In this interview, Franz Tattenbach shares his experiences as Executive Director of FUNDECOR (Foundation for the Protection of the Central Volcanic Mountain Chain) regarding forestry management and environmental services. He describes how FUNDECOR negotiated with the conservation community to pass the 1996 Forestry Law that allowed environmental service payments (PES) and explains how these reforms were implemented. He then evaluates the successes and impacts of the PES program before going on to describe FUNDECOR’s activities and roles in the conservation community since the 1996 law.
Other Key Terms: Cordillera, FUNDECOR (Foundation for the Protection of the Central Volcanic Mountain Chain)
At the time of this interview, Franz Tattenbach José was the US Agency for International Development Regional Climate Change Program’s Chief of Party and a Distinguished Fellow of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). Previously, he served as IISD’s President and CEO for two years and FUNDECOR’s Executive Director for seventeen, where he worked to reverse deforestation and establish sustainable forest management. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics, a master’s degree in Regional Science and Spatial Economics, and a doctorate in Economic Development and Peace Science from Cornell University.