Search Climate Insights Directory

This report describes the 'Watershared' model of reciprocal watershed agreements, a grassroots approach to incentive-based conservation used in Latin America. Unlike national Payment for Environmental Services (PES) schemes, Watershared relies on local negotiations, social norms, and non-economic incentives to encourage upstream landowners to protect forests that ensure water security for downstream users.

This case study describes 'Watershared' (reciprocal watershed agreements), a grassroots, incentive-based conservation model used in Latin America to promote sustainable forest and water management through local negotiations and economic incentives.