Ensuring participatory and pro-poor Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes: Insights from ESPA Research

Abstract

Natural resources are vital for life but worldwide forests, watersheds, protected areas and mountain ecosystems are being degraded or threatened at an alarming rate. In Nepal, land degradation is a major issue and challenge. Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) is a pragmatic and innovative approach to managing ecosystems which recognises the key role of those who live, work or manage the land and watersheds as the custodians of ecosystems. PES sees those living or working on the land or watersheds offered incentives, usually financial, to safeguard environmental services with the aim of preventing, halting or reversing environmental degradation.

This briefing considers insights into Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) gained from research projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America supported by the Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation (ESPA) programme. It offers lessons into how PES projects in Nepal can best be put into practice to improve Nepal’s environment sector and reduce poverty among Nepalese people.