Has the Green Grant Program Had an Impact on Conservation in Brazil?

Abstract

This study evaluates the effect of Green Grant program (Programa Bolsa Verde) on conservation outcomes in Brazil using data from a survey with beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. No evidence of impact on logging was found across the treated samples and groups, as well as considering the different biomes. Therefore, the results do not suggest that the longer beneficiaries are exposed to the program, the more effective it is for reducing Logging was identified. Concerning other outcome variables, this investigation identified statistically significant effects of Green Grant on Awareness of Territory Statute and purchase of New Tools. The results reveal that a larger number of recipients are aware of land regulations and that they have a higher probability of acquiring new tools and equipment for production activities than non-recipients. The estimations were performed with both Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regressions and Propensity Score Matching (PSM).MSc ib