Payment for ecosystem services through renewable energy generation to promote community-based natural resource management in the Blyde in South Africa |
| |
Authors: | Mirjam de Koning |
| |
Affiliation: | Programme Coordinator Development Advisors Rural Development , Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH , P.O. Box 9233, Vientiane Capital, 247/19 Watnak Yai Road, Thaphalanxay Village, Sisattanak District, Vientiane Capital , Lao PDR , Asia |
| |
Abstract: | Loss of biodiversity is putting the South African economy and the quality of life of its citizens at risk. Payment for ecosystem services (PES) is a way to incentivise conservation, community-based natural resource management and restoration of the environment. This article discusses a proposed PES project through the generation of hydro-electricity in the Blyde River Canyon Nature reserve. It argues that this proposed project could serve as an example for other PES projects and that it would strengthen community-based natural resource management, be beneficial to environmental conservation, counteract climate change, and provide socio-economic benefits to surrounding communities. |
| |
Keywords: | payment for ecosystem services renewable energy community-based natural resource management |
|
|