Natural capital is the stock of natural ecosystems that provide
long term benefits. The role they play in mitigating and adapting
to climate change, as well as improving well being, cannot be
overestimated. Quite simply, they are our life support systems. Yet
we are eroding and destroying them at a catastrophic rate, to the
point where there is real risk that they will soon be degraded such
that they are unable to provide this vital service.
CIWEM's work on natural capital is coordinated through its Natural
Capital Network.
New - May 2013
From microbes to mountains - Understanding and debating the
role of ecosystem services in environmental management - Volume
2
The terms 'ecosystem services' and 'natural capital' are
increasingly used across the environment sector and within policy
circles. They are the 'goods' on which our economic, social, mental
and cultural wellbeing are built, forming a core part of our
heritage. However, due to their complexity and relatively recent
conception, understanding of their definitions and purpose remains
weak. Alongside this, the debate surrounding the adoption of this
approach is often reduced to discussions surrounding the highly
controversial role of monetary valuation techniques. This document
consolidates CIWEMs existing publications in this area, and seeks
to inform environmental professionals through summarising the
wealth of information available into one easily digestible
document.
In doing so this report provides the background to these 'new'
approaches whilst furthering the current debate surrounding the
complexity of, and controversy surrounding their adoption.
CIWEM's Natural Capital work
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CIWEM is proud to be part of the UK partnership for
the International Year of Biodiversity 2010
(IYB-UK). IYB-UK is a diverse informal network of organisations
that have come together to promote the understanding of
biodiversity during International Year of Biodiversity. Partners
include government bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs),
universities, art organisations, community interest companies,
commercial organisations, conservation charities and wildlife
trusts. For more information see the IYB-UK website.
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CIWEM has produced two Natural Capital briefing reports
and one interim report.
Multi-functional
Urban Green infrastructure discusses the drivers and barriers
to increasing green infrastructure provision in our towns and
cities. CIWEM believes that green infrastructure can provide
sustainable regenerative solutions for the urban challenges we face
now and into the future. This briefing report is aimed at
policy-makers and practitioners.
Biodiversity and
Conservation Policy: Issues and Approaches provides
information on the ecosystems approach, habitat
fragmentation and invasive non-native species policy.
From microbes to mountains - understand the role of ecosystem
services in environmental management
The terms 'ecosystem services' and 'natural capital' are
increasingly used across the environment sector and within policy
circles. They provide the 'goods' on which our economic, social,
mental and cultural wellbeing are built, forming a core part of our
heritage. However, due to their complexity and relatively recent
conception, understanding of their definitions and purpose remains
weak. CIWEM will publish a number of documents on ecosystem
services during 2012. This initial document seeks to inform
environmental professionals through summarising the wealth of
information available into one easily digestible document.
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Policy Position Statements:
