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Willingness to Pay for Nature Protection: Crowdfunding as a Payment Mechanism

Author

Listed:
  • Maria A. Cunha-e-Sá

    (Universidade Nova de Lisboa)

  • Til Dietrich

    (Universidade Nova de Lisboa)

  • Ana Faria

    (Universidade Nova de Lisboa)

  • Luis Catela Nunes

    (Universidade Nova de Lisboa)

  • Margarida Ortigão

    (Universidade Nova de Lisboa
    Universidade de Lisboa)

  • Renato Rosa

    (Universidade Nova de Lisboa
    Faculty of Economics, Universidade de Coimbra)

  • Carina Vieira-da-Silva

    (Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de Lisboa)

Abstract

In this study, we use a discrete choice experiment to elicit the willingness-to-pay (WTP) for preventing and mitigating the effects of oil spills on marine and coastal ecosystem services, along a particularly vulnerable coastal region of mainland Portugal. We used a split-sample design to analyze the differences between two payment vehicles (PV): a mandatory extra income tax and a voluntary contribution collected by a crowdfunding campaign with a provision point mechanism and a money-back guarantee. The difference between the two PVs is examined in a setting where the local population has a negative perception of the quality of institutions. We find that respondents are more willing to contribute when presented with the crowdfunding version. Also, regardless of the payment vehicle, respondents who express a mistrust in institutions are more likely to choose the status quo. These results suggest the potential of using crowdfunding to support ecosystem services’ conservation initiatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria A. Cunha-e-Sá & Til Dietrich & Ana Faria & Luis Catela Nunes & Margarida Ortigão & Renato Rosa & Carina Vieira-da-Silva, 2025. "Willingness to Pay for Nature Protection: Crowdfunding as a Payment Mechanism," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 88(2), pages 367-396, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:enreec:v:88:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s10640-024-00933-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10640-024-00933-3
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Crowdfunding; Environmental protection; Discrete choice experiment; Payment vehicle; Perceived quality of institutions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • O35 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Social Innovation
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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