Eco-certification: Can it deliver in the tropics?

Photo: Wendy Miles

Topics

Eco-services of jungle rubber

Eco-certification promises and problems

Changes that could help

This is jungle rubber

Trees (Tata 2006)

Simpson’s Index: 0.72 Monoculture rubber: 0.07

Mammals 37 species, 9 endangered Monoculture rubber: 2 species

Birds 167 species, 28 endangered

, 10 CITESMonoculture rubber: 3 species

Photo: W

endy Miles

Diversity is becoming simplified

(van Noordwijk 1997)

1. Certification Authority Publishes Standards Published

2. Producer Compliance to

Standards Audited

3. Chain of Custody Certified

5. Consumers Purchase Product Offering ES

4. Ecolabel Attached to Marketed Product

Eco-certification: How does it work?

(van Noordwijk 1997)

Jungle rubber production has opportunity costs

(Budidarsono undated)

Improving on the promises

Shorten the biodiversity value chain with contracts

Contracts should:Guaranteed price premiums

Base payments on eco system performance

Allow an accounting chain of custody

Separating the biodiversity and material value chains

Separating the biodiversity and material value chains

Pay for achievement in biodiversity conservation

Allows more pay for better habitat, not for more commodity

Using science-based and local knowledge can create acceptance and improvement feedback loop

Offers incentive for site specific research

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(Tata et al 2006).

Cases of System in Transition

Potential of Eco-Certification to Mitigate Biodiversity ThreatCompeting crop practice One crop practice,

competing land useCertified intensive use to support high value extensive use

Level Plot Plot Landscape

ExamplesWood, Rubber, Coffee,Cacao

Intensive rubber/extensiveNepenthes

Key features needed for eco-certification scheme to ensure conservation & developmentIndicatorsPrice premium

IndicatorsPrice premium

Conservation agreementIndicatorsPrice premium

Facilitated by existing conservation schemesYes No No

Reducing transaction costs: accounting chain of custody

Thank you

Tipping the scales for more eco-services

Net Income: Total revenue – total cost

Tipping the scales

Quantity produced

Transaction costs

Price received