Valuing Nature Network

What is this activity?

Natural systems play a vital role in underpinning economic activity and human wellbeing, so the Network for Valuing Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services & Natural Resources will establish a network to embed the ecosystem approach in policy and environmental decision making.

Read our story about the network on the LWEC website

What will the activity do?

It will establish partnerships and develop research capacity in valuing biodiversity, natural resources and ecosystem services.

A network to exhange information will be formed so that

a) natural scientists can appreciate the many benefits ecosystems bring to human wellbeing and make sure they provide the best science for decision makers
b) economic, social and political scientists can appreciate better the complexity of biological systems and how this affects the value of biological systems and the services they provide.

Expected outputs

- methodological developments to address the valuation challenges
- papers and reports for various audiences including researchers and policy makers
- a synthesis report to be published as a book

Expected impacts

- The main impact of the network will be enhanced research capacity and an emerging consensus about how to take integrated valuation science forwards.

Who will benefit?

Government

Research stimulated by this network will add to the advances being made in this area by the National Ecosystem Assessment and The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity study (this is a major international initiative to draw attention to the global economic benefits of biodiversity, to highlight the growing costs of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, and to draw together expertise from the fields of science, economics and policy to enable practical actions moving forward). 

This will help to consolidate the evidence base and valuation methods that both initiatives have brought together. 

It will support the continuing work of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to embed an ecosystems approach into policy and decision making across government.

PROGRAMME FACTS AND FIGURES

Start and end dates: 01/10/2010 to 31/12/2012
Website: http://www.valuing-nature.net