In this presentation, the presenter assesses whether REDD+ interventions have had an impact on forest clearing by rural household, and the local contexts that have influenced any change in behavior. Although clearing by smallholders is increasingly dominated by large scale commercial actors, it still plays a non-negligible role in global greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing forest clearing by households was the main rationale for sub-national initiatives to reduce emissions from forests and forest degradation (REDD+). However, REDD+ interventions to reduce local forest conversion and use could negatively affect the livelihoods among communities.