From Bamboo to Benefits: Exploring the Leverage Points for Equitable PES Schemes in Colombia’s Eje Cafetero.

Abstract

Guadua angustifolia offers significant potential for ecosystem service conservation and provision in Colombia’s Eje Cafetero. However, limited economic incentives for its cultivation and management have led to its underappreciation and underutilisation. Therefore, this study qualitatively examines the barriers and opportunities for implementing different guadua-based payments for ecosystem services (PES) schemes, using a systems-based approach combining stakeholder mapping, semi-structured interviews, document analysis and on-site observations. Accordingly, ten leverage points are identified to develop the local guadua sector, considering distributive and procedural equity. Three crucial barriers are identified: the weak implementation of legislation, the lack of strong political will, and the limited public resources. Key opportunities include the personal motivations of local stakeholders, growing networking initiatives in the guadua value chain, and the market creation for guadua-based products. This research suggests that national and regional governments are primarily responsible for the long term implementation of PES schemes, while guadua producers, their interest groups and local governments are responsible for their practical applications. While the ten leverage points provide feasible actions to advance the implementation of these economic incentives, the analysis reveals that the creation of PES schemes based on distributive and procedural equity requires institutional strength and bottom-up association. However, for long-term equitable PES schemes to emerge, a major paradigm shift is necessary that reshapes the relationships between stakeholders and with nature.