Natural capital accounting (NCA) broadens our standard measures of economic performance (e.g. GDP) by taking stock of the very foundation of wealth- a nation’s environmental resources. In the last decade, we have witnessed a surge in activity in this space with significant advances in the transdisciplinary science of measuring the environment’s contribution to wealth and … [Read more...] about Natural Capital Accounting for Evidence-Based Policy
Ecosystems and Biodiversity
A NEW THRUST FOR CARIBBEAN COASTAL CAPITAL
There is a growing awareness of the benefits and value of Caribbean coastal environments and marine biodiversity (coastal capital). For example, coral reefs alone provide an annual net economic value between US$3.1-4.6 billion from fisheries, dive tourism and shoreline protection. Nonetheless the region faces challenges related to the sustainable use of its natural resources, … [Read more...] about A NEW THRUST FOR CARIBBEAN COASTAL CAPITAL
Five Shades of Blue (Economy)
Recently I was having an intense conversation with a friend about the strong need for Caribbean islands to develop their economies as blue economies, insisting that it is critical for governments to make this transition as quickly as possible. I thought we had a common understanding of what the term blue economy meant until he asked if it was about the fishing industry. That … [Read more...] about Five Shades of Blue (Economy)
Making Biodiversity Mainstream: Countdown to the COP 13
In less than a month, about 10,000 participants, including representatives from country parties, observer countries, international organizations and other interested parties will meet in Cancun for the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 13). Participants will negotiate agreements and commitments to catalyze the … [Read more...] about Making Biodiversity Mainstream: Countdown to the COP 13
How Transportation Affects Nature and Vice Versa
We often ask ourselves, what do ecosystem services have to do with transportation? At the IDB, when we hear that the Environment, Rural Development, Disaster Risk Management Division (RND) has a program to mainstream biodiversity and ecosystem services into productive sector and infrastructure (BIO Program), we might well ask: “Is this another futile initiative?” That’s why I … [Read more...] about How Transportation Affects Nature and Vice Versa