Valuing Nature as a Driver for Restoration

Solutions discussed:

Conduct social science research to analyse how humans value nature, to ensure evidence-based decisions for biodiversity and conservation efforts

Research may be in the areas of psychological theory, human geography, sociology or anthropology, studying the long-term drivers of behaviour, particularly the range of human values. This will inform policymakers' decisions on the appropriate policy enactments that can protect and restore nature.

Presented by: Carena J. van Riper, Assistant Professor, University of Illinois

How we Value Nature as a Driver for Restoration

Consider multiple and diverse human values when making policy decisions on ecosystem restoration

This is important because it encourages inclusivity and legitimacy, addresses and avoids conflicts, identifies and forms shared values, assesses policy impacts and justifies policies, ensures policy alignment with sustainability values like health, community, wellbeing, and assesses prosperity and progress.

Presented by: Dr Jasper Kenter, Director, Ecologos Research

Understanding and managing social-ecological systems

Bridge and integrate values into policy decisions through social deliberation

Social deliberation can collate and compare values without assuming they are commensurable, provide a means for finding shared values for environmental management/policy based on multiple underlying values for environmental goods, and serve as an effective means for bridging science and policy.

Presented by: Dr Jasper Kenter, Director, Ecologos Research

Engaging community in policy development

Broaden set of values in relation to nature, bringing together different terms and concepts from different disciplines and philosophical approaches

The language used to talk about different values of nature matters - need to transcend differences in language to bring together different types of value and develop a more holistic and meaningful valuation of nature.

Presented by: Carena J. van Riper, Assistant Professor, University of Illinois

Theoretical traditions in social values for sustainability