Social integrity and forest carbon markets in the Mekong region: A legal review of national frameworks in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam

This thematic study reviews the evolving national legal and policy frameworks surrounding forest carbon in Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam, centering on the concept of social integrity, and ensuring that the rights of all stakeholders, particularly Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IP&LCs), are clear and upheld. The analysis examines the legal basis for carbon rights, equitable benefit-sharing, Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), and effective mechanisms for grievance redress. While some legal progress has occurred, a significant gap exists between the current governance architecture and the conditions required to reassure buyers prioritizing high social integrity. For carbon markets to succeed and deliver mutual benefits, they must be inclusive, transparent, and underpinned by robust governance that respects the rights and interests of forest-dependent communities.