Ecosystem Service Payments as a Climate Solution: an examination into Successful Aspects of Ecosystem Service Payment Policy Programs

The purpose of this research was to examine ecosystem service payment policy programs that take the form of tax-incentive programs. Various Canadian programs were examined to gain insights into program successes and/or challenges. A great deal of academic literature looks at the ecosystem service payment policy of individual programs, yet few compare multiple programs. This research addresses this gap, as it compares multiple programs across various regions. A qualitative methodological approach was used, whereby professionals with expertise in ecosystem service payment programs were interviewed. Programs were evaluated based on the following criteria: some measurable indicators of success, impacts on broader public policy and the political context, and recognition of social-power relations. The ecosystem service payment policy programs examined through this research study included: the Canadian Ecological Gifts Program; the Manitoba Riparian Tax Credit Program; the Ontario Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program; and the Ontario Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program. An Ecological Economics approach was applied by examining improved ways of increasing conservation lands through regulatory market-based public policy programs. Overall, the examination of social-power relations in these programs provided an original and thoughtful approach. The final analysis and evaluation found that the programs typically had some measurable indicator of success and a broader impact on public policy and the political context, yet the programs did not always acknowledge social power relational issues. Taking the evaluation and analysis of these programs, I provided four recommendations for future PES policy programs in Canada. First, to provide a standardized form of measurement for the programs, to increase transparency, to include Indigenous consultation in the policy-making process, and to provide avenues for knowledge sharing about ecosystem services and payment for ecosystem service programs.