The effectiveness of payments for environmental services

We adopt a theory-based approach to synthesize research on the effectiveness of payments for environmental services in achieving environmental objectives and socio-economic co-benefits in varying contexts. Our theory of change builds on established conceptual models of impact pathways and highlights the role of (1) contextual dimensions (e.g., political, institutional, and socio-economic conditions, spatial heterogeneity in environmental service values and provision costs, and interactions with pre-existing policies), and (2) scheme design (e.g., payment type and level, contract length, targeting, and differentiation of payments) in determining environmental and socio-economic outcomes. To shed light on the overall effectiveness of payment schemes, and its determinants, we review counterfactual-based empirical evaluations, comparative analyses of case-studies, and meta-analyses. Our review suggests that program effectiveness often lags behind the expectations of early theorists. However, we also find that theory has advanced sufficiently to identify common reasons for why payment schemes fail or succeed. Moreover, payment schemes are often rolled out along with other policy instruments in so-called policy mixes. Advances in theory and evaluation research are needed to improve our understanding of how such policy mixes interact with the targeted social-ecological systems.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Börner, Jan, Baylis, Kathy, Corbera, Esteve, Ezzine de Blas, Driss, Honey-Rosés, Jordi, Persson, U. Martin, Wunder, Sven
Format:	article biblioteca
Language:	eng
Published:	Elsevier
Subjects:	P01 - Conservation de la nature et ressources foncières, K01 - Foresterie - Considérations générales, K70 - Dégâts causés aux forêts et leur protection, E11 - Économie et politique foncières, E50 - Sociologie rurale, E14 - Économie et politique du développement, déboisement, forêt, services écosystémiques, montant compensatoire, utilisation des terres, moyens d'existence, emploi, économie de l'environnement, politique de l'environnement, évaluation de l'impact, impact sur l'environnement, économie rurale, gestion des ressources naturelles, développement rural, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_15590, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3062, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1348040570280, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_28654, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_4182, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1374498089962, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_2550, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_92350, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_2597, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_37938, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_24420, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_29100, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_9000115, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_6701, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1920, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_4792, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1556, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8114,
Online Access:	http://agritrop.cirad.fr/584435/ http://agritrop.cirad.fr/584435/1/1-s2.0-S0305750X17300827-main.pdf
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