Eco-certification: Can it deliver in the tropics? Photo: Wendy Miles

Topics  Eco-services of jungle rubber  Eco-certification promises and problems  Changes that could help

This is jungle rubber Trees (Tata 2006)  Simpson’s Index: 0.72  Monoculture rubber: 0.07 Mammals  37 species, 9 endangered  Monoculture rubber: 2 species Birds  167 species, 28 endangered, 10 CITES  Monoculture rubber: 3 species Photo: Wendy Miles

Diversity is becoming simplified (van Noordwijk 1997)

Eco-certification: How does it work? (van Noordwijk 1997)

Jungle rubber production has opportunity costs (Budidarsono undated)

Improving on the promises  Shorten the biodiversity value chain with contracts  Contracts should:  Guaranteed price premiums  Base payments on eco system performance  Allow an accounting chain of custody

Separating the biodiversity and material value chains

Pay for achievement in biodiversity conservation  Allows more pay for better habitat, not for more commodity  Using science-based and local knowledge can create acceptance and improvement feedback loop  Offers incentive for site specific research (Tata et al 2006).

Cases of System in Transition Potential of Eco-Certification to Mitigate Biodiversity Threat Competing crop practiceOne crop practice, competing land use Certified intensive use to support high value extensive use Level Plot Landscape Examples Wood, Rubber, Coffee, Cacao Intensive rubber/extensive Nepenthes Key features needed for eco-certification scheme to ensure conservation & development Indicators Price premium Indicators Price premium Conservation agreement Indicators Price premium Facilitated by existing conservation schemes YesNo

Reducing transaction costs: accounting chain of custody

Thank you

Tipping the scales for more eco-services Net Income: Total revenue – total cost

Tipping the scales