International Life Cycle Assessment and Management 2007
Portland, Oregon - October 2 to 4
'from measurement to investment'
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Measurement, valuation and pricing of ecosystem services for integrated markets such as intergenerational finance Special Session Coordinator: Langdon Marsh, National Policy Consensus Center, Portland State University Existing markets rarely take into account the consequences of economic activity on the ability of natural systems to continue to provide needed ecological services, such as climate regulation, purification of air and water, mitigation of floods and droughts, detoxification and decomposition of wastes, generation and renewal of soil and soil fertility detoxification and decomposition of wastes and maintenance of biodiversity. How can life cycle assessment and the measurement and valuation of ecosystem services be integrated into decisions about investment and purchases of goods and services so that the earth restores and retains its ability to provide services upon which human health, prosperity and community and individual happiness depend? The panel will discuss how the fields of measurement and valuation of ecosystem services and life cycle assessment might be used in transformative economic systems like intergenerational finance to produce long term sustainable outcomes for humans and the environment. Topics to be addressed by the panel will include: definition of, benefits from and measurement and valuation of ecosystem services, the relationship of valuation of ecosystem services to life cycle assessment, the extent to which life cycle assessment adequately takes into account long term impacts or enhancements of ecosystem services, payment for ecosystem services and integration of ecosystem services into transformative economic systems like intergenerational finance. The panel will discuss one or more case studies which use the payment for ecosystem services to create value in protecting or restoring ecosystems and providing benefits to humans. Participants |
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