The ongoing loss of high status waters is among the most concerning, protracted and persistent water quality trend in Ireland.  Other water quality trends have well-understood cause and effect, with detailed plans in place to mitigate impacts. More actions are necessary to protect pristine waters. Many of these waters are small, upland streams. The protection and restoration of these waters is one of the key underpinning principles of the Water Framework Directive.

Demonstration Catchment Desk Studies & Demonstration Catchment Spatial Data, Framework of Measures for HSO River Water Bodies, Guidance & Best Practice Documents, Results Based Payment Scheme

Based on our discussions with the WoL team, we have identified several activities aimed at enhancing the design of the result-based payment scheme (RBPS) implemented by WoL. (i) The UL team will conduct a baseline study to evaluate the impact of RBPS on individual non-pecuniary motivations to restore nature and on social capital in commonly-owned lands. (ii) The UL team will provide recommendations to the WoL program to finalize the RBPS design and possibly anticipate farmers' responses to these economic incentives. (iii) The UL team will conduct experiments to test alternative RBPS designs, such as introducing a collective bonus and/or a bonus for ecological score increase, along with exploring complementary payment flows linked to the financial sector (discounts on loans or insurance products).