May 31, 2011

expert comment on the impact of the recently completed National Ecosystem Assessment

The UK National Ecosystem Assessment provided the most comprehensive valuation of Britain’s natural environment and resources ever undertaken to date.

Prof Rosie Hails, of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (NERC), said:

“The UK National Ecosystem Assessment is an inventory of what society gets from nature, and for the first time this inventory has been comprehensively valued, for its economic, social and health benefits. This provides a basis for managing the environment like any business would manage its assets.

“The acid test for the UK NEA will be in whether it will help public and private institutions improve their decision making and play their role in ensuring that we get the best from nature. It will certainly help in changing society’s view of nature from that of a boundless larder to a life support system.”