FORTH2O – Assessing demand drivers for water outcomes

Summary

In partnership with the Forth Rivers Trust and the University of Edinburgh Business School, FMS has been awarded funding by FORTH2O to deliver the research project: “Understanding demand and market pathways for water outcomes in the Forth catchment through buyer engagement”. 

The research project aims to accelerate the development of high-integrity natural capital markets for water outcomes delivered through nature-based solutions across the Forth catchment. These markets represent innovative and increasingly critical mechanisms to recognise, value, and ultimately protect Scotland’s natural capital assets – particularly rivers and waterways – and the vital, multifunctional ecosystem services they provide.

To achieve that, the project adopts a demand-side approach that explores potential buyers of water outcomes, including businesses with exposure to water-related risks, the drivers of their interest, their willingness to pay and viable contract models. The project will consist of a research study, stakeholder mapping, and extensive stakeholder engagement.  

Further information about the project is available on the FORTH2O’s website. 

Outputs

Not yet available.

Funding

The project is supported through the FORTH2O Commissioning Fund. The FORTH2O Partnership (Stirling Local Policy Innovation Partnership) was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ES/Y502364/1).

Partners

The project is delivered in partnership with the Forth Rivers Trust and the University of Edinburgh Business School. Other stakeholders involved in the delivery of the project include SEPA, the Scottish Government, NatureScot, Scottish Enterprise, and Scottish Water.