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Relational values emphasize the desirable characteristics of nature–society relationships. Unlike instrumental values, relational values have not yet been subjected to monetary quantification, although they may be relevant to environmental policymaking or climate change adaptation decisions which often rely on cost–benefit approximations. This paper explores the quantification of relational values within a contingent valuation scenario both in monetary (one-time donation) and non-monetary terms (Likert-scale, ranking) as well as using a measure that elicits the desired allocation of government budget for adaptation. We conduct two surveys within the context of adaptation projects, aiming to protect the traditional lifestyles of atoll islanders on the Solomon Islands and coastal communities in Bangladesh. In these surveys, we employ two valuation scenarios – one with explicit mention of relational value losses, and one without. Information on relational losses led to no increases in monetary or non-monetary valuation but to a slightly higher allocation of government budget in Bangladesh. We further assess and discuss the validity of our measures, also accounting for respondents' financial situation. Our findings suggest that emphasizing relational losses could significantly increase disaster management funding in Bangladesh, with a potential 55% budget increase based on our treatment effect. We further discuss the difficulties in quantifying relational values in a context with limited ability to pay and the importance of considering deliberative approaches for ensuring that all dimensions of human-nature relationships are adequately considered in adaptation policy decision-making. Key policy highlights: Using different methods, we highlight that monetary quantification, solely through individual willingness to pay, may not sufficiently capture complex relational values. We use a monetary measure eliciting individuals' preferences for government budget allocation to environmental and climate change disaster management. Economic valuation based on budget allocation preferences yields higher values than 30 traditional willingness to pay methods and correlates stronger with people's stated relational values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soils have the capacity to contribute to human wellbeing through a variety of pathways. Preserving these contributions in light of human and climate-induced changes requires consideration of the numerous benefits – both in research and policy-making. Previous research has demonstrated how the benefits can be recognized through valuation, but a comprehensive understanding of how different types of valuation of soil-mediated contributions to people (SmCPs) are incorporated across various contexts is missing. Under the framework of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the current study undertook a systematic review of the literature to identify knowledge gaps and future research agendas in understanding the value of SmCPs to people. We analyse the frequency of methods, data and actors included in the studies as well as the consideration of drivers and quality of life categories linked to the valuation of SmCPs. Although the majority of studies were solely concerned with either monetary or non-monetary valuation approaches, several studies acknowledged the limitations of pure economic valuation and attempted an integrated valuation of both non-monetary and monetary approaches. Despite these efforts, there is further potential for fully integrating both monetary and non-monetary valuation methods to encompass a more comprehensive valuation approach through interdisciplinary approaches. Key policy highlights: Soils provide important contributions to human wellbeing that have so far been given too little consideration in policymaking The value of soil mediated contributions to people is manifold and clearly calls for an interdisciplinary perspective to understand and to acknowledge the complexity of soil ecosystems The contributions can be valued with both monetary and nonmonetary methods, and integrative approaches that incorporate both types of methods and better take the diversity of values into account. Recognising the values of soils by taking an interdisciplinary and integrated perspective that capture the value of the full range of contributions and the associated tradeoffs with changes in soil management improves policy outcomes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Beaches are among the world's most important coastal ecosystems, within which surf zones are crucial providers of essential ecosystem services to humans. We completed the first estimate of current and potential monetary value of fishery resources in surf zones of beaches on the southwestern Iberian Peninsula. Over 1 year, five beaches in the Gulf of Cádiz were sampled using a beach seine. For monetary valuation, average first‐sale prices were used, with a capital update based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The 189.16 kg of 38 commercial species captured had a potential monetary value (PMV) of 408.63 €/ha. The annual value of adult fish (19 species) averaged 115.05 €/ha and juvenile fish (33 species) averaged 293.58 €/ha. Our findings highlight the value of surf zones and beaches as fishery resources, similar to other marine ecosystems. Our findings are useful for ongoing monitoring and research to enhance knowledge of these areas and the array of ecosystem services they provide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the German Football League's guidelines, football clubs are expected to contribute to sustainable development. This study analyzes football fans' interest in and willingness-to-pay for socially and environmentally sustainable merchandise clothing. Data from fans of a German Football Bundesliga club were collected using an online survey in 2022 (n = 1,019). A set of linear, logistic, log-linear, and zero-inflated Poisson regressions was estimated. The estimations reveal that environmental concerns, environmental knowledge, past purchase of merchandise products, and awareness of sustainable labels significantly positively affect fans' interest in sustainable clothing. The probability of reporting a positive willingness-to-pay (>€0) is significantly positively affected by fans' interest in sustainable clothes. Team identification has a significant negative effect on the amount of willingness-to-pay for a sustainable t-shirt in the subsample of respondents with a positive willingness-to-pay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assess the ecosystem services