Conservation Expert Urges CT Countries to Pursue Payment for Ecosystem Services Initiatives

Mr. Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, one of the world’s leading experts in Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), challenged the Coral Triangle countries to pursue PES initiatives—particularly for coastal areas—during the session “Conversation in Conservation: PES and New Frontiers in Sustainable Financing” held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria on September 18, 2012.

Mr. Rodriguez is the Vice President at Conservation International and a former Minister of Environment and Energy for Costa Rica. He was one of three speakers who shared lessons on international good practices in PES and how to make PES work in the Philippines.

“This region of the world must be the world example for PES,” he said. “Some processes of coordination must begin in the CTI that will serve as an example for the world.” In his presentation, he discussed the political preconditions needed for the successful implementation of PES systems that benefit local communities.

The other two speakers who shared their insights on PES applications in the Philippines were Ms. Noela Lasmarias, PES Specialist from the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ National Support Program for Environment and Natural Resources Management, and Ms. Rina Maria Rosales, Senior Resource Economist for USAID’s ECOFISH Project. Ms. Lasmarias discussed PES applications in forests and upland areas, while Ms. Rosales suggested ways to advance PES in the marine and coastal sectors.

In his talk, Mr. Rodriguez defined PES as “a financial instrument that fully recognizes ecological services between providers and users.” He explained that it is a private transaction between them, with the government playing a key role in setting policies, rules, procedures, institutional administration, and demonstrating the political will to internalize them.

He also described PES as an effective tool to achieve ambitious, long-term political objectives. He emphasized, however, that it must be well positioned and recognized by stakeholders. In Costa Rica, PES was used to initiate a political process that moved the country toward a sustainable development agenda.

Among those who attended the event were consultants from CTI Southeast Asia and the CTI Knowledge Management Project (both managed by PRIMEX), as well as representatives from WWF, JICA, GIZ, USAID Philippines, Conservation International, the Climate Change Commission, NEWCAP, the NZAid Climate Change Project, VSO Bahaginan, and ADB.

Follow this link to watch a short video of Mr. Rodriguez speaking about PES in Asia.