Example 42: The Vecht is invaluable, or is it…? - Generating fundswith help of
Payment for EcosystemServices in the transboundary Vecht region
A river basin ecosystem such as the Vecht Valley includes characteristics and processes that
can be used by society and thus provide society with services. Changes in the ecosystem
generate costs and benefits for different stakeholders.
This project explored whether a PES scheme is a useful approach to support the
implementation of river restorationmeasures at a local water management level. In addition to
an ongoing planning process for transboundary floodplain restoration, a down-to-earth,
participatory research process was set up, establishing a single local stakeholder group to
identify costs and benefits, and simulate a negotiation for additional funds.
Some conclusions:
n
Floodplain restoration generates several significant costs and benefits that go beyond the
interests of water management;
n
Central costs and benefits e.g. for nature protection and tourism, influence each other so
that they are affected by themeasure’s detailed design and framework;
n
During the discussions, transboundary differences were less relevant than the differences
between stakeholders. However, different institutional settings resulted in a different
assessment of themeasure’s impact;
n
The simulated PES negotiation process generated some additional funds, e.g. to add
touristic features to the area. However, it did not raise the sum required by the simulation
to enable implementation of themeasure.
Stakeholders commented that:
n
In terms of tourism, themeasure is too small and the benefits too uncertain to bring
support;
n
In terms of nature protection, generating additional funds to support tourist activities is
not warranted as theymight harm nature;
n
For municipalities, the amount of funds offered also depends on the expected engagement
of other stakeholders;
n
Agriculture anticipates incurring costs and asks for compensation.
More information:
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n
On the other side, the costs of projects and local action should internalize their impacts on
ecosystems, so that they are included in the socio-economic evaluation of their
profitability. This supposes reference values to be integrated into evaluations for pollution
and “microeconomic” water withdrawals.
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THEHANDBOOK FORMANAGEMENT
ANDRESTORATIONOF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS INRIVERAND LAKE BASINS
7 ECONOMICAND FINANCIAL ASPECTS