across the entire Baltic Sea using ecosystem model simulations and historical socio-economic data. Our approach covers 150 years, aggregated for the years around 1880, 1960, and 2010. The ecosystem services assessed include commercially usable wild fish biomass and wild plant biomass, water quality regulation (nitrogen and phosphorus retention), carbon storage, biodiversity and habitats, as well as active recreation and landscape aesthetics. In 2010, the commercially usable fish biomass in the entire Baltic Sea was 9.24 million tons. The total retention of nitrogen in the Baltic Sea was 884,135 t/a, phosphorus retention was 32,058 t/a, and carbon storage was 3,668,100 t/a. Between 1880 and 2010, the Baltic Sea-wide average biodiversity index decreased from 73 to 60, the active recreational quality index decreased from 76 to 69, and the observational recreation index declined from 91 to 78. In 2010, the most monetarily significant single ecosystem service in the Baltic Sea was nitrogen retention with EUR 26,822 million/a, followed by cultural ecosystem services. Other relevant services were fish catches (EUR 277 million/a), phosphorus retention (EUR 3854 million/a), and carbon storage (202 million/a). The latter recently showed a steep increase due to rising prices for CO2 certificates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature's contributions to people (NCP) are contributions of natural capital to people's quality of life, being at the center of political and societal concern. There is an increasing recognition of businesses' responsibility toward conservation and responsible use of natural capital. In this exploratory study, we identified gains of corporate investments on natural capital, focusing on LIPOR, a waste management company that closed and converted a dumpsite into a multifunctional Urban Green Space. We gathered and reviewed available data and concluded that there are €113,020,478 in NCP benefits, from €7,760,032 business investments by LIPOR, roughly representing a positive cost–benefit ratio of 14, over 2 decades. Results suggest that well‐targeted business investments in natural capital can provide high rates of return associated with people's benefits. Our case study contributes to fulfilling a gap in business literature by deliberately linking rates of investment on natural capital with the valuation of NCP benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper aims to assess the effects of landscape change in a mountain river basin in the north of Iran through quantifying, mapping, and assessing carbon storage. The analyses were performed based on previous alterations in land use and land cover (LULC) (1988–2018) and on expected changes determined by three LULC alteration setups for 2048. The Landsat imagery from 2018, 2008, 1998, and 1988 was used for evaluating and predicting the spatiotemporal distributions of LULC changes. The future LULC image prediction has been generated using Land Change Modeler (LCM) module of TerrSet software for the years 2028, 2038, and 2048. Validation was carried out by overlaying the actual and projected to 2018 map. We integrated the Markov Chain (MC) and InVEST Carbon Storage and Sequestration (InVEST-CSS) models for simulating the ecosystem carbon storage and the long-term monetary valuation. In this process, we considered social costs/economic value because of the area's loss and gain of stored carbon. The results show that forests and rangelands with good and poor conditions decreased by 631.2, 10,374, and 10,254 ha, respectively, from 1988 to 2018. Overall, modeling and mapping LULC changes showed a descending trend in forests (0.66%), agriculture (0.1%), and rangelands (4.1%) in 2048. In addition, carbon storage has already been lost by 9.9 million tons (76.98 ha−1) from 1988 to 8.8 million tons (68.86 ha−1) in 2018 and is expected to have an 8.4 million tons (65.25 ha−1) loss by 2048. Monitoring the economic value of carbon storage from 1988 to 2018 shows a loss of $US 15684338 (121.8 ha−1) and estimates a loss of $US6972622 (54.18 ha−1) by 2048. Therefore, spatiotemporal design of InVEST model by estimating the carbon value over time focuses on continuous monitoring actions for both the carbon pools dynamic and LULC pattern. This consideration causes reduction the uncertainty of estimated models and also increases the continuous cost of those changes. This will help government and decision makers for long-term and accurate carbon sequestration strategies for ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper I consider various shifts in my research and understanding stimulated by seeking how to combat social ecological crises connected to modern economies. The discussion and critical reflections are structured around five papers that were submitted to Environmental Values in an open call to address my work. A common aspect is the move away from neoclassical environmental economics, and its reductionist monetary valuation, to a more realist theory and multiple methods. This relates to my work on environmental ethics, plural values, stated preference validity and deliberative monetary valuation. Expanding beyond the narrow confines of mainstream orthodoxy has involved exploring a range of other disciplines (e.g. applied philosophy, social psychology, human geography, political science, social anthropology, history of thought and philosophy of science) and learning from this literature to rethink economics and develop social ecological economics. A broad range of subjects are covered here, including: personal responsibility, social practice, psychology of the individual, participatory processes, value (intrinsic, instrumental and relational), Nature–society relationships and interdependencies, critical realism and the conduct of unifying interdisciplinary science. I end with a series of comments concerning the failings of orthodox economics and the conduct of scientific research for social ecological transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars have critiqued mainstream economic approaches to environmental valuation for decades. These critiques have intensified with the increased prominence of environmental valuation in decision-making. This paper has three goals. First, we summarise prominent critiques of monetary valuation, drawing mostly on the work of Clive Spash, who worked extensively on cost–benefit analysis early in his career and then became one of monetary valuation's most thorough and ardent critics. Second, we, as a group of scholars who study relational values, describe how relational values research engages with and addresses many of the critiques of monetary valuation. Third, we offer