VOLUNTARY AGREEMENTS IN WATERSHED PROTECTION EXPERIENCES FROM COSTA RICA

• Published in: Environment, development and sustainability Vol. 9; no. 1; pp. 1 - 19
• Main Authors: MIRANDA, MIRIAM, DIEPERINK, CAREL, GLASBERGEN, PIETER
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands 01-02-2007; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agreements; Civil society; Collective agreements; Cost analysis; Costa Rica; Developing countries; Energy industry; Environmental aspects; Environmental effects; Environmental policy; Environmental protection; environmental service payments; Farmers; Forest management; Forestry; Freshwater; Integrated approach; multi-stakeholder arrangements; NGOs; Non-governmental organizations; Nongovernmental organizations; Population growth; Public sector; Soil conservation; Stakeholders; Studies; Sustainability; Valuation; voluntary agreements; Water management; Water shortages; Water supply; Watershed management; Watershed protection; Watersheds; Costa Rica
• ISSN: 1387-585X; 1573-2975
• DOI: 10.1007/s10668-005-9000-9

This article analyses the application of voluntary environmental agreements (VEAs) in watershed protection in Costa Rica. Next to an involvement of private energy firms, the Costa Rican state, and farmers, the participation of NGOs is a remarkable feature. From an analysis of these multi-stakeholder arrangements, it is concluded that these arrangements bring benefits to all actors involved. VEAs have been able to grow as powerful policy instruments, generating positive environmental effects. Essential is their embedded ness in a broader set of environmental policies, especially related to forest management