The Valuing Nature Programme created a ‘Demystifying…’ series, bringing together experts to explain the key concepts that might cause confusion in the wider Valuing Nature community and to agree on principles of good practice.
The Demystifying Series includes:
Published
- Economic Valuation
- Health
- Health Metrics
- Cost Benefit Analysis
- Green finance
- Shared and Social Values
- Valuing Arts and Arts Research
- Interdisplinary Working
- Tipping Points
Abstract Summaries
Demystifying Economic Valuation
This paper brought together volunteers from the economic valuation community to agree on a principles paper that can be used to communicate with other disciplines and the users of the economic value evidence.
Over 120 volunteers from the economic valuation community were involved in preparing the paper which demystifies the main issues, questions and principles surrounding economic valuation and is designed as an overview for those new to economic valuation.
Demystifying Health
This report in the Demystifying Series on Health from the Valuing Nature Programme discusses the contested and complex concept of ‘health’ reflecting on the many different definitions and conceptualisations.
A group of 80 contributors provided input to the community report which was led by Rebecca Lovell, European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School.
Demystifying Green Finance
This publication is intended to be a first port of call for finance related terms, key players and links to further reading and initiatives. It aims to shed light on what green finance means, where it sits wihtin the wider finance and investment sector, how to defind and measure impacts and associated returns from it, and to help improve understanding of what investors consider an investable project.
Demystifying Health Metrics
This report is the fourth in the Demystifying Series, and aims to unpack quantitative measures of health & wellbeing to demonstrate the value of the natural environment for human health & wellbeing for the natural capital community. It provides a synthesis and integration of knowledge and understanding from multiple disciplinary perspectives including policy, practice and academic sectors.
Cost Benefit Analysis
Cost Benefit Analysis is the main tool economists use to analyse these trade-offs to support decisions. This demystifying paper is for those who would like to have an introduction to this analysis. It covers the basic steps of CBA and puts it in the context of policy and public sector decision making in the UK (including the Treasury Green Book). Different applications of the analysis are covered and examples provided.
Demystifying Shared and Social Values
Shared and social values have been recognised as an important value stream within the Valuing Nature Network since its inception. This paper introduces key concepts and approaches surrounding shared and social values for, of and about the natural environment. It was authored by Jasper Kenter with the support from 45 collaborators
Valuing Arts and Arts Research
This report discusses the role of the arts, artists and arts research in addressing complex landscape, environmental, and valuing nature research questions and problems. It provides an account of what creative practice has brought and can bring to research. It will be of benefit for all those who are interested in developing research collaborations that involve researchers from the arts, humanities, social and natural sciences and experts from policy and practice.
Demystifying Interdisciplinary Working (in Valuing Nature)
With the growing need to find solutions to the myriad complex issues the world is facing, transformative approaches are needed. Although thinking in individual disciplinary terms is as crucial as ever in order to progress specialist approaches, to address the complex technical, societal and environmental challenges we also need to break down the disciplinary silos, think outside the usual boxes, and bring a broad range of approaches together to best understand and provide solutions to these challenges. This report, aimed at a broad audience of both specialists and non-specialists with an interest in working beyond the traditional boundaries, provides a summary of what one need to know to undertake interdisciplinary work.
Link to the Interdisciplinary Working (in Valuing Nature) paper
Demystifying Tipping Points and other forms of abrupt ecosystem changes
This, the final of the Demystifying Series, provides a simple explanation of the concept of the 'tipping point' for policy-makers and practitioners involved in safeguarding and restoring nature and who may be well-placed to address tipping points, but may not necessarily be well versed in the science behind it. Tipping point in it's simplest form it is the point at which cirtical mass is reached - and in this report the reader is taken through tipping points as they apply to the climate system, ecosystems and ecosystem services, and socio-ecological systems, providing examples and addressing the application of evidence in policy and practice.
