Biodiversity

Synthesising the lessons to date in valuing biodiversity. Establishing how these values can be mainstreamed in decision making to positively affect biodiversity policy outcomes. Highlighting biodiversity’s contribution to people’s wellbeing and how wellbeing is affected by biodiversity. Focussing on Willingness to Pay (WTP) and the cost of meeting an agreed policy target for biodiversity.

“Shedding light on people’s preferences”. Benefitting decision makers at the coalface. Providing a more straightforward ways to convey information about biodiversity risks and impacts. This research will act as a proof of principle for how biodiversity’s value can be estimate and applied in policy appraisal. Including legislation regarding biodiversity net gain for housing developers. Offering policy makers a practical insight reagrding how to better reflect biodiversity’s values within economic decisions. HM Treasury will benefit directly. Justification for updating the Treasury Green Book. Also decision makers at Natural England and Local Planing Authorities (who currently act as the Completent Authority for ascertaining if net-gain is achieved. Through a chain of improved decision making, the general public will benefit from outcomes which better reflect their preferences and enhance social welfare. Thus biodiversity will be enhanced by fostering decisions which better reflect its value.