Author Description

Taking inspiration from ideas developed in the millennium ecosystem assessment, the economics of ecosystems and biodiversity (TEEB) aims to promote a better understanding of the true economic value of ecosystem services and to offer economic tools that take proper account of this value. The results of this work will contribute to more effective policies for biodiversity protection and for achieving the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity. TEEB is in two phases and this interim report summarises the results of Phase I. It demonstrates the huge significance of ecosystems and biodiversity and the threats to human welfare if no action is taken to reverse current damage and losses. Phase II will expand on this and show how to use this knowledge to design the right tools and policies.