This is an example of how EfD research can influence policies for Sustainable Financing of Protected Areas in Costa Rica.
"The process of influencing policy is slow and requires high investments in time and personal contact. Fortunately park authorities are increasingly relying on our technical advice, which in turn motivates us to work harder and closer to their interests. For example, recently entrance fees were increased for some parks based on our technical recommendations." Dr. Francisco Alpizar, coordinator of EfD Central America
Protected Areas (PA) in Costa Rica lack sufficient financial resources to fulfill the dual role of conserving key ecosystems and tourist attraction. There is therefore a need to raise additional funds. Entrance fees are currently one of the main sources of funding for the Costa Rican System of PA (SINAC). For the last two years, staff from the EfD has been involved in constructing a systematic approach to set these entrance fees based on solid economic theory. The research projects are the result of the continued interaction of EfD research fellows with local authorities of SINAC. A key partner in this initiative has been the local Costa Rican office of The Nature Conservancy. Via workshops and face to face meetings with park authorities, we have learned about their research needs and they in turn have contributed to improve our research, making it more applicable and relevant to their context.
The overall objective of research in this field is to understand the social, institutional and economic incentives motivating expenditure decisions by tourists while visiting PA. This information is a direct input into a strategy for the financial sustainability of PA receiving tourists. The research even goes beyond simply raising more funds; it will also provide park authorities with information about tourist preferences in general, so that they can be better prepared to target particular audiences. Our research agenda includes questions on how to design tourism strategies in PA that effectively incorporate local communities, so as to increase the benefits that these communities derive from conservation efforts. This is a key element in securing the sustainability of these areas, since less poor communities are less likely to depend on resources from the park. EfD Central America has two research programs in this area:
What affect voluntary contributions to national parks? A field study in Cahuita National Park. Finding alternative financing strategies is not only important for the maintenance of Cahuita National Park, but also for integration of local communities in the preservation of National Parks in the whole of Costa Rica. Key contributions for policy makers are how to increase contributions, if there is crowding out between voluntary contribution and entrance fees and how the local economy is affected by entrance fees.
Social spillovers of conservation efforts. Despite the clear environmental benefits of conservation efforts, one question reminds: How will these policies affect the well being of individuals in the countries and localities where these policies are implemented? With our results, governments will have more accurate information about tradeoffs between social and environmental outcomes, allowing for more informed decisions. Also, we can identify which characteristics play an important role in increasing or decreasing social costs. This can also be used to reduce or even eliminate the tradeoffs between environmental protection and economic outcomes.
Researchers involved: EfD Central America/CATIE: Dr Francisco Alpizar, Dr. Juan Robalino, Dr Allen Blackman, EfD Sweden/University of Gothenburg: Professor Olof Johansson-Stenman, Professor Fredrik Carlsson, Professor Peter Martinsson
Francisco Alpizar has been invited to be a member of a Technical Advisory Committee in support of UNDP’s initiative exploring the Role of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Economic Growth and Equity for Latin America and Caribbean. The objective of this regional initiative is to prepare a report aimed at policy makers in the region, similar to the Stern Report or the Millennium Ecosystem Report. Preliminary results are expected in March 2009