Jump down to beginning of page content

BSR Insight | WBCSD’s New Guide to Corporate Ecosystem Valuation

About the Author(s)

Publication Date

May 10, 2011

Share

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s “Guide to Corporate Ecosystem Valuation” helps business leaders understand the value and benefits of ecosystem services such as fresh water, food, fiber, and natural hazard protection. They can use this data to manage risks and opportunities and make more informed decisions that align financial, ecological, and societal objectives.

The guide is divided into two parts:

  1. Screening: Several questions will help company managers decide if they need to conduct an ecosystem valuation.
  2. Methodology: A five-stage process (scoping, planning, valuation, application, embedding) and 12 principles will help managers:
  • Calculate how the impacts of different scenarios will change the value of ecosystem services.
  • Place a value on the total benefits of ecosystem services.
  • Assess the distribution of ecosystem services costs and benefits across different stakeholder groups.
  • Determine sources of revenue and compensation packages related to ecosystem services benefits and losses for stakeholders.

BSR’s Ecosystem Services, Tools, and Markets Working Group will be releasing a comparison of similar tools later this month. For more information, contact Linda Hwang.

BSR Insight Topics

  • Civil & Political Rights
  • Climate Change
  • Community Engagement & Development
  • Conference
  • Conflict Minerals
  • Consumer Products
  • Economic Development
  • Economic, Social & Cultural Rights
  • Ecosystem Services
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Financial Services
  • Food, Beverage & Agriculture
  • Food Waste
  • Governance & Accountability
  • Health Care
  • Human Rights
  • Information & Communications Technology
  • Investor Perspective
  • Labor Migration
  • Labor Rights
  • Land Use & Biodiversity
  • Leadership
  • Materiality
  • Media & Entertainment
  • Mining
  • New Media
  • Philanthropy
  • Reporting & Communications
  • Return on Investment
  • Stakeholder Relations
  • Strategy & Integration
  • Supply Chain
  • Sustainable Consumption
  • Toxicity & Product Design
  • Transportation
  • Travel & Tourism
  • Water
  • Women & Sustainability

    • BSR Insight Archives

    Publications

    Blog

    Opinions, ideas, and notes from the field from BSR staff members around the world.

    BSR Insight

    A weekly member-only email newsletter, providing members with expert insights, tools, and analysis on timely global sustainability topics.

    BSR Review

    A collection of articles, research reports, and opinion pieces written or developed by BSR Sustainable Investment in China Newsletter: Helping investors support sustainable businesses, and helping businesses attract and engage these investors.

    Case Studies

    Snapshots of our impact working with business to create a just and sustainable world.

    Research Reports

    Independent, business-critical research to help you stay ahead of the curve and advance corporate responsibility.

    Sustainable Investment in China

    A quarterly newsletter will help investors in China understand how sustainable investing can mitigate business risk and create opportunities for greater financial as well as social and environmental returns.

    Sustainability Matters ★

    Snapshots of our impact working with business to create a just and sustainable world.

    ★ BSR member-only content; valid login required.

    Share Your Thoughts

    Please note, all comments are subject to moderation.


    Topics

    Ecosystem Services, Environment, Strategy & Integration

    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