BSR Insight | Moving Toward an Ecosystem Approach to Natural Resources Management
As we prepare for the Copenhagen climate negotiations, there is a parallel discussion about the need for an "ecosystem approach" that includes ecological restoration and biological conservation to counter the loss of ecosystem services caused by climate change. Ecosystem services—the collective benefits, such as clean water, that people obtain from healthy, functioning ecosystems—represent a new development in the relationship between society and nature.
Many human-induced factors negatively impact ecosystem services, but we don't yet know how business activities will be affected by the reduced capacity of these services. As noted in a recent report, we have not yet developed a method to assign value to these services. Therefore, businesses that may rely on ecosystem services are not able to incorporate their value into existing financial, strategic, and other planning processes. As more policy-makers and companies recognize the importance of accounting for ecosystem services, tools that assess and quantify the value of these services will be crucial.
About the Author(s)
Linda Hwang, Former Manager, Research
Topics
Related Content
Sustainable Investment in China article: As Environmental Protests Increase, New Implications for Business and Investment
BSR Insight: Sustainable Procurement in Practice: AT&T, Best Buy, and Dell
Share Your Thoughts
Please note, all comments are subject to moderation.