FONDO NACIONAL DE FINANCIAMIENTO FORESTAL

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

WHAT IT IS ABOUT....

PES ACTUATORS...

FONAFIFO ESP...

The Environmental Services Payment Program (ESPP) constitutes a financial recognition by the State —through FONAFIFO — granted to forest and plantation owners for the environmental services rendered by them, which directly affect the protection and improvement of the environment.

Since its creation, The Environmental Services Payment Program (ESPP) has promoted and provided the inclusion of different participants who are interested in developing Costa Rica’s forestry sector. In this manner, the adoption of an innovative financial structure has been possible, wherein various institutions are incorporated.

FONAFIFO's ESP Area is responsible for securing the appropriate operation of the ESPP Program. It coordinates all activities related to guidelines (decrees, ESPP’s manuals of procedures), technical procedures, statistics, payment process to beneficiaries of ESPP contracts and evaluation and monitoring of the ESPP Program

The Payment for Environmental Services Program (ESPP) constitutes a financial recognition by the State —through FONAFIFO — granted to forest and plantation owners for the environmental services rendered by them, which directly affect the protection and improvement of the environment.

According to Costa Rica 's Forestry Law No. 7575, the following environmental services are defined: mitigation of gases produced by the greenhouse effect, protection of water for urban, rural or hydroelectric purposes; protection of biodiversity for conservation, sustainable, scientific and pharmaceutical uses; research and genetic improvement; protection of ecosystems and life forms, including natural scenic beauty for tourism and scientific purposes.

Since its creation, the Payment for Environmental Services Program (ESPP) has promoted and provided for the introduction of different participants who are interested in developing Costa Rica’s forestry sector. In this manner, the adoption of an innovative financial structure has been possible, wherein various institutions are incorporated, such as: National System of Areas of Conservation (SINAC), FONAFIFO, National Forest Department (ONF), the Forest Managers, the Association of Agronomy Engineers, cooperatives, regional (cantonal) agricultural centers, non-government organizations of this sector, and beneficiaries in general. FONAFIFO is the ESPP’s financial core center.

FONAFIFO's PES Area is responsible for securing the appropriate operation of the ESPP Program. It coordinates all activities related to guidelines (decrees, ESPP’s procedure manuals), technical procedures, statistics, payment process to beneficiaries of ESPP contracts and evaluation and monitoring of the ESPP Program.