Payment for Ecosystem Services Markets on Aboriginal Land in Cape York Peninsula

Potential and Constraints

In the global arena, improving environmental outcomes and ensuring social equity outcomes for disadvantaged landholder groups have become increasingly important. This is especially true in regions with pressing environmental problems populated by low-income indigenous land stewards. The ability of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes to lift poor people out of poverty and the potential for PES schemes to improve social and welfare conditions in remote Australian indigenous communities is increasingly being recognized. Based on research in Cape York, Australia, this paper argues that a new approach to environmental management is needed to incorporate PES market participation by indigenous landowners.

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