suggestions for relational values research that continues and deepens its ability to respond to critiques of monetary valuation and contributes to transformative change towards sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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There is a discourse in the international literature regarding the impact of large sporting events on the place where they are held. In the last few years, particular emphasis has been laid on intangible effects, including social impacts that may occur not only in the case of mega sporting events but also in smaller sporting events. Therefore, the main aim of this paper is to estimate the monetary value of intangible social benefits of differently sized sporting events held in two sporting arenas in Gdańsk, Poland, using the contingent valuation method.Introduction. Material and methods. The research concerns four sporting events of various sizes organised in Gdańsk in 2012-2023. In each case, a hypothetical event scenario was used to determine the willingness to pay among the surveyed inhabitants of Gdańsk. A tobit model was used to determine the statistical relationship between the proposed monetary offers and social impacts. It was found that sporting events, regardless of their size, determine the occurrence of social impacts among host city residents. Even though aggregated values are lower in the case of smaller events, when added together, they constitute a higher percentage of actual public expenditure incurred on the construction of sports facilities.Results. By valuing intangible effects, it is possible, at least partially, to justify the spending of public funds for the organisation of sporting events. At the same time, smaller sporting events have more significant potential for host city residents than mega sporting events.Conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Oiconomy Pricing approach provides an innovative way of measuring and communicating (un)sustainability of products. It expresses (un)sustainability in a virtual monetary unit, the 'Eco Social Cost Unit' (ESCU). As closely as possible, the ESCU score of a product equals the externalities, which can also be described as hidden preventative costs. In the context of product sustainability assessment, these are the costs that need to be spent to avoid any damage to the environment or society that the product causes during its entire lifecycle. This paper presents the result of a pilot project with three companies operating in global value chains, applying the Oiconomy Sustainability Assessment Tool. The project encouraged end‐producer companies and their value chain partners to calculate the hidden preventative costs and jointly implement sustainable solutions. This article presents the results of these calculations for the three cases, the experiences of the companies and the implications for the market introduction of the tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many protected wild animal species are threatened with extinction because of degraded forest habitats. We conducted a monetary assessment of social responses to this issue in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Respondents were asked to determine a monetary value for forest services, and we measured willingness to pay (WTP) using the collection of compensation funds every year for five years. A descriptive statistical model, a correlation analysis, and a double-bounded dichotomous choice (DBDC) model were used in this study. There were 92.1% of respondents who claimed to be aware of the environment, as well as 96% of protected animals, and 89.8% who agreed with the compensation fund. There is a need for current socialization of the environmental situation, and it is necessary to consider education and income factors for real actions in the future. The estimated monetary value probability for WTP was determined using accepting the median estimate of IDR 264,820 (USD 18.26). These results estimated the value of annual forest protection over five years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One way to better appreciate the value of rangelands with the purpose of developing better policies and make sustainable use of these resources is to determine the monetary valuation of the ecosystem services of these rangelands. Thus, the present study aimed to estimate the economic values of provisioning and regulating services of Rig Ishaqabad Rangeland in Kerman Province, Iran. To this end, samples of the soil and vegetation cover of the region were taken. Following conduction of various experiments, the type and texture of the soil and its content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrients, the soil erosion coefficient, and the amount of carbon absorption for each vegetation type were determined. Then, the monetary values of forage production, carbon absorption, oxygen production, soil production, nutrient absorption, and erosion prevention were estimated using the Revealed Preference Approach. According to the findings, in 2019, the total economic value of the rangeland's services was USD 0.54 million; and the values of provisioning and regulating services were USD 260,102.85 and 283,841.77, respectively. In addition, the economic value of vegetation types of Artemisia sieberi-Denderostellera lessertii (Ar si-De Le), Denderostellera lessertii- Peganum harmala (De le-Pe ha), Cousinia congesta (Co co), Calligonum polygonoides- Astragalus sp (Capo-As sp), Artemisia Sieberi-Peganum harmala (Ar si-Pe ha) were USD 115,466.42, 159,045.6, 54,815.14, 85,220.66, and 129,396.78, respectively. Based on the results, the De le-Pe ha vegetation type was of the highest value with a value of 49.07 US dollars per hectare. The calculated monetary values can be a useful tool in determining the long-term rental rate of this rangeland and determine the amount of investment to preserve or restore it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to assess the economic value of recreation as an ecosystem service enjoyed by hikers in Hungary's forests. The assessment is carried out in the framework of a national undertaking to map and assess the state of ecosystems and their services in Hungary under the EU's biodiversity strategy. As is common in the policymaking context, the constraints of the project did not allow for a primary study. We therefore rely on previous studies and combine several approaches to arrive at a value estimate on two scales. First, we conduct a local case study, calculating travel costs for the Pilis Biosphere Reserve, a popular hiking area where visitor surveys are available. We then estimate the unit (value per visit) and total value of