Natural benefits – on the values of ecosystem services
NOU 2013-10
Geographical coverage
| Geographical scale of the assessment | National |
|---|---|
| Country or countries covered | Norway |
| Any other necessary information or explanation for identifying the location of the assessment, including site or region name |
This is the national follow up of TEEB and MA. The report is a fully update on the knowledge on the state of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Norway. It discribes different methods for economic and non-economic valuation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Gaps in knowledge are described. |
Geographical scale of the assessment
National
Country or countries covered
Norway
Any other necessary information or explanation for identifying the location of the assessment, including site or region name
This is the national follow up of TEEB and MA. The report is a fully update on the knowledge on the state of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Norway. It discribes different methods for economic and non-economic valuation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Gaps in knowledge are described.
Conceptual framework, methodology and scope
Assessment objectives
The conceptual framework is based on CICES, MA, TEEB, and UN-statistical experimental handbook on ecosystem accounting. These frameworks are slightly revised to be relevant to the Norwegian society
Mandate for the assessment
In October 2011, the Norwegian Government appointed an expert Commission to assess and study the value of ecosystem services. The Commission was asked, among other things, to describe the consequences for society of the degradation of ecosystem services, to identify how relevant knowledge can best be communicated to decision-makers, and to make recommendations about how greater consideration can be given to ecosystem services in private and public decision-making. Stein Lier Hansen chaired the Commission. On 29 August 2013, the Commission submitted its recommendations to the Minister of the Environment in the form of a Norwegian Official Report entitled NOU 2013: 10 Natural benefits – on the values of ecosystem services (Naturens goder – om verdier av økosystemtjenester).
Conceptual framework and/or methodology used for the assessment
Other (please specify)
Further development of TEEB and MA
URL or copy of conceptual framework developed or adapted
http://www.regjeringen.no/pages/38495570/PDFS/NOU201320130010000EN_PDFS.pdf http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/md/Selected-topics/biodiversity/norwegian-expert-commission-on-values-of.html?id=671257 http://www.regjeringen.no/nn/dep/md/Tema/naturmangfold/ekspertutvalget-om-verdier-av-okosystemt.html?id=671257
System(s) assessed
- Marine
- Coastal
- Inland water
- Forest and woodland
- Cultivated/Agricultural land
- Grassland
- Mountain
- Polar
- Urban
Species groups assessed
Ecosystem services/functions assessed
Provisioning
- Food
- Water
- Timber/fibres
- Genetic resources
- Medicinal resources
- Ornamental resources
- Energy/fuel
Regulating
- Air quality
- Climate regulation
- Moderation of extreme events
- Regulation of water flows
- Regulation of water quality
- Waste treatment
- Erosion prevention
- Pollination
- Pest and disease control
Supporting Services/Functions
- Habitat maintenance
- Nutrient cycling
- Soil formation and fertility
- Primary production
- Biodiversity
Cultural Services
- Recreation and tourism
Scope of assessment includes
Drivers of change in systems and services
Yes
Impacts of change in services on human well-being
No
Options for responding/interventions to the trends observed
Yes
Explicit consideration of the role of biodiversity in the systems and services covered by the assessment
Yes
Timing of the assessment
Year assessment started
2011
Year assessment finished
2013
If ongoing, year assessment is anticipated to finish
Periodicity of assessment
One off
Assessment outputs
Website(s)
The main report is in Norwegian, only a comprahensive summary is translated to english
Report(s)
Communication materials (e.g. brochure, presentations, posters, audio-visual media)
Journal publications
Training materials
Other documents/outputs
Tools and processes
Tools and approaches used in the assessment
- Indicators
- Economic valuation
- Social (non-monetary) valuation
Process used for stakeholder engagement in the assessment process and which component
One open meeting where relevant stakeholders were invited to give their view
Key stakeholder groups engaged
The number of people directly involved in the assessment process
10-100
Incorporation of scientific and other types of knowledge
- Scientific information only
- Resource experts (e.g. foresters etc)
Supporting documentation for specific approaches, methodology or criteria developed and/or used to integrate knowledge systems into the assessment
Assessment reports peer reviewed
No
Data
Accessibility of data used in assessment
Policy impact
Impacts the assessment has had on policy and/or decision making, as evidenced through policy references and actions
The report suggest several management and policy options. The Government decides what will actually be followed up in policy and management.
Independent or other review on policy impact of the assessment
No
Lessons learnt for future assessments from these reviews
Capacity building
Capacity building needs identified during the assessment
Actions taken by the assessment to build capacity
How have gaps in capacity been communicated to the different stakeholders
Knowledge generation
Gaps in knowledge identified from the assessment
How gaps in knowledge have been communicated to the different stakeholders
Additional relevant information
The main report is written in Norwegian, but there is a english version with main recommondations
