Alternatives for Environmental Valuation

How can we value the environment? This is the crucial issue that this book debates. The critical analyses carried out within the book by such figures as Nick Hanley and Jonathan Aldred are vital to ensuring that future economic growth is not achieved at the expense of our environment.

Environmental cost-benefit analysis was developed by economists in the belief that monetary valuation of the environmental repercussions of economic activity is essential if the "environment " stands any chance of being included in government and business decisions. This volume examines the limitations of this monetary approach, and considers the alternatives. Three broad angles from which to view environmental values are presented: applying social psychology concepts which challenge standard approaches; introducing multidimensional and non-monetary techniques; and examining vested interest group and citizen participation in processes of environmental valuation. Combinations of these approaches are also covered. The contributions presented are a valuable resource for both environmental and ecological economists. This authoritative book will also prove useful for those with a general interest in the environment, including policy-makers and non-governmental organizations.

1. Exploring Alternatives for Environmental Valuation Part 1: Extending the Environmental Valuation Approach 2. A Framework for Valuing Nature: Regional Biodiversity 3. Non-Use Values and Attitudes: Wetlands Threatened by Climate Change 4. Modelling Environmental Behaviour: Socio-Psychological Simulation Part 2:Taking Multiple Criteria into Account 5. Assessing the Quality of Different MCDA Methods 6. MCDA and Stakeholder Participation: Valuing Forest Resources 7. Confronting Risk with Precaution:A Multi-Criteria Mapping of Genetically Modified Crops Part 3: Deliberation, Participation and Value Expression 8. Consumer Valuation and Citizen Deliberation: Towards a Comparison 9. Three Approaches to Valuing Nature: Forest Floodplain Restoration 10. Deliberation and Economic Valuation: National Park Management 11. The Challenges of Stakeholder Participation: Agri-Environmental Policy 12. Preference Transformation through Deliberation: Protecting World Heritage