forest recreation for the whole country by a different approach, based on foreign studies via benefit transfer. We find that the results from the two approaches are consistent and that the monetary value of forest recreation (in the form of hiking/walking) is approximately 10 million EUR/year for the Pilis Biosphere Reserve and approximately 100 million EUR/year for the whole country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity generation produces impacts on the natural and human environment that need to be measured and properly managed. This investigation describes the potential of integrating LCA with monetary valuation to quantify the magnitude of these impacts in economic terms (€). Fourteen power generation technologies (5 fossil, 8 renewable and nuclear, based in Spain) were evaluated using LCA on 18 midpoint and 3 endpoint categories, as listed in ReCiPe2016. The results showed very high external costs in fossil technologies (from 435 to 636 €/MWh for coal-based to 109–154 €/MWh for natural gas) and significantly lower for renewables (5–77 €/MWh) and nuclear (3.3 €/MWh), with higher values corresponding to biomass and lowest to wind power and nuclear. External costs from fossil technologies were dominated by damage to human health caused by climate change, particulate emissions and exhaustion of fossil resources generated during the operation stage. External costs from renewables were dominated by the same categories plus exhaustion of mineral resources, in this case produced during the extraction of raw materials stage. These results demonstrate the profound unsustainability of fossil, whose external costs largely exceed wholesale market prices. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A systematic review evaluates monetary and non-monetary methods for valuing ecosystem services in Marine Protected Areas • Predominant use of monetary valuation, with potential benefits of integrating non-monetary approaches • Need for innovative methodologies to address gaps in assessing supporting and regulating services in Marine Protected Areas • Emphasis on assessing the use values of Marine Protected Areas, with a call for more attention to non-use and option values Effectively managing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) requires recognising and understanding the fundamental services offered by marine ecosystems and the socio-economic consequences that their changes will have. A systematic literature review was performed to generate a first in-detail screening and assessment of monetary and non-monetary methods for the valuation of ecosystem services (ES) and their application in MPAs and MPA networks. A total of 100 peer-reviewed papers on ES valuation within MPAs and MPA networks were identified and analysed. Valuation methods can be classified into nine monetary and seven non-monetary methodologies. There is a predominant use of monetary valuation methodologies, especially stated preference methods. However, combining monetary with non-monetary valuation approaches can provide deeper insights into the underlying reasons for assigning values to ES and offer enhanced opportunities to capture the value of services that may be challenging to express solely in monetary terms. Besides, the review underscores the gaps in assessment methodologies, particularly in addressing supporting and regulating ES, as well as non-use and option values related to MPAs, underscoring the need for innovative approaches to overcome challenges in capturing these essential components of marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Environmental impact of the biorefinery varied with the allocation approach. • Technology maturity and byproduct valorization limit the use of economic allocation. • Oligosaccharides' price and byproduct valorization influence economic profitability. • Environmental prices reduced the environmental cost of fossil-based chemicals. • Ecotax and Ecovalue12 benefited the environmental cost of biobased chemicals. Sugar beet pulp, a byproduct from sugar beet refining, is used by farmers as fertilizer or sold as animal feed. Both options underestimate the potential of sugar beet pulp as a platform to produce specialty and bulky chemicals as a promising pathway for sustainable biochemicals – mind the pulp. This study proposes a biorefinery concept to produce food additives (pectin-derived oligosaccharides) and bulky chemicals (terephthalic acid). Since the biorefinery has a low technology readiness level (TRL = 1), it is relevant to evaluate the feasibility of this biorefinery concept to provide guidance (at an early stage) on the environmental and economic advantages and limitations. For this purpose, the life cycle assessment and techno-economic assessment frameworks are used to assess the environmental impact and economic performance of the biobased terephthalic acid, respectively. Moreover, environmental impacts are accounted for in economic terms using different monetary valuation methods (environmental prices, Ecovalue12, and Ecotax). The environmental impact of biobased terephthalic acid was higher in most impact categories than the fossil counterpart, depending on the selected allocation approach (mass vs economic). The economic feasibility of the proposed biorefinery is highly dependent on the pectin-derived oligosaccharides market price and the valorization of byproducts (humins and levulinic acid). The selection of the monetary valuation method is critical for monetizing environmental impacts when comparing biobased against fossil-based alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harnessing reliable and relevant information on ecosystems requires focusing and prioritising information acquisition on dimensions of interest. As a boundary object between ecosystem monitoring, research and public decision-making, ecosystem accounting can serve this purpose. We develop an argument in favour of a set of accounts, consistent with the statistical standard part of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA-EA), that explicitly links monetary accounts to ecosystem extent and condition accounts. The ecosystem condition account is structured in three categories reflecting the main values motivating integrated ecosystem management targets and notions of «good ecological status». These categories are: (i) the maintenance of their heritage dimensions, (ii) their capacity to sustainably provide ecosystem services and (iii) the maintenance of their overall functionality. We discuss how such ecosystem accounts and associated monitoring can form the basis both for assessing an ecological debt by using a cost-based approach and for designing an