The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) - synthesis report

The economic importance of the natural assets of the world is now firmly on the political radar as a result of an international assessment showcasing the enormous economic value of forests, freshwater, soils and coral reefs, as well as the social and economic costs of their loss, was the conclusion of The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) report launched (20 October 2010) by TEEB study leader, Pavan Sukhdev, at the 10th Conference of Parties meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP10) in Nagoya.

TEEB has documented not only the multi-trillion dollar importance to the global economy of the natural world, but also the kinds of policy-shifts and smart market mechanisms that can embed fresh thinking in a world beset by a rising raft of multiple challenges. The good news is that many communities and countries are already seeing the potential of incorporating the value of nature into decision-making, said Mr. Sukhdev, a banker who heads up the Green Economy Initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). He was speaking at the launch of the two-year study, which has involved hundreds of experts from around the world, at the CBD COP10.

The TEEB study calls for wider recognition of the contribution by nature to human livelihoods, health, security, and culture by decision-makers at all levels (local to national and business to citizens). It promotes the demonstration, and where appropriate, the capture of the economic values of nature services through an array of policy instruments and mechanisms.

THE REPORT (View full document PDF, 4.01 MB)