Across East Africa and beyond, resource management authorities have begun to experiment with various payment for ecosystem service (PES) mechanisms for strengthening the governance of protected areas. Perhaps the most widespread of these are payment for carbon sequestration and avoided deforestation initiatives, in which finances are disbursed to forest users or managers via either trust funds or voluntary markets. Though often identified as a ‘triple win’ solution for biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and socioeconomic development, such potential benefits of course will only be realized if these initiatives are sustainably designed, effectively governed, and attentive to local perceptions of social and environmental justice.

Authors: Cavanagh, C.J.; Freeman, O.E.

Subjects: ecosystem services, incentive

Publication type: Chapter-R, Publication

Year: 2017