This paper will examine a landmark land management policy enacted to use the global market to increase environmental sustainability. This study involves an inquiry into environmental discourses; specifically, I will use discourse analysis methodology to analyze implications of the expansion of policy missions. Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is a global initiative to reduce carbon emissions put forth by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Policy reviews display a notable shift in language surrounding the purpose of REDD+. During negotiations, the Conference of the Parties (COP) was influenced by developing countries to expand the mission and include “forest degradation” and other aspects surrounding forest governance. This project was influenced by the ideas of mismanagement of land, pricing the environment and global governance. I will examine elite and official discourses to trace related national environmental policy before and after the shifts in REDD+ language occurred which offer insight into this puzzle. Mission expansion enacted by developing countries have economic motives associated with them so benefits are maximized. Stakeholder motivations have a significant contribution to the failures of international environmental policy.