What we do
We promote the development of efficient Incentives for Ecosystem Services from Agriculture (IES) packages through:
- Case study analysis: To identify and describe conditions for successful IES packages. In particular, to understand farmers' motivations, private sector commitments, and the enabling legal and institutional frameworks that allows IES packages to be built.
- A web toolkit: Developed to guide decision-makers and practitioners to combine and successfully implement IES.
- Forums on IES packages: To provide global, regional and national level opportunities for cross-fertilization between geographies and the development of locally-adapted IES packages and policies.
- Support focus-countries: To develop an IES-enabling policy framework that allows their transition towards a more sustainable agricultural sector.
IES delivers on FAO's Strategic Objective 2
One of FAO's strategic objectives is to make agriculture, livestock, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable. Ecosystem services are essential to agriculture and IES are a way to ensure their long-term protection and enhancement.
FAO Sustainable Food and Agriculture (SFA)
IES are key policy and practices of Principles 2 and 3 of FAO's strategy for Sustainable Food and Agriculture.
In Principle 2: Direct actions to conserve, protect and enhance natural resources: integrating the ecosystem approach in planning ensure long-term availability of natural resources.
IES examples:
- Payments for using and providing environmental services, such as pollinators, carbon sequestration
- Grazing fees
- Certification of forest management
- Certification of aquaculture for environmental protection
In Principle 3: Protect rural livelihoods and improve equity and social well-being: Understanding ecosystem services dynamics and safeguarding them preserves the livelihoods of the poorest, and maintains agriculture potential in the future.
IES examples:
- Protect and increase farmers' access to resources such as pasture and water
- Increase farmers' access to markets through capacity-building, credit and infrastructure
- Establish payment schemes for environmental services (PES)
- Improve local markets Promote small and medium enterprises