Italian winegrowers’ acceptance of results-based agri-environmental schemes

Sammanfattning: As the debate around the cost-effectiveness of outcome-based agri-environmental schemes (AES) is growing at the European level, the potential of the payment-by-results system is currently being explored by researchers and policymakers. These payment schemes have many benefits. First, farmers can freely use locally adapted agronomical practices to better achieve environmental outcomes. Secondly, the European Union may spend its money in a more cost-effective way, as payments are awarded only if results are achieved. However, since farmers' participation is voluntary and depends on many farms and farmers' characteristics, studies aimed at understanding their preferences are necessary to enhance policy design and adoption. This thesis is the first of this kind to be conducted in Italy. Using a contingent valuation method, we investigated Italian winegrowers’ acceptance and intensity of participation in a hypothetical results-based AES targeted at pollinators’ conservation in the vineyards. We sent an online survey where participants were split into treatment (rare-species bonus) and control groups. Results show that 71% of participants are willing to participate in our scheme. While a treatment of a randomly assigned rare-species bonus had no effect on the scheme's overall acceptance, it positively influenced participation intensity. Results indicate that participants who were previously enrolled in an AES and women are more likely to enrol. Behavioral factors appear to be related to both acceptance and intensity. Considering this, the study suggests potential strategies to encourage farmer participation in results-based AES and promote biodiversity conservation.