The way we conventionally value nature is closely linked to both the way in which the global biodiversity crisis is driven, and how to address it. That’s one of the key messages of the Assessment Report on the Diverse Values and Valuation of Nature’s Summary for Policy Makers by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). IPBES is an independent intergovernmental body made up of more than 130 member governments. Future Earth is a strategic partner of IPBES, and regularly engages with the international biodiversity processes.

The four-year methodological assessment by 82 scientists and experts from all around the globe is based on more than 13,000 references. One of the main findings is that, despite there being more than 50 different ways of valuing nature, most policy making approaches focus on a narrow set of mostly monetary values (e.g. the Inclusive Wealth Index). Researchers found that out of more than 1,000 studies consulted for the assessment, only 2% consulted stakeholders on their valuation. Furthermore, most existing valuation studies are not taken up by policymakers, so decisions often lack recognition of the non-market values of nature, which comes at the expense of not only nature, but also at the expense of indigenous peoples, local communities, future generations, and society as a whole. 

The report finds that, currently, methods chosen to value nature are often influenced by power relations within society, which influences the distribution of the benefits and burdens of the decisions which are based on those value assessments. Prof. Unai Pascual, Basque Centre for Climate Change, member of the Natural Assets Knowledge-Action Network, and member of the scientific steering committee of the Global Land Programme of Future Earth co-chaired the assessment. He says, “The biggest concern is that given current power relations in society, real action does not happen. Action needs to occur in order to leverage transformative changes.” Dr. Brigitte Baptiste, member of the Natural Assets Knowledge-Action Network and member of the Scientific Committee of PECS, co-chaired the assessment. She expanded, saying, “Recognizing the role of women in the stewardship of nature and overcoming power asymmetries frequently related to gender status can advance the inclusion of the diversity of values in decisions about nature.”

Suggestions for a better way to value nature

To overcome these problems, it is important to take into account the values of nature beyond the scale of the individual. This can be done through deliberative processes or through aggregating individual values into social values while taking into account asymmetric power relations, inequity, and challenges related to representation. It is especially important to reform existing institutions and create new institutions in a way which both recognizes and respects the worldviews, values, and knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities. “We hope that governments, communities, entrepreneurs and other actors will use the outcomes to improve the way they carry biodiversity valuation processes, considering more than one approach, since simplicity has shown many undesired biases in decision making,” says Baptiste.

To move forward and catalyze transformative change, the authors suggest four key actions: 

• The recognition of the diversity of natures values by robust and relevant valuation
• A meaningful consideration of the different values of nature by embedding valuation into different phases of decision making processes 
• Reforming policy so as to realign with the diverse values of nature
• Creating spaces for deliberation, development, and shifts in societal goals and norms so as to realign with the principles of sustainability and justice

“If we are able to combine these four leverage points, then we would possibly be in a much better position to move toward more sustainable and just futures,” says Pascual. “The report is now owned not only by the scientific community at large but also by the 139 countries which are members of IPBES. We have already heard that if taken seriously, the main findings of the Values Assessment could be seen as a “game changer” regarding the ways policy makers would understand the role of the diverse values of nature and the role of undertaking valuation in decision making processes.”

“I think the findings of the Values Assessment means a lot for transformations. In fact, the whole report was written with them in mind, being a methodological assessment which identified in the uptake of plural valuation as a way to prevent and reduce environmental conflicts and promote social innovation,” says Baptiste.

Find more details and information in the Summary for Policymakers