The project’s objective is to support the State Secretariat for the Environment and Water Resources (SEMA) in developing and implementing economic instruments that contribute to strengthening the institution’s management capacity for the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in the State of Paraná.
During 2012, activities were carried out to design the operational framework for the Payment for Environmental Services (PSA) System. For payments, priority was given to the categories “conservation units”—specifically Private Natural Heritage Reserves (RPPNs)—and “water resources.” In the first case, a methodology was developed to value the environmental services provided by RPPN owners, ensuring the establishment of a minimum and maximum amount to be received.
In the case of water resources, a partnership was initiated between the State Government, Funbio, and the O Boticário Foundation to facilitate the incorporation of the methodology currently used in the Oásis Project into the State Payment for Environmental Services System. A survey was also conducted of funding sources—both public and private—that could finance the State PSA System. In some cases, the potential for creating so-called markets for environmental services was analyzed.
With regard to the design of a financial mechanism, an analysis of the state’s management of environmental compensation was conducted, identifying the regulatory acts, key actors, and the flows of collection and disbursement of these funds, as well as their respective opportunities and bottlenecks. Based on this mapping, a proposal for a new workflow was developed, which is still undergoing validation by the State Government.