Abstract

TAPASCO, Jeimar. Formalization of a payment model for environmental services in catchment areas and some of its effects on rural poverty. Cuad. Desarro. Rural [online]. 2009, vol.6, n.63, pp.87-105. ISSN 0122-1450.

Payments for environmental services (PES) schemes have been promoted as an efficient instrument in water resource management. Some authors go as far as to affirm that this tool will enable the alleviation of rural poverty. The present paper proposes a conceptual model which facilitates the implementation of PES through reducing transaction costs, using tools developed in other disciplines. Finally, the logic implicit in current literature on PES concerning the property rights of environmental services is refuted, and ensuing effects on rural poverty are analyzed.

Keywords : property rights; transaction costs; water economics; economics of soil erosion; environmental externalities.

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