action-orientated information system suitable to support the transition towards sustainable societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we demonstrate value generalisation from a sample of ecosystem assets – municipally managed trees - to all tree assets within an urban ecosystem accounting area. A Bayesian network model is used to machine-learn non-parametric correlation patterns between biophysical site condition variables and output variables of an ecosystem service model – here iTree Eco for modelling the regulating services of urban forests. The paper also demonstrates the use of spatial Bayesian network modelling to quantify the reliability of value generalisation for accounting purposes. Value generalisation entails inferring ecosystem service values for all locations in an ecosystem accounting area, where the accounting practitioner has less information about the asset and its context, than in an available sample of managed sites within the accounting area. The modelling is carried out as a "proof-of-principle" of potential value generalisation and uncertainty analysis methods for ecosystem accounting. It does not cover all regulating ecosystem services of urban forests, nor cultural services. While noting that wide confidence intervals for generalised values pose challenges for using monetary accounts for the accounting purpose of change detection, we find that tree-specific asset valuation is possible in an urban accounting setting. Our findings serve the purpose of raising awareness about asset values of urban green infrastructure, to bring them more on a par with grey infrastructure in urban planning. We also argue that the reliability of the asset value of individual trees is also good enough to be used for non-accounting purposes, such as municipal tree damage assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of land use functions (LUFs) has been widely employed to study and manage sustainable development. However, its employment is barely based on actual land uses. Difficulties in the accessibility of data and comparability of results also hinder the wide application of contemporary LUF frameworks on sustainability analysis. To fill these gaps, this study improves the LUF framework in which the monetary value of economic, social, and environmental LUF is evaluated using land use data. This framework is then used to examine how different LUFs relate to each other in Shandong, China. Results show that, at the township level, monetary values of economic and social functions are positively correlated, but are both negatively correlated with environmental function. All three functions grew between 2009 and 2018 in Shandong. Results also suggest that a focus on quantitative trade-offs of these three LUFs is insufficient; rather, their spatial balance also requires attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate assessment of ecosystem services is important for the development of policies and management plans related to forestry activities and the environment. Carefully identified ecosystem values can determine which options policy makers should prioritize to provide the greatest benefit. There are numerous methods used by researchers to evaluate ecosystem services. The most widely applied methods are monetary valuation methods, they are often deemed to be the most pragmatic language when it comes to communication with political and business institutions. The main goal of this review is to analyse available literature using the methodology particular to the scoping review approach in order to identify and describe valuation methods that can be applied for monetary assessment of ecosystem services. As a result of the scoping review, over 20 monetary valuation techniques (including several less common methods such as willingness to sell and Delphi method) were derived from 16 literature sources. In the process of compiling the range of different methods, a few flaws and gaps in the communication of methods were observed such as lack of consistency in the names of different methods and mixing up concepts. In addition, a few areas for future research are suggested.

Virtually every country has a problem with preserving protected wild animals, and some countries have their way of protecting animals through legal measures. Animals are a nation's wealth, just as are forest timber and non-timber forest products. This asset has an economic value that is worth quantifying. Ecosystem assessment is becoming an increasingly crucial factor in determining how much the environment contributes to economic value. Such studies require additional monetary modeling and evaluation of non-market services. This research presents a willingness to pay (WTP) approach to calculate the value of protecting wild animal species. The study area was in North Sulawesi, one of Indonesia's provinces located at the northern tip of Sulawesi Island. The questionnaire format for collecting data was the dichotomous choice contingency assessment method (DCCVM), and the sample size was 428 respondents. Based on willingness to pay, we assessed the contingency of single bounded dichotomous choice (SBDC) by estimating each protected animal's average (mean) value in three classes, namely mammals, birds, and reptiles. The mean result of the monetary assessment of protected mammal species was IDR 1,801,870 (USD 124.27), IDR 836,670 (USD 57.70) for protected bird species, and IDR 819,700 (USD 56.53) for protected reptiles. Any loss in wild animals incurs a natural resource debt burden for future generations to repay, just as does forest loss. If we do not want to leave the forest empty for our future generations, we must continue implementing nature conservation measures, including the protection and restoration of wild animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disaster loss indicators compatible with DesInventar Sendai were delineated to facilitate reporting to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), and enable monetary valuation of disaster impacts in Malaysia. A standard means of collecting disaggregated information to ensure compliance to SFDRR targets is a challenge for many governments. A systematic review of the literature facilitated the extraction of an array of disaster loss indicators, which were compared to four global disaster databases and three national datasets for compatibility. Suitable indicators, validated through focus group discussions, were used to develop a data collection template with embedded models, which enables rapid calculation of disaster loss after an event. The template will support the advancement of evidence-based policymaking and reporting to the SFDRR.

