The socio-economic factors related to the motivation of environmental service providers: The case of the watershed protection of the Amboasary Avaratra hydropower plant

Abstract

   Since 2016, a payment for environmental services (PES) program has been in place in Amboasary Avaratra (Anjozorobe) to protect the reforestation of the watershed linked to the local hydroelectric dam. While financial incentives are generally considered the primary driver of motivation for environmental service providers, this study focuses on the socio-economic factors influencing this motivation beyond money. The research question explored is: "What socio-economic factors, besides money, influence the motivation of environmental service providers?"

   To answer this question, a survey based on a Likert scale questionnaire was conducted among participants in the PES program. The collected data were analyzed using logistic regression, with motivation as the dependent variable, and three socio-economic factors: knowledge level, social capital, and perceived socio-economic impacts as independent variables.

   The results show that only the knowledge level has a significant effect on participants' motivation, with an odds ratio of 7.464 (sig. = 0.016). This means that individuals with a high level of knowledge are more than seven times more likely to be motivated to participate in the program. In contrast, social capital (Exp(B) = 0.674, sig. = 0.464) and perceived socio-economic impacts (Exp(B) = 1.907, sig. = 0.203) did not show statistical significance.

   This study highlights the importance of knowledge level as a key motivating factor in PES programs. The results suggest that enhancing this knowledge could improve the participation and engagement of environmental service providers, while social capital and perceived socio-economic impacts seem to play a less determining role in this specific context.