Article
Comparison of Direct Transfers for Human Capital Development and Environmental Conservation
World Development
(2017)
Abstract
Over the past 30 years, direct transfers to beneficiaries have become an increasingly important tool for addressing society’s need for effective, efficient, and equitable conservation and development, and have been widely used to generate socially desirable outcomes in human capital development (HCD) programs and Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) programs. Yet, the two types of programs have been examined in distinct bodies of literature without much reference to each other. By systematically reviewing peer-reviewed journal articles, dissertations, and select working papers, we suggest important similarities and differences between HCD cash transfer and PES programs that have been overlooked, particularly in how direct transfers are conceptualized and operationalized and how intended and unintended program outcomes are produced. Rather than considering HCD cash transfers and PES as two distinct tools, a common framework that conceptualizes direct transfers as an umbrella mechanism to produce socially desirable outcomes can contribute to effectively engaging target populations, addressing the needs of beneficiaries in a holistic way, comprehensively evaluating program impacts, and enabling opportunities to build synergies and minimize redundancies and competition across programs.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2017
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2017.05.030
Citation Information
Claudia Radel. "Comparison of Direct Transfers for Human Capital Development and Environmental Conservation" World Development Vol. 99 (2017) p. 498 - 517 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/claudia_radel/39/