Result-based payments for environmental protection: is it a good idea?

Result-based payments are emerging as a promising alternative to traditional (“measure-based”) ecosystem management, both in nature protection and in agri-environmental schemes. However, their definition, design and implementation can be challenging for the scientific communities and for decision makers. Problems relate to complexity, uncertainty, monitoring of outcomes, practical management and payment incentive structure. By combining brainstorming, debates and presentation of the state of the art, the workshop will reflect on these challenges, discuss diverging perceptions and solutions, and examine how iDiv scientists can better position themselves in the science–policy interface in this context.

We will discuss the questions: 1) What is a result-based payment ? 2) Are result-based payment programs the way forward for environmental protection? 3) How would an ideal result-based payment program look like? Following a short presentation of the state of the art, illustrated by real-life examples from the Common Agricultural Policy, and other programs, we will debate on 4) challenges and barriers to implementation, sources of complexity and uncertainty (e.g. scaling issues, unpredictability of biodiversity responses), on indicators and their monitoring, and how they affect incentive design. Finally, we discuss 5) the role of scientists and iDiv in the development of result-oriented programs in Europe. The work is linked with the strategic project iCAP-BES, particularly Action 1.2 which aims to improve targets and indicators and provide guidelines for monitoring of farmland biodiversity and ecosystem services.