The Use of Markets to Increase Private Investment in Environmental Stewardship
Subtitle: Marc Ribaudo ... [et al.].
Contributors: United States Economic Research Service.
Series: Economic Research Report -- 64
Publisher: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, U.S. Economic Research Service
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 70
Subjects: Environmental responsibility -- United States; Sustainable development -- Technological innovations -- United States
Notes: Also available on the World Wide Web. Chapters are in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.

"U.S. farmers and ranchers produce a wide variety of commodities for food, fuel, and fiber in response to market signals. Farms also contain significant amounts of natural resources that can provide a host of environmental services, including cleaner air and water, flood control, and improved wildlife habitat. Environmental services are often valued by society, but because they are a public good--that is, people can obtain them without paying for them--farmers and ranchers may not benefit financially from producing them. As a result, farmers and ranchers underprovide these services. This report explores the use of market mechanisms, such as emissions trading and eco-labels, to increase private investment in environmental stewardship. Such investments could complement or even replace public investments in traditional conservation programs. The report also defines roles for government in the creation and function of markets for environmental services." -- website.