Thematic area: Climate, Environment and Energy. Sector: Biodiversity and Ecosystems

Follow-up on the EU-Brazil Dialogue on Payment for Ecosystem Services

Partners:    Ministry of Environment  /    Directorate-General for the Environment.  

Year: 2012

Project Overview:

The first stage of the Dialogue on Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), from October 2011 to June 2012, was coordinated by Brazil’s Ministry of Environment and by the Directorate General Environment, of the European Commission. Several national and international partners took part in this Dialogue, launched in the 4th Call for Participation of EU-Brazil Sector Dialogues Support Facility, and its continuity has now been approved by the 5th Call.
Two studies have been conducted in this context. The first examined five international PES experiences in public policy, with a focus on the EU and  countries with tropical forests or savannas. It also encompassed the lessons and opportunities in as well as challenges facing public policy in Brazil. The second study provided an overview of state-of-the-art PES experiences in Brazil, comparing them to international cases. These studies provided input for discussions during the workshop held in April 24, 2102, in Brasilia, which had in attendance about 100 technical staff, experts and leaders of various institutions, of whom 22 were speakers or debate facilitators.

As an outcome of the event, topics of common interest were identified, suggesting that the Dialogue should be continued. The biggest challenge remains engaging the private sector in PES strategies, as this sector plays a key role in fostering and promoting sustainable practices in the various supply chains, and thus can contribute to a greater appreciation of forests and the well-being of rural populations.

The Ministry of Environment, through the Brazil-Germany Cooperation Project called "Protection of the Atlantic Forest II," created a Learning Community on Payments for Environmental Services, which acts as a platform for the exchange of information and experiences among stakeholders, and encourages the development of related public policies.

To continue the EU-Brazil Dialogue on PES a debate will be held on the challenges of financing environmental services, conducted by experts and professionals in the field, from Brazil and the EU. For this discussion, the PES Learning Community will be used as a dialogue platform, enhancing synergies by resorting to online debate tools, as well as to the network of professionals already acting on the platform.

Overall objective:
Strengthen PES initiatives in Brazil and in the European Union through the exchange of experiences and know-how related to policies and programmes in Brazil, Europe and countries with similar challenges.

Specific objectives and expected results:
Improve the tools to formulate PES strategies in Brazilian and European public policies related to reducing deforestation and the sustainable use of ecosystems, with a particular emphasis on private PES funding related primarily to: a) the protection of water and air resources b) carbon storage and sequestration, and c) biodiversity conservation;
Create a network of relevant actors in Brazil and in the EU to contribute to the formulation of effective PES strategies associated with other environmental management mechanisms.

Annexes:

• mmaa01_-_perito_-_relatorio_tecnico_-_carbono.pdf
• mmaa01_-_peritos_-_relatorio_final.pdf
• mmaa01_-_publicacao_-_ingles.pdf
• mmaa01_-_publicacao_-_portugues.pdf
• mmaa01_-_perito_-_relatorio_do_webinar_-_agua.pdf
• mmaa01_-_perito_-_relatorio_do_webinar_-_carbono.pdf
• mmaa01_-_perito_-_relatorio_tecnico_-_agua.pdf