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Forest concessions and eco-certifications in the Peruvian Amazon: Deforestation impacts of logging rights and logging restrictions

Author

Listed:
  • Rico-Straffon, Jimena
  • Wang, Zhenhua
  • Panlasigui, Stephanie
  • Loucks, Colby J.
  • Swenson, Jennifer
  • Pfaff, Alexander

Abstract

Concessions that grant logging rights to firms support economic development based on forest resources. Eco-certifications put sustainability restrictions on the operations of those concessions. For spatially detailed data, including many pre-treatment years, we use new difference-in-differences estimators to estimate 2002–2018 impacts upon Peruvian Amazon forests from both logging concessions and their eco-certifications. We find that the concessions − which in theory could raise or reduce forest loss − did not raise loss, if anything reducing it slightly by warding off spikes in deforestation pressure. Eco-certifications could reduce or raise forest loss, yet we find no significant impacts.

Suggested Citation

  • Rico-Straffon, Jimena & Wang, Zhenhua & Panlasigui, Stephanie & Loucks, Colby J. & Swenson, Jennifer & Pfaff, Alexander, 2023. "Forest concessions and eco-certifications in the Peruvian Amazon: Deforestation impacts of logging rights and logging restrictions," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeeman:v:118:y:2023:i:c:s0095069622001334
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeem.2022.102780
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    Cited by:

    1. Rana, Pushpendra & Sills, Erin O., 2024. "Inviting oversight: Effects of forest certification on deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    2. Baehr, Christian & BenYishay, Ariel & Parks, Brad, 2023. "Highway to the forest? Land governance and the siting and environmental impacts of Chinese government-funded road building in Cambodia," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    3. Garcia, Alberto & Heilmayr, Robert, 2024. "Impact evaluation with nonrepeatable outcomes: The case of forest conservation," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    4. Ferreira, Alipio, 2026. "Amazon deforestation: Drivers, damages, and policies," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    5. Chervier, Colas & Atmadja, Stibniati S. & Nofyanza, Sandy & Annisa, Choiriatun Nur & Nurfatriani, Fitri & Kristiningrum, Rochadi & Sahide, Muhammad Alif K. & Suhardiman, Ali & Umar, Syukur, 2025. "Impact of Indonesia's Forest Management Units on the reduction of forest loss and forest fires in Sulawesi," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    6. Giudice, Renzo & Börner, Jan, 2024. "Cost-effectiveness and income effects of alternative forest conservation policy mixes for the Peruvian Amazon," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    7. Balmford, Ben & Collins, Joseph & Day, Brett & Lindsay, Luke & Peacock, James, 2023. "Pricing rules for PES auctions: Evidence from a natural experiment," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    8. Balietti, Anca & Jaiswal, Sreeja & Schäffer, Daniel, 2024. "Labor market impacts of eco-development initiatives in protected areas," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    9. Nakaishi, Tomoaki & Chapman, Andrew, 2024. "Eco-labels as a communication and policy tool: A comprehensive review of academic literature and global label initiatives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    10. Chervier, Colas & Ximenes, Arimatéa C. & Mihigo, Blaise-Pascal Ntirumenyerwa & Doumenge, Charles, 2024. "Impact of industrial logging concession on deforestation and forest degradation in the DRC," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).

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    JEL classification:

    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • Q23 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Forestry
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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