‘Yes-in-my-backyard’: Spatial differences in the valuation of forest services and local co-benefits for carbon markets in México

Forests provide many and large benefits, including cost-efficient climate change mitigation. However international

carbon markets have not stimulated the demand for forestry offsets. Domestic market-mechanisms are emerging inmany countries and forests could be highly valued through these policies asmost of the benefits produced

by forests are enjoyed locally. Here, a choice experiment explores drivers of valuation and willingness to

pay for forest carbon services in voluntary markets in Mexico by comparing the valuation of citizens from four

regions to test geographical preference for projects (n = 645). Findings from multinomial-logit models show

valuation of forest carbon services is transferable and citizens would pay more for offsets from projects closer

to their homes. Proximate forests provide a range of co-benefits to local users, including environmental services

and opportunities for recreation. Factors related to valuation include sense of responsibility, previous knowledge

of carbon emissions, previous visits to the sites, regional identification and the valuation of local environmental services (e.g. improvements in local air quality). Knowledge of spatial heterogeneity in valuation of the use of forest services can help to design market-based instruments by identifying highly valued areas for environmental services programs and carbon markets.