Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA): Lessons from Influential Cases

Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems. The concept of ecosystem services has received significant attention since the appearance of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. A growing body of knowledge is developing on ecosystem services and on the valuation of these services. Yet, cases where valuation of ecosystem services has actually made a difference in real-life policies or plans still remain scarce, or in any case hidden.

SEA provides a platform to carry out valuation of ecosystem services in a societal context and facilitate financial, social and environmental sustainability.