The editors’ introductory article to the latest issue of the International Journal of the Commons (IJC) indicated that the journey is still a long one to arrive at claiming environmental services payment/reward mechanisms to favor both the poor and the environment. It is not to say there is no hope but one needs to be aware of the many aspects to consider when using the scheme to achieve conservation and livelihood goals.

Concluded in this issue, most pilot schemes are small in size, difficult to manage and involve relatively high transaction costs. Many studies show that cash payments are often too insignificant to have a broader impact on poverty alleviation or to provide sufficient incentives for land use changes. An article synthesizing RUPES experiences claimed that non-financial benefits, such as strengthening tenure security, increasing human and social capital, and achieving gains in social reputation vis-à-vis downstream dwellers, urban citizens, and/or state resource management agencies, are often more important for participants in such schemes.

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IJC is a new journal set-up by the International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC). As an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed open-access journal, the IJC is dedicated to furthering our understanding of institutions for use and management of resources that are (or could be) enjoyed collectively.