Chapter 1 Framework of integration of ecology and economy ... - TEEB

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity: The Ecological and Economic FoundationsTEEB will develop specific guidance documents or “deliverables” addressing decision-making atdifferent levels in different contexts by different actors.The first guidance document addresses policy makers (TEEB 2009). It explores the consequences ofinternational and national policies on biodiversity and ecosystems and presents a TEEB policy toolkitfor decision-makers at various governmental levels. By demonstrating the value attached to ecosystemservices and considering them in concrete policies, instruments and measures (e.g., subsidies andincentives, environmental liability, market creation, national income accounting standards, tradingrules, reporting requirements, eco-labelling), it aims to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem protectionas a prerequisite for maintaining natural service levels.Local administrators are addressed by the second TEEB deliverable. It incorporates values ofecosystem services in location-specific, cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis, and their use inmethods and guidelines for implementing payments for ecosystem services, as well as equitableaccess and benefit-sharing arrangements for genetic resources and protected areas.The third TEEB deliverable focuses on the business end-user. It aims to provide a framework forassessing the business impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, both for measuring and managingrisks and identifying and grasping new market opportunities for private enterprises.Last, but not least, individuals and consumer organizations are addressed by the fourth TEEBdeliverable. It covers how to reduce their impacts on wild nature while influencing producers throughprivate purchasing decisions. This will include steps to improve consumer information on the land,water and energy resources used in producing foods and consumer goods.iTo avoid having to use both the terms ecosystems and biodiversity simultaneously all the time, the term„ecosystem‟ is used to include „biodiversity‟ throughout the chapter unless indicated otherwise (see Glossary forfurther explanation of these terms, and chapter 2 for a more in-depth discussion).ii All key terms used in TEEB are included in the Glossary, usually indicated in italics in the text.iii Acknowledging that it is quite impossible to mention all who contributed to the development of the concept ofecosystem services, some key authors and initiatives are listed in Annex 5 in the “Scoping the Science” reportby Balmford et al. (2008).iv Note that water purification is also listed as a regulating service in Appendix 2, in case the benefit is related towaste treatment. As mentioned at the beginning of section 2.3 a fully unambiguous classification systemprobably does not exist because the mix of ecosystem structure – process – function that provides the servicechanges depending on the benefit pursued.v It should also be realized that many of these disservices are the result of bad planning or management and thusoften man-made. For example “normalizing” rivers (leading to floods), cutting forest on hill slopes (causingerosion and landslides), and disturbing natural food webs (leading to outbreaks of pests).vi In this context the ecosystem can be seen as the „factory‟ providing (a bundle of) services. It is normal that, forexample, car factories include the costs of maintaining the machines and buildings in the price of the car but for28