Side event #2254

Assessing the potential for multiple incentive mechanisms for ecosystem services provision

Thursday 2016.12.15 @ 13:15Multi-purpose room, Universal Building, 2nd floor

Incentives for Ecosystem Services from Sustainable Agriculture

Irene Hoffmann, Secretary, Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and

Agriculture (FAO, Rome)

Competing land uses causes reduction of ecosystem services and food security. This has costs to farmers and other sectors of society

ECOSYSTEM THREATS

BEST PRACTICES

Improved sustainable best practices and conservation activities are required to restore ecosystem services and protect biodiversity, improve productivity and diversify livelihoods

BUT: Farmers require support to overcome adoption barriers to implement best practices. Incentives are needed to help farmers to invest the time and capital to transition to more sustainable production and conservation activities.Livelihood diversification and access to higher-value markets renders sustainable practices attractive in the long-run

ADOPTION BARRIERS

How farmers can do more for biodiversity

To overcome these barriers, farmers require INCENTIVES to overcome SHORT-TERM needs and Support a LONG-TERM transition

“Approachesthat integrate ecosystem concerns to crop, livestock, forestry,fisheries and aquaculture practicesare increasingly being devisedand developed

But for farmers to adopt them, they require an integrated package of solutions, that renders sustainable practices affordable and financially attractive

Public programmes and companies fulfilling regulations

Public programmes and companies investing in sustainable agriculture to secure long-term supply

Voluntary investments to secure higher returns for sustainable production choices

Voluntary investments in social capital (not necessarily tied to good environmental stewardship)

Providing funds, seedlings, fencing materials to reforest, restore and conserve biodiversity

Training & financial support to develop alternative livelihoods (and reduce pressure on biodiversity)

Adding funds to invest in more efficient technology (eg. drip irrigation, fuelwood saving stoves, solar energy)

And easier access to improved and/or endangered breeds & seeds

Helping access rural credit to upgrade storage & processing capacity to shorten value chains

Training & financial support to access higher-value markets, e.g. certification

Capacity development in business and financial management

Investment in social interest projects (eg. handicrafts, education activities, gender or age- group specific activities)

Package of incentivesIncentives for Ecosystem Services from Agriculture (IES)

Public programmes and companies fulfilling regulations

Public programmes and companies investing in sustainable agriculture to secure long-term supply

Voluntary investments to secure higher returns for sustainable production choices

Voluntary investments in social capital

Promote the inclusion of livestock dimensions in policies (cultural, heritage and nature conservation) and in economic development planning

Provide secure tenure and respecting of livestock keepers rights.

Conduct or complete inventories of livestock diversity.

Promote investments in infrastructure, extension services, electrificationand water resources

in areas and livestock systems that produce rich bundles of ecosystem services.

and especially in remote and marginal areasto remove barriers to the economic viability of livestock systems that deliver habitat services.

Create labelling systems, niche markets and servicesEg. eco- and agro-tourism

especially inremote and challenging environments

for culturally unique produce derived from livestock breeds (eg. camel milk-based ice-cream)

Maintain vibrant rural communities by providing good of social services.

Include ecosystem services issues in school curricula.

Package of incentives for livestock keepers

Incentives for Ecosystem Services from Agriculture (IES)

FAO programme on Incentives for Ecosystem Services from Agriculture (IES)http://www.fao.org/in-action/incentives-for-ecosystem-services/en/