The main purpose of the paper is to provide a monetary valuation of social benefits in connection with the hypothetical implementation of technological innovations at four Euro 2012 stadiums in Poland. Not only the construction of the sport's arenas, but also the ongoing maintenance drain the pockets of Polish taxpayers. At the same time Euro 2012 stadiums remain underused, which familiarize the host cities with the concept of 'white elephants'. Due to the application of the contingent valuation method (CVM), the social effects obtained by the residents of four Polish cities were linked to proposed technological innovations, which were given appropriate monetary values. The research has proved the importance of technological innovations at the Euro 2012 stadiums in Poland. As a result, the residents of four Polish cities valued the social benefits related to the implementation of these innovations at PLN 70 million (USD 18 million). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystems are maintained due to interactions between biotic and abiotic elements of nature, generating ecosystem services (ES), which are the goods and services enjoyed by society. The term ES has been used in relation to biodiversity; however, many services occur through the interaction between biotic and abiotic elements. Thus, this article aimed to verify how geodiversity was addressed in ES research, and also, to identify which monetary valuation methods can be used for geodiversity. To facilitate selection, essential geodiversity variables (EGV) were used to determine the keywords for the abiotic elements of nature. This study analyzed 468 articles, of which 226 regard abiotic elements. So, even when not nominally cited, geodiversity is hidden in traditional approaches in ES. Monetary valuation is an important tool to highlight the contributions of ES to society. Although there are not specific methods of monetary valuation of ES provided by geodiversity, this survey shows 16 articles already valuing the abiotic part of nature. These methods can be categorized into water, atmosphere, and other elements of geodiversity, and this categorization can help future methods be chosen that better suit research related to the monetary valuation of ecosystem services with a focus on geodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing environmental concerns in supply chain is a challenge, where one of the greatest difficulties is quantifying the environmental impacts. This quantification in abstract units is often done, but it does not always allow decision‐makers to understand how their supply chains' influence the environment. In this regard, environmental quantification in monetary units can be an asset but, on this, not enough information exists about their application in supply chain. This work intends to develop a decision support tool for the design and planning of closed‐loop supply chains accounting for the monetization of environmental impacts, exploring the most used monetization methods. As main contributions, this paper supports the understanding of the methodological basis of the main monetization methods. This is then embedded into an optimization‐based decision supporting tool that defines the design and planning of supply chain allowing to conclude on the most appropriate methods to used when considering supply chain environmental performance. From the results is also demonstrated how the different monetization methods can influence the supply chain design and planning. A set of main recommendations to decision‐makers and researchers is provided that support the definition of supply chain strategy towards greener systems allowing the evolution of the currently practiced knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient input from estuarine producers underpins coastal fisheries production and knowing which producers are the most responsible for fish diet helps effectively protect and restore coastal ecosystems. Focussing on the Richmond River in Australia as a case study, we sampled the main estuarine producers and estimated their proportional contributions of nutritional input to seven commercially important fisheries species using Bayesian isotope mixing models. We valued the dietary input of estuarine producers to the commercial fisheries by combining dietary contribution estimates with total annual catch data from commercial fishers. A conservative estimate is that estuarine producers in the Richmond River Estuary contribute at least 82 725 kg (78%) of the total annual catch of the seven commercially important fish with an estimated annual value of $AU 450 117. Sea mullet and Mud crab contributed 95% of the total catch, and 93% of the total value assigned to estuarine producers. The two highest valued estuarine producers were tidal marsh (Juncus kraussii) $AU 82 432 and seagrass (Zostera capricorni) $AU 65 423. This study demonstrates the substantial role of estuarine producers to commercial fisheries production and the fisheries economy more broadly. With large areas of estuarine producers under threat globally from land clearing for agriculture, aquaculture and urbanisation, the results presented here provide evidence to support the value of coastal habitats and benefits of their preservation and restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Volunteering has great economic and social benefits, but it is neglected due to the nature of the work. This study aimed to assess the monetary aspect of the voluntary activities in the National Plan of Safety and Health of Nowruz Passengers and analyze the cost of the implementation of this plan, regarding youth volunteers. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 1574 volunteers outlined in the plan were analyzed with the wage replacement and replacement cost approach for the monetary evaluation of voluntary activities. Also, the cost-benefit analysis of the Red Crescent voluntary plan was calculated by the volunteer investment and value audit technique. Results: In the mentioned road safety plan, the sum of the economic values of volunteering work was multiplied by the number of working hours of youth volunteers per day. Thus, the number of young people was determined, considering the average wage per hour for these people, the monetary value of $69 885.6 was obtained for the voluntary activities. Also, the volunteer investment and value audit rate was $10.6; it means that every dollar spent by Red Crescent would cost more than $10 if it were not voluntary. Conclusion: According to the present findings, it seems that the National Plan of Safety and Health of Nowruz Passengers had been economically profitable for the Red Crescent population and the government because of its high revenue, compared with its cost.

