[2012] DAMONTE, Gerardo. Ecuador’s Yasuní-ITT: Rethinking the Conservation vs. Extraction Dilemma. ELLA. Economic Development, Extractive Industries and Land Use, Policy Brief 4.

Ecuador’s innovative proposal for not developing its Yasuní-Ishpingo Tambococha Tiputini (Yasuní-ITT) oil fields presents an alternative strategy for resolving the conservation versus extractive industry development dilemma. Ecuador proposed the creation of a global fund to finance sustainable development activities in the country in exchange for indefinitely refraining from extracting the Yasuní oil deposits. In the spirit of co-responsibility, Ecuador asked the rest of the world to contribute up to 50% of the income it would forgo by choosing conservation. The initiative has been launched and is underway, though not without some controversy. This case study describes this innovative proposal and its relevance to current extractive industries and land use concerns, and finally, discusses some interesting questions for debate that the case raises. Ecuador’s innovative proposal for not developing its Yasuní-Ishpingo Tambococha Tiputini (Yasuní-ITT) oil fields presents an alternative strategy for resolving the conservation versus extractive industry development dilemma. Ecuador proposed the creation of a global fund to finance sustainable development activities in the country in exchange for indefinitely refraining from extracting the Yasuní oil deposits. In the spirit of co-responsibility, Ecuador asked the rest of the world to contribute up to 50% of the income it would forgo by choosing conservation. The initiative has been launched and is underway, though not without some controversy. This case study describes this innovative proposal and its relevance to current extractive industries and land use concerns, and finally, discusses some interesting questions for debate that the case raises.