Fostering Payments for Environmental Services (PES) in the Danube Basin: The goal: To conserve rural environments and improve rural livelihoods

Abstract

This publication provides an overview of a proposed PES project in Europe's Danube basin, describing the location, objectives and anticipated outcomes. The project emphasis is to promote rural land uses that protect the environment and provide environmental services by identifying and supporting preferred land uses, developing the institutional framework to implement and scale-up PES programs, and involving a wide base of private and non-profit organizations to provide marketing, education, and financing support. The timeline for project development and implementation extends from 2002 to 2010. The publication concludes with a list of opportunities for audience involvement in supporting the Danube Basin PES initiative.