Abstract
This paper presents an analysis of Bolsa Verde Program (BVP) in the Brazilian Amazon. Despite being envisioned as a Payment for Environmental Services (PES) program, we suggest that the BVP was, in function, the world’s first large-scale institution of a Green Basic Income Program. As such, the initiative presents a unique opportunity to evaluate the potential environmental uses and implications of Basic Income initiatives. Our study relies on a socially-embedded analysis of the program as it functioned in practice. This involves analysis of qualitative data from former program beneficiaries, community leaders, program evaluators, and managers. This research suggests that the program operated socially as a de-facto Green Basic Income program, despite being designed as a hybrid Payment for Environmental Services initiative. Our analysis suggests that Bolsa Verde was successful in reducing both deforestation and poverty, and these successes were achieved without undermining collective community institutions that could have positive anti-poverty and environmental protection benefits of their own. The potential of Green Basic Income projects for curbing rainforest destruction is discussed, as is potential applicability to other environmental purposes. Since the BVP reduces incentives for economic expansion and environmental exploitation simultaneously, this work provides important information to help us understand the place of purpose-designed Green Basic Income programs in transition to degrowth scenarios. This also allows us to better understand well-being enhancements that can be gained by removing incentives for economic expansion in certain contexts.
Presenters
Timothy MacneillSenior Teaching Professor, Political Science / Sustainability, Ontario Tech University, Ontario, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2024 Special Focus—The Future We Want: Socio-Environmental Challenges in Times of Climate Emergency
KEYWORDS
Conservation, Universal Basic Income, Community Development. Environmental Impact, Amazon, Brazil
