Measuring the value of nature and incorporating nature’s values into financial incentives - video

This event explored established methods for valuing ecosystem services and natural capital, including approaches such as Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) and inclusive wealth. The event examined how these values can inform economic and financial decision‑making through public policy and business action, drawing on the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment, international policy examples, and economic modelling.

Following his initial talk Professor Stephen Polasky was joined by other speakers for a conversation exploring different perspectives on valuing nature and integrating this value into incentives and decision-making.

Speakers

Nicola Ranger, Professor in Practice at LSE (Host)  
Stephen Polasky, Professor at University of Minnesota  
Emily McKenzie, Technical Director at TNFD   
Sharon Brooks, Head of Nature Economy at UNEP-WCMC 

Speaker

Professor Polasky is a Regents and Fesler‑Lampert Professor of Ecological/Environmental Economics at the University of Minnesota and a co‑founder and Principal Investigator at NatCap TEEMs. His research explores the intersection of ecology and economics, with a focus on land use, ecosystem services, and natural capital. He is a co‑founder of the Natural Capital Alliance and co‑chair of the IPBES Biodiversity and Business Assessment, having also served as a coordinating lead author for the IPBES Global Assessment.

Chair

The conversation was hosted by Professor Nicola Ranger, Executive Director of Earth Capital Nexus and Professor in Practice of Natural Capital, Risk and Finance in the Grantham Research Institute. She leads interdisciplinary research and policy engagement at the nexus of finance, investment, natural capital, resilience and sustainable development with a global focus.

The event takes place just after the IPBES-12 Business and Biodiversity Plenary in Manchester and is part of a series co-convened between Earth Capital Nexus at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford, as part of the nature theme of Global School of Sustainability at LSE.