Guidance on the development of public and private payment schemes for forest ecosystem services
Forests provide not only wood and non-wood materials and products but also multiple other services, such as habitats for biodiversity, water purification, and regulation of floods and climate. Their carbon sequestration and cooling capacities and their role in providing renewable raw materials, food and medicines are indispensable for fighting climate change, the transition to a circular bioeconomy and a healthy society.
Public and private payments for forest ecosystem services represent an alternative option to secure financial sources for multifunctional and protective forest management and sustainable maintenance of ecosystem services .
The guidance in this document is intended to be voluntary and not prescriptive. It aims to be a useful source of information and advice – in a user-friendly document – to help public and private entities and forest owners and managers develop and implement payment schemes for forest ecosystem services. It complements any national guidelines that may exist.
Content: Guidance on the development of public and private payment schemes for forest ecosystem services
Publisher: European Commission
Year: 2023