Exploring Payment Options for Ecosystem Services
This event is designed to be a round table discussion, bringing together various stakeholders connected to the issues of best management practices and incentivizing farmers to take them up through payments. We will kick things off with a presentation from the Simpson Centre highlighting an environmental scan looking at programs in Alberta. This will be followed by a discussion session with invitees from the government, conservation groups, NGOs, farmers, and academics. As part of this discussion, attendees will conduct a SWOT analysis on the available programs to compensate producers for ecosystem services, alignment and divergence between organizations, the role of industry, the role of government, validation of outcomes vs. a focus on practices, and how best to foster more collaboration and cohesive approaches.
EVENT AGENDA:
About the speakers:
Tatenda Mambo:
Tatenda is a postdoctoral associate at the Simpson Centre for Agriculture at UCalgary. He earned a PhD in human geography investigating urban food insecurity in southern Africa. His research explores regenerative agriculture, sustainable food systems, and food security. Using a systems thinking approach, Tatenda is particularly interested in how agricultural systems can support ecological functions, build resilient farm communities, address local food needs, and address environmental problems. His ongoing projects include work with climate adaptation organizations such as Rural Routes to Climate Solutions and grassroots community organizations that work with racialized groups.
ABOUT THE DISCUSSIONS:
Tatenda will summarize recent research findings about current incentives, their effectiveness, and future steps to drive regenerative agriculture and sustainable production. The event will feature a roundtable discussion on incentivizing farmers to adopt best management practices, starting with a presentation from the Simpson Centre on Alberta's relevant programs. Stakeholders from government, NGOs, conservation groups, farmers, and academics will conduct a SWOT analysis on existing ecosystem service compensation programs, exploring the roles of industry and government and identifying opportunities for collaboration. The discussions will revolve around the following discussion points:
Strengths:
Wide range of organizations involved
Funding available for various activities
Multiple funding sources
Weaknesses:
Gaps, uncertainties, and overlooked sectors
Misalignment between organizations
Inconsistent government funding
Focus on practices vs outcomes
Opportunities:
Explore factors impacting biomass supply
Strategies to prevent resource strain
Threats:
Risks from economic trends and trade barriers
Budget constraints and interprovincial policy misalignments
ABOUT THE SIMPSON CENTRE.
The Simpson Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy is an academic policy institute that supports Canadian agri-food and agriculture, affiliated with the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. We aim to mobilize research for better policymaking and decision-making to realize a more sustainable agricultural industry. Strengthening the sustainability of agri-food and agribusiness means increasing food production to feed a growing global population, while attending to social and health impacts and the natural environment. Our three key areas of research: 1) Agriculture and Society (population health and environment), 2) Agriculture and Economics (sustainable productivity), and 3) Agricultural Literacy (public education and outreach). The Simpson Centre remains neutral throughout its research process and in its research outputs. We connect researchers, citizens, industry stakeholders and government actors to scientific issues critical to the future of Canada’s agricultural and food system.