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This project aims to enhance ecosystem valuation knowledge at national, provincial, and local levels in Armenia. Independent expertise will provide evidence to stakeholders and decision-makers on the role of ecosystem services in economic growth, employment, and poverty alleviation. The study will assess risks and costs associated with ecosystem damage, quantify impacts, and undertake economic valuation. The project involves stakeholder consultation, site selection, scenario development, and analysis of economic evidence. Key steps include characterizing the study area, defining economic indicators, and understanding institutional requirements for sustainable development. The study site is Bardzradir (Musra), Suynic Region, focusing on a proposed gold mine facing community opposition. Challenges include data availability, while opportunities include the development of environmental protection laws and assessment tools for mining investments.
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Ecosystem Services & their Role in Poverty Alleviation in Suynik Province, Armenia Armenia
The Project – Overall objective To strengthen the knowledge base & capacity at the national, provincial and local levels in ecosystem valuation Independent expertise in ecosystem valuation in order to provide scientific based evidence to stakeholders & decision makers
Key questions to be addressed through valuation study How do ecosystem services in Armenia support economic growth, employment and prosperity? What risks / costs are associated with their damage / loss? What are the links between ecosystem services and poverty alleviation?
Step 1: Stakeholder consultation and site selection • Consult on project and potential study sites • Select pilot site • Specify & agree the policy issue with stakeholders Step 2: Characterize the study and determine the context for the assessment 2a. Develop a conceptual understanding of the physical characteristics of the area to be studied e.g. its size, soil type, typography, hydrology 2b. Undertaken a socio-economic analysis 2c. Define the issues. What are the main threats to ecosystem services who is being affected and how? 2d. Define scenarios to be analyzed Step 3: Define the scope of the economic assessment • Undertake qualitative assessment of ecosystem services • Determine data availability (scientific / quantitative) • Select ecosystem services to be valued. • Select key economic indicators Step 4: Quantification of impacts • Quantify (in bio physical terms) the impacts of each scenario, taking into consideration both on-site and off-site impacts Step 5: Undertake valuation of ecosystem services • Derive monetary estimates of the ecosystem services under the elected scenarios using appropriate valuation approach • CBA (economic & financial perspective). Aggregation, discounting, sensitivity analysis • Impacts of different scenarios on key indicators – e.g. employment, incomes, tax revenues • Distributional analysis and implications for poverty alleviation • Identification of sustainable financing / development mechanisms Step 6: Analysis of economicevidence Step 7: Understanding the institutional requirements Specify the institutional barriers to achieving the sustainable and equitable economic development • Key steps in the economic assessment `
Study Site • Bardzradir (Musra), Suynic Region • Proposed gold mine • Community opposition • Alternatives?
Challenges & Opportunities • Challenges • New area for Armenia • Data • Opportunities • Framework law on environmental protection being drafted • Best practice principles and tool for assessing future mining investments
