Environmental markets are an innovative policy approach to increasing funding for environmental conservation and are often viewed as a complement to traditional conservation programs. Current active and pilot markets exist for greenhouse gasses, water quality, wetlands, and habitats.
Water Quality Markets
Carbon and Greenhouse Gas Markets
Biodiversity and Habitat Markets
Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES)
PES refer to scenarios where those who use ecosystem services provide payments to the providers of ecosystem services. These payments offer incentives to preserve natural systems.
USDA Resources
ERS Report: "The Use of Markets to Increase Private Investment in Environmental Stewardship"
The Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP)
Baselines in Environmental Markets
Natural Resources Credit Trading Reference
Ecosystem Services, Markets, and the US FWS
Ecosystem Services Update: A monthly digest of news, reports, journal articles and events related mainly to forest-based ecosystem services and markets. To subscribe, please email ecosystemservices@fs.fed.us, and include your name, email and organization.
Other Resources
Duke Nicholas Institute: Managing Risk in Environmental Markets
UNEP: Vital Graphics on Payment for Ecosystem Services- Realizing Nature’s Value
Payments for Environmental Services: Some nuts and bolts
Markets for Ecosystem Services: A Potential Tool for Multilateral Environmental Agreements
Ecosystem Accounting Protocol: Increasing the Effectiveness of Investments in the Environment