The role of economic instruments in policy mixes for biodiversity conservation

The POLICYMIX project contributed to the European Union's goals of reversing trends in biodiversity loss beyond 2010 through the use of cost-effective and incentive-compatible economic instruments.

Project
Archived
,
2010 - 2014

POLICYMIX focuses on the role of economic instruments in a mix of operational conservation policy instruments.

Traditionally, assessments of economic instruments have tested a single instrument at a time. Earlier research recognised the interaction between instruments. But to date there has been limited progress in assessing instrument impacts as a function of the policy mix, particularly in a case study setting.

The challenges this research addressed included: 

  • Integrating multiple policy impact criteria
  • Building a framework that matches impact assessment at various geographical and temporal scales, and policy design at various levels of governance and government
  • Assessing policy in the context of global change and uncertainty, and
  • Involving relevant stakeholders at different governmental levels in collaborative policy assessment.

POLICYMIX complements the TEEB study on The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity by developing an integrated impact assessment framework, using a set of in-depth assessments of economic instruments in seven case studies, testing their ability to move across social-ecological contexts.

Through policy assessments carried out in collaboration with local land users, managers and policymakers, the project was expected to have large impacts in the chosen case studies and beyond. The POLICYMIX approach to policy design was is also highly complementary with EU research on securing biodiversity conservation across different time and space scales in different places.