Eco-compensation in Yunnan Province: Experiences and Future Priorities

Li Yuan, Director of the Yunnan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, introduced the development of ecological protection compensation system in Yunnan Province. Li shared that ecological protection compensation efforts in Yunnan primarily encompass public welfare forests, grasslands, key ecological function areas, and watershed horizontal transfer payments. In support of such efforts, the province has enacted relevant rules and regulations, which separate and clarify the responsibilities of the regulators and indemnifying parties in the management of compensation funds. Yunnan has also established a monitoring and evaluation mechanism for eco-environmental quality covering all 129 counties, as basis for monetary incentives and penalties. Li examined some of the challenges that Yunnan encountered in the implementation of its ecological protection work, including absence of fully established eco-compensation system at the national level and lack of scientific ecological value verification system. In conclusion, Li discussed the province’s future work direction on ecological protection compensation.