volume of research, documented experience and action-based reflection that is available.