C. Nolte, Y. le Polain de Waroux, M. Piquer-Rodriguez, V. Butsic, and E.F. Lambin
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Institute for the Study of International Development, McGill University
Abstract:
Lessons for empirical
scholars engaged in
debates on conservation
policies include:
"Impact" must be
distinguished from
other measures of
policy effectiveness.
Estimating policy
impact requires
including appropriate
spatial and temporal
confounders in the
model.
Enforcement does not
have to be perfect to
have a deterrent
effect.
A policy outcome's
success or failure
should be assessed
based on identified
standards.
R. Garrett, E.F. Lambin, and Y. le Polain de Waroux
Publication Date:
01-2017
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Institute for the Study of International Development, McGill University
Abstract:
Effective deforestation regulations are implemented in places with high conservation value and low opportunity costs. Restrictive deforestation regulations drive away large-scale farms that rely on forest clearing. Increasing regulations do not slow down agricultural expansion, suggesting that large farms avoiding regulations are replaced by smaller farms. Increasing deforestation restrictions makes production costlier, causing major importers to shift to cheaper, less-regulated areas. This shift is partially compensated by rising domestic consumption, and by increasing demand from quality-driven importers.