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The collective provision of environmental goods: a discussion of contractual issues.
- Source :
-
Journal of Environmental Planning & Management . Jun2011, Vol. 54 Issue 5, p637-660. 24p. 4 Charts. - Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- Although many species have a larger range than the average sized farm, most agri-environment schemes (AES) involve contracts with individual land managers. However, in the Netherlands 'collective contracts' allow neighbouring land managers to co-ordinate environmental management at the landscape rather than the farm-scale. Findings from a study of Dutch Environmental Co-operatives (ECs) are used to discuss how collective contracts for environmental goods affect the following contractual issues associated with AES: transaction costs, asymmetry of information, the 'hold-up', 'end-of-contract' and 'assurance' problems and incomplete contracts. As a prerequisite for effective collective contracts requires land managers holding communal aims and interests, the techniques used by ECs to form like-minded groups are also reviewed. Government support for collective contracts can be justified because they: (1) reduce transaction costs; (2) improve ecological effectiveness; and (3) increase the policy options available. Government support for ECs can be justified (1) as compensation to members for the additional costs they incur co-ordinating group actions; (2) to assist collectives buy-in expert advice; and (3) because they increase participation rates by (a) helping counter the 'hold-up', 'assurance' and 'incomplete contract' problems, and (b) by framing decisions in ways that shift attitudes, values and aspirations among members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09640568
- Volume :
- 54
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Environmental Planning & Management
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 60429445
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2010.526380