Conference Agenda

In recent decades, collective property rights have emerged globally as a key policy tool to promote environmental conservation. However, empirical evidence linking collective titling to improved environmental outcomes remains inconclusive, with researchers often struggling to explain their findings. This study addresses this gap by proposing that the environmental impact of titling programs is contingent on the strength of intra-community institutions, with more cohesive institutions generating greater conservation outcomes — as suggested by the literature on common pool resources. We test this argument by examining the impacts on deforestation of various programs that granted collective titles to Afro-descendant communities in Brazil over the past thirty years. Utilizing satellite imagery and survey data, we demonstrate that collective titling helps reduce deforestation. Notably, these positive effects are predominantly observed in communities with strong pre-existing collective institutions. Our results indicate that while collective titling can be an effective strategy for promoting sustainability, its success depends on the presence of robust intra-community institutions. This suggests that coupling titling programs with institutional development initiatives could be a more adequate approach for enhancing the environmental benefits of titling programs.