Accounting for the ecosystem services generated by Nature-based Solutions to measure urban resilience. A methodological proposal

Journal title ECONOMICS AND POLICY OF ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Author/s Alessandra La Notte
Publishing Year 2019 Issue 2018/2
Language English Pages 19 P. 43-61 File size 465 KB
DOI 10.3280/EFE2018-002003
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An ecosystem services-based approach can constitute the analytical basis to develop a multipurpose framework able to identify and assess the multi-benefits generated by nature-based solutions (NBS). An ecosystem services analytical framework goes beyond individual sustainability- related issues and beyond the traditional mono-sectoral view, such as: water and waste management, urban regeneration, transport, energy efficiency in buildings, resilience and climate change in a separate way. All these issues have in fact ecosystem services as a common denominator, but it is not currently possible to synoptically consider the results across different sectoral themes. This paper shows how an ecosystem services framework can link all these sectoral issues and how an accounting frame for ecosystem services can be built. First an ecosystem services classification specifically for the NBS at the local scale for the urban contexts is tailored. Second, an attempt is made to build ecosystem services accounts within the official accounting frames currently developed. Finally, an illustrative example is presented to show how the whole accounting frame work to assess resilience, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and risk management based on the presence (absence) of NBS.

Keywords: Ecosystem services, nature based solutions, ecosystem accounting, urban resilience.

Jel codes: Q56, Q57

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  • Lessons learned from development of natural capital accounts in the United States and European Union Kenneth J. Bagstad, Jane Carter Ingram, Carl D. Shapiro, Alessandra La Notte, Joachim Maes, Sara Vallecillo, C. Frank Casey, Pierre D. Glynn, Mehdi P. Heris, Justin A. Johnson, Chris Lauer, John Matuszak, Kirsten L.L. Oleson, Stephen M. Posner, Charles Rhodes, Brian Voigt, in Ecosystem Services 101359/2021 pp.101359
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2021.101359

Alessandra La Notte, Accounting for the ecosystem services generated by Nature-based Solutions to measure urban resilience. A methodological proposal in "ECONOMICS AND POLICY OF ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT" 2/2018, pp 43-61, DOI: 10.3280/EFE2018-002003