We examined the associations between social capital and rural households’ perceptions toward social, economic, and environmental benefits of forest carbon sequestration projects by employing the proportional odds model based on data collected from a rural household survey in Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces, China. Results revealed that: (i) households’ perceptions toward environmental benefits are more positive than their perceptions toward economic benefits and social benefits, and their perceptions toward economic benefits are more positive than their perceptions toward social benefits; (ii) households having a good relationship with village officials have higher odds of holding more positive perceptions toward social, economic, and environmental benefits of the projects; (iii) households which are members of local associations are more likely to have positive perceptions toward benefits of the projects; (iv) households whose members are more frequently involved in village-level public events are more likely to have more positive perceptions toward benefits of the projects; (v) households having more educated household heads have higher odds of holding better perceptions toward the benefits of FCS projects; and (vi) households of Yunnan Province are less likely to express positive perceptions toward benefits of the projects. Based on the research results, we concluded that social capital is significantly and positively associated with rural households’ perceptions toward benefits of forest carbon sequestration projects. Some policy implications are provided regarding how to make use of social capital elements to shape farmers’ perceptions toward benefits of the projects for the purpose of achieving a higher level of local acceptability for and sustainability of the projects.

We analyze survey data collected from interview of 367 randomly selected rural households from the Sichuan and Yunnan provinces of China to assess the influence of rural households' livelihood capital (physical, financial, human, natural, and social capital) on their income from participation in the forest carbon sequestration project. The project is implemented under the Climate, Community, and Biodiversity standards. Results show that, with regional differences controlled, natural capital and physical capital have a positive and statistically significant influence, whereas the human capital, financial capital, and social capital of rural households have a negative and statistically significant influence on their income from participation in the project. Spanish Se han analizado datos de encuestas recopilados en entrevistas a 367 hogares rurales seleccionados al azar en las provincias de Sichuan y Yunnan de China, con el objeto de evaluar la influencia del capital de medios de vida de los hogares rurales (físico, financiero, humano, natural y social) en sus ingresos procedentes de la participación en el proyecto de secuestro de carbono forestal. El proyecto se implementa bajo los estándares de Clima, Comunidad y Biodiversidad. Los resultados muestran que, una vez que se han controlado las diferencias regionales, el capital natural y el físico tienen una influencia positiva y estadísticamente significativa, mientras que los capitales humano, financiero y social de los hogares rurales tienen una influencia negativa y estadísticamente significativa en los ingresos procedentes de la participación en el proyecto. French Nous analysons une enquête de données issues d'interviews de 367 foyers ruraux des provinces chinoises du Sichuan et du Yunnan sélectionnés au hasard, pour évaluer l'influence de leur capital vivant (physique, financier, humain, naturel et social) sur les revenus dérivés de leur participation au projet de séquestration du carbone. Le projet est appliqué sous l'égide des standards climat, communauté et biodiversité. Les résultats indiquent qu'une fois les différences régionales contrôlées, les capitaux naturel et physique des foyers ruraux ont une influence positive et statistiquement importante, alors que les capitaux humain, financier et social ont une influence négative et statistiquement importante sur leurs revenus dérivés de leur participation au projet.