This paper describes the methods used to produce accounts for the recreational value of Natura 2000 areas in Flanders, Belgium. First, a biophysical account of recreation supply and demand is compiled and mapped. Demand is based on data for green visits per year per inhabitant and covers both recreation and nature-based tourism. It distinguishes local walking trips, local cycling, recreation trips with pre-transport and visits by tourists. The number of green visits is based on a combination of yearly statistics (for tourism, day trips) and irregular surveys (for local visits). The supply account is based on modelling predicted visits. The annual visits per inhabitant are attributed to ecosystems using a green visit prediction model that uses the extent and condition accounts related to availability of green-blue areas, accessibility, the attractive potential of landscapes for informal recreation (extent and condition accounts), residence and distance decay functions for different recreation types. Potential destinations include a wide range of green infrastructure, such as parks, forests, natural and agricultural areas and blue spaces (waterside and coastal natural areas). The attractiveness of landscapes is mainly based on an empirical study (choice experiment) in Flanders on people's preferences for landscape features complemented by evidence from literature. The monetary accounts are preliminary, as there are unsufficient data available for Flanders to estimate the total value for the wide range of recreation types (from local walking and biking to tourism). Especially, data are missing to model travel and time costs for local visits (walking and biking), that account for a large share of total visits in Flanders. It should be noted that, for most visits, apart from nature-based tourism, valuation cannot be based on income fees or parking costs because, in Flanders, visits and parking are free. As unsufficient data are avaible to estimate travel and time costs in detail, we used Flemish data on average expenditure per visit per recreational type as a proxy. We discuss the limits of this preliminary approach and suggest further steps. In the results session, we discuss the implementation of the model to estimate the predicted visits to parts of the Natura2000 areas in Flanders in 2016 and 2018. As different land-uses are strongly interwoven in Flanders, these areas include a wide range of different land-uses and also areas close to residence used for local walking and biking. The differences between 2016 and 2018 illustrate how the model of predicted visits allows us to cope with land-use changes and improved quality and attractiveness of the landscapes in Natura2000 areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate assessment of ecosystem services is important for the development of policies and management plans related to forestry activities and the environment. Carefully identified ecosystem values can determine which options policy makers should prioritize to provide the greatest benefit. There are numerous methods used by researchers to evaluate ecosystem services. The most widely applied methods are monetary valuation methods, they are often deemed to be the most pragmatic language when it comes to communication with political and business institutions. The main goal of this review is to analyse available literature using the methodology particular to the scoping review approach in order to identify and describe valuation methods that can be applied for monetary assessment of ecosystem services. As a result of the scoping review, over 20 monetary valuation techniques (including several less common methods such as willingness to sell and Delphi method) were derived from 16 literature sources. In the process of compiling the range of different methods, a few flaws and gaps in the communication of methods were observed such as lack of consistency in the names of different methods and mixing up concepts. In addition, a few areas for future research are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The basic approaches to comprehension of economic nature and the subject content of the process of market transformation of natural ecosystem into nature-economy in the course of which there is a disturbing system of the formed geobiocenosis, human intrusion which creates artificial nature-ecosystem, which needs constant poly-resource support, are described in the paper. Scientific conceptualisation of the transition from the consumer attitude of man to nature as a natural "pantry" of production resources and free environmental benefits as gifts of nature to the understanding of the creative nature of partner interaction with nature and the commodity-market nature of ecosystem services rendered by it required an appropriate accounting and cost estimate of them as a tool to regulate this transition and manage the reproductive mode of functioning of the nature management system.

The concept of land use functions (LUFs) has been widely employed to study and manage sustainable development. However, its employment is barely based on actual land uses. Difficulties in the accessibility of data and comparability of results also hinder the wide application of contemporary LUF frameworks on sustainability analysis. To fill these gaps, this study improves the LUF framework in which the monetary value of economic, social, and environmental LUF is evaluated using land use data. This framework is then used to examine how different LUFs relate to each other in Shandong, China. Results show that, at the township level, monetary values of economic and social functions are positively correlated, but are both negatively correlated with environmental function. All three functions grew between 2009 and 2018 in Shandong. Results also suggest that a focus on quantitative trade-offs of these three LUFs is insufficient; rather, their spatial balance also requires attention.

Carbon sequestration plays an essential role in climate regulation, and its monetary value is critical for decision-making. To encourage carbon sequestration and avoid expensing the ecosystem services for future generations, a dynamic monetary valuation perspective was developed by integrating a carbon dynamics model of ecosystems and an atmospheric carbon cycle model. A case study of biomass utilization in Northern Shaanxi was conducted to illustrative the performance of this approach by comparing with the conventional approach. The carbon dynamics in the available lands were simulated by the CENTURY model under the RCP4.5 climate change scenario. The results suggested that the carbon storage was doubled without biomass utilization in the projected 25 years. When biomass was harvested, carbon storage decreased slightly. The monetary value without biomass harvesting in the dynamic approach was higher than that in the conventional approach. After analogizing the monetary values of carbon sequestration and biomass utilization, there was a lower likelihood of biomass harvesting in the dynamic approach than in the conventional approach.

