An environmental management scheme is a mechanism by which landowners and other individuals and bodies responsible for

land management Land management is the process of managing the use and development (in both urban and rural settings, but it is mostly managed in Urban places.) of land resources. Land resources are used for a variety of purposes which may include organic ...

can be incentivised to manage their environment.

Schemes by country

Australia

Several schemes (programmes) are or have been in operation in Australia, including: * National Heritage Trust Funds (1 and 2) * National Action Plan for Salinity * Caring for Our Country Other programmes exist with the various states, for example; New South Wales - Catchment Action Plan

United Kingdom

Several schemes are or have been in operation in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

, including: * Countryside Stewardship * Environmental Stewardship * Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme Currently England operates: * Entry Level Stewardship * Higher Level Stewardship * Organic Entry Level Stewardship * Higher Level Organic Entry Level stewardship All of these schemes are administered by Natural England

Scotland

In 2007 Scotland adopted the SRDP (Scottish Rural Development Programme - a £1.6 billion programme of economic, environmental and social measures designed to develop rural Scotland. Individuals and groups may seek support to help deliver the Government's strategic objectives in rural Scotland.

Wales

Until recently the prevailing agri-environment scheme in Wales was Tir Gofal, which means literally ‘Land Care’. It was the first scheme in Wales, and indeed in Europe, aimed at promoting whole farm conservation and management. It was different from previous schemes, as it brought farming and conservation into a different level of partnership. It was recently announced that this scheme has ceased, with a bridging payment scheme until its replacement is launched.

France

In some countries such as

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan ar ...

, such schemes may be initiated by the central government: *

Schéma directeur d'aménagement et de gestion des eaux In France, the schéma directeur d'aménagement et de gestion des eaux (SDAGE) aims to put into effect the principles of the law of 3 January 1992 on the level of the major hydrographic basins. In translation, its name is outline for the organiza ...

Switzerland

Switzerland started reforming its agricultural policies in 1993 and after a referendum in 1996, since 1998 the country has linked the attribution of farm subsidies with the strict observance of good environmental practice. Before farmers can apply for subsidies, they must obtain certificates of environmental management systems (EMS) proving that they: “make a balanced use of fertilizers; use at least 7% of their farmland as ecological compensation areas; regularly rotate crops; adopt appropriate measures to protect animals and soil; make limited and targeted use of pesticides.”Swiss Environmental Statistics Office.
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References

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