In many parts of the world, communities are using their land, water and other natural resources in unsustainable ways — simply because there is no economic alternative.
Bridging Conservation & Development
CSP’s conservation agreement model offers direct incentives for conservation through a negotiated benefit package in return for conservation actions by communities. Thus, a conservation agreement links conservation funders — governments, bilateral
agencies, private sector companies, foundations, individuals, etc. — to people who own and use natural resources.
Benefits typically include investments in social services like health and education as well as investments in livelihoods, often in the agricultural or fisheries sectors. Benefits can also include direct payments and wages. The size of these benefit packages depends on the cost of changes in resource use, as well as conservation performance. Rigorous monitoring verifies both conservation and socioeconomic results.
Why Conservation Agreements?
By the numbers
5.8 million hectares under improved management
Since 2005, CSP has worked with communities and NGO partners worldwide, with more than 3,000 community and individual agreements signed in 20 countries, benefiting a total of 147,000 people and leading to the protection of 5.8 million hectares of key habitat.
To date, CSP has committed $7 million in grants.
Our solutions
Engaging the private sector
Given the popularity of the conservation agreements model with private-sector partners, Conservation International launched the Conservation Agreements Private Partnership Platform (CAPPP) in 2015 to catalyze private-sector support for biodiversity conservation and maintenance of ecosystem services in globally important sites. With support from the GEF Earth Fund, and in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme as implementing agency, the CAPPP forges mutually beneficial links between the private sector and local communities or landowners who commit to achieve biodiversity conservation, reduce land degradation, support climate regulation efforts and promote sustainable natural resource management.
At its conclusion in June 2020, the CAPPP include 10 projects in 9 countries, each with unique environmental and socioeconomic objectives and metrics. Key results included:
- 1.2 million hectares (3 million acres) of areas important for nature under improved management across the portfolio
- 27,000 people directly benefitting through conservation agreements
- Improved water production and improved management of 64,000 hectares (158,000 acres) of key watersheds in Bolivia, benefiting over 500 families
- New market access for livestock farmers from sustainably managed rangelands around Kruger National Park and Succulent Karoo Biodiversity Hotspot in South Africa
- Protection of important mangrove forests and key species by communities on Colombia’s Pacific coast
To learn more about this initiative and our recommendations for replicating, please read the report below, "Can conservation agreements catalyze private sector support for community-led conservation?"
Funding community conservation projects
CSP works with communities to maintain ecosystem services that sustain livelihoods — allowing people to become stewards of natural resources. By working with communities, CSP’s projects protect biodiversity against illegal fishing and logging and support climate, freshwater and cultural security.
In 2009, CSP and Conservation South Africa (CSA) initiated the Biodiversity and Red Meat Initiative (BRI), through which farmers commit to sustainable approaches to grazing, water management, stock numbers and predator control. In return, they get higher prices for their stock and other benefits.
PUBLICATIONS
CAPPP Projects
CAPPP: Bolivia - Reciprocal water agreements for nature and people
CAPPP: Bolivia - Reciprocal water agreements for nature and people
CAPPP: Cambodia - Protecting forests and improving lives
CAPPP: Cambodia - Protecting forests and improving lives
CAPPP: China - Protecting critical panda habitat and water resources
CAPPP: China - Protecting critical panda habitat and water resources
CAPPP: China - Supporting people, pandas and forests
CAPPP: China - Supporting people, pandas and forests
CAPPP: China - Alternative livelihoods to protect forests and water
CAPPP: China - Alternative livelihoods to protect forests and water
CAPPP: Colombia - Sea turtle hunters turned guardians
CAPPP: Colombia - Sea turtle hunters turned guardians
CAPPP: Colombia - Saving mangroves to save communities’ way of life
CAPPP: Colombia - Saving mangroves to save communities’ way of life
CAPPP: Ethiopia - Marketing wild coffee to protect forests
CAPPP: Ethiopia - Marketing wild coffee to protect forests
CAPPP: Guatemala - Helping a village keep its trees standing
CAPPP: Guatemala - Helping a village keep its trees standing
CAPPP: Guatemala - Helping a village manage their forest concession
CAPPP: Guatemala - Helping a village manage their forest concession
CAPPP: India - Supporting communities to conserve a tiger reserve
CAPPP: India - Supporting communities to conserve a tiger reserve
CAPPP: South Africa - Helping farmers turn grass into gold
CAPPP: South Africa - Helping farmers turn grass into gold
CAPPP: South Africa - Improving landscapes and livelihoods
CAPPP: South Africa - Improving landscapes and livelihoods
CAPPP: Peru - Reducing deforestation and improving economic opportunities for indigenous communities
CAPPP: Peru - Reducing deforestation and improving economic opportunities for indigenous communities
Videos
A Shared Vision for a Healthy Future
The Conservation Stewards Program celebrates 15 years of conservation agreemeents in 2020.
Conservation Agreements in Alto Mayo, Peru
Contact Us
- Zachary Wells - Managing Director
- Juliette Crepin - Private Sector Engagement Manager
- Amos Thiong’o Mwaura - Regional Manager for Africa
- Alejandro Rosselli - Regional Manager for Latin America