The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity in National and International Policy Making

About this book

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) study 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, the benefits of investing in natural capital, and to draw together expertise from the fields of science, economics and policy to enable practical actions. Drawing on a team of more than one hundred authors and reviewers, this book demonstrates the value of ecosystems and biodiversity to the economy, society and individuals, highlights the urgency for strategic policy making and action at national and international levels, and presents examples of policies in action from around the world.

It highlights the need for new public policy to reflect the appreciation that public goods and social benefits are often overlooked by a 'maximise private benefit' approach. It explores the range of instruments to reward those offering ecosystem service benefits, to reduce the incentives of those running down our natural capital, and to offer subsidies that respond to future priorities. The authors also consider two major areas of investment in natural capital - protected areas and investment in restoration. Overall the book demonstrates how we can take into account the value of ecosystems and biodiversity in policy decisions - at national and international levels - to promote the protection of our environment.

Contents

List of Figures, Tables and Boxes List of Contributors Acknowledgements Preface List of Acronyms and Abbreviations Introduction 1. The Global Biodiversity Crisis and Related Policy Challenge 2. Framework and Guiding Principles for the Policy Response 3. Strengthening Indicators and Accounting Systems for Natural Capital 4. Recognising the Value of Biodiversity: New Approaches to Policy Assessment 5. Rewarding Benefits through Payments and Markets 6. Reforming Subsidies 7. Addressing Losses through Regulation and Pricing 8. Recognising the Value of Protected Areas 9. Investing in Ecological Infrastructure 10. Transforming our Approach to Natural Capital: the Way Forward Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

This volume is an output of TEEB: The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity study and has been edited by Patrick ten Brink, Senior Fellow at the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) and head of the Brussels office. TEEB is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and supported by the European Commission, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU) and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), recently joined by Norway's Ministry for Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands' Ministry of Housing (VROM), the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and also the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The study leader is Pavan Sukhdev, who is also Special Adviser - Green Economy Initiative, UNEP.