To assess the value of the environmental benefits of the Sulphur Emission regulation (SECA) that came into force in 2015, changes in depositions of SOx and NOx from ship exhaust gas emissions were modelled and monetized for the Baltic Sea region for the years 2014 and 2016. During this period, the total deposition of SOx in the study area decreased by 7.3%. The decrease in ship-originated SOx deposition from 38 kt to 3.4 kt (by over 88%) was translated into a monetary value for the ecosystem impacts of nearly 130 million USD, according to the EcoValue08 model. This is less than the modelled health benefits, but it is not insignificant. For NOx, there was no decreasing trend. The exceedance of the critical loads of SOx and NOx was also estimated. The effect of Baltic shipping on the exceedance of critical loads of acidification after SECA is very small, but Baltic shipping still has a considerable effect on the exceedance of critical loads for eutrophication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the relationship between partner's mental health and individual life satisfaction, using panel data and calculating the monetary valuation of mental illness. Accounting for measurement error and endogeneity of income, partners' mental health has a significant association with individual well‐being. The additional income needed to compensate someone living with a partner with a mental condition is substantial (ranges between USD 33,000 and USD 50,000). Further, individuals do not show adaptation to partners' mental illness. The results have implications for policy‐makers wishing to value the effects of policies that aim to impact on mental health and levels of well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though ecosystem services have a significant contribution to human well-being, their value is not always recognized. Despite difficulties, the application of economic valuation methodologies to ecosystem services has grown significantly in the literature, in order to contemplate ecosystem services' values in the decision-making processes at different levels. Soil erosion and the associated loss of nutrients has been a major concern worldwide and is expected to increase. The present study proposes the biophysical and monetary quantification of avoided soil erosion, in an area ranging from Serra de Arga to the Âncora river mouth, in Northern Portugal. The biophysical and monetary values were estimated using the Universal Soil Loss Equation and an indirect market valuation method—the avoided costs of erosion. The results indicate that 1,075,236.8 tons of soil erosion is avoided each year, which, according to the model used, has a value of 5,247,155.70 €/year or, on average, of 1144.00 €/ha/year. Although these values may represent an underestimate of the real value, this paper hopes to contribute to the recognition of the value of ecosystem services to human well-being, in order to promote a more sustainable use of natural resources, the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, and a sustainable economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the findings of an evaluation of the total economic value (TEV) of marine ecosystems of a planned marine reserve in “Le Prêcheur”, North of Martinique, Caribbean. Almost 95% of the TEV, estimated at EUR 58 million annually, derives from non-use values, while about 5% are from Direct use values with a predominance of leisure values, and less than 1% percent comes from the Indirect use values despite the high biodiversity interest of the location. In that regards, estimates made in the context of this study are to be considered as orders of magnitude intended to feed the strategic dialogue for the development of the future marine reserve on one hand, and budgetary decisions of public policy guidelines on the other. It is therefore essential to adopt a collaborative approach between all actors involved on the coast. Moreover, public policies must take into account the protection of marine ecosystems and even more of their enhancement in a perspective that combines economic utilitarianism and selflessness. The marine ecosystems of Le Prêcheur have indeed emerged as elements of the identity of the coastal population of Le Prêcheur but also of Martinique as a whole and, as such, must be highlighted.

Abstract Seagrass meadows constitute important carbon sinks, and the ongoing global loss of seagrass habitats raises concerns about the release of carbon stored in their sediments. However, the actual consequences of seagrass loss for the release of carbon and nutrients remain unclear. Here, we take advantage of well‐documented historic losses of eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows along the Swedish NW coast to assess how the contents of organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in the sediment change when a meadow is lost. We find unusually high contents of C and N (on average 3.7% and 0.39% DW, respectively) in Swedish eelgrass sediments down to >100 cm depth, suggesting that these habitats constitute global hot spots for C and N storage. However, the C and N stocks were strongly influenced by wave exposure and were almost twice as high in sheltered compared to exposed eelgrass meadows. The sediment composition and stable isotope values were distinctly different in areas that have lost eelgrass meadows, with on average >2.6 times lower contents of C and N. The results indicate an erosion of >35 cm sediment following the historical eelgrass loss, and that sheltered meadows have more vulnerable sediment stocks. The results suggest that eelgrass loss has resulted in a release of 60.2 Mg C and 6.63 Mg N per hectare, with an estimated economic cost to society of 7944 and 141,355 US$/ha, respectively. The value of N storage represents one of the highest monetary values presented for an ecosystem service provided by seagrasses and shows that Swedish eelgrass meadows are particularly important for mitigating eutrophication. Following a documented loss of approximately 10 km2 of eelgrass in the study area, it is estimated that over 60,000 Mg of nitrogen was released to the coastal environment over a 20‐yr period, which constitutes over three times the annual river load of nitrogen to the Swedish NW coast. The study exemplifies the significant role of seagrass sediments as sinks for both carbon and nutrients, and that the risk of nutrient release following vegetation loss should be taken into account in the spatial management of seagrass and other coastal habitats.