Improving private sector conservation using tax-effective instruments

The study examines the taxation aspects of a conceptual model for a farmer-led regional conservation program that combines philanthropy, voluntarism and market-funded investments. It considers an integrated approach to eco-services trading as part of a total landscape scale conservation approach.
This project provides actionable approaches based on two case-study areas. It also looks in some detail at international markets and international taxation incentives and support programs.

The study specifies the market and taxation reforms that are needed to make such an investment approach viable.
The study concludes that there is both an opportunity and a substantial need to attract large amounts of private funds into conservation programs, but that without taxation reform and active market generation this flow of funds is not likely.

Project Objectives

• To specify legitimate mechanisms to attract private investment in sustainability and conservation, by marrying existing taxation structures (e.g. managed investment schemes, tax leveraged donations and growth or research financing initiatives to market instruments (e.g. tradeable credits, offsets, ecosystem services) to deliver: a) privately funded conservation arrangements on both public an private lands; b) accelerated investment into technologies and services in support of sustainability goals; and c) ‘fair sharing’ of the burdens of public good conservation expenditures.
• To take initial steps to translate this knowledge into application by government and private markets.

Publications and Resources

None listed

Citation

Land & Water Australia. 2009. Improving private sector conservation using tax-effective instruments. [Online] (Updated June 24th, 2009)
Available at: http://lwa.gov.au/node/2983 [Accessed Saturday 20th of March 2010 08:06:48 PM ].