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Accounting for natural capital has cross-cutting relevance for UK public sector decision-making

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  • Maes, Mikaël J.A.
  • Jones, Kate E.
  • Toledano, Mireille B.
  • Milligan, Ben

Abstract

Countries have made a range of international commitments to compile and use natural capital accounts. While processes and methods for compiling natural capital accounts are now well defined, mainstreaming natural capital accounting (NCA) across public sector decision-making remains a practical challenge. This raises the question: which domains of public sector decision-making are important for a phased introduction of NCA? Here, we address a subset of this evidence gap through systematic analysis of the policy-relevance of natural capital accounts in the United Kingdom (UK). We identify 85 UK public sector bodies whose activities can affect the extent or condition of natural capital assets, and 60 bodies whose policy objectives are qualitatively contingent on natural capital stocks or services. For each of these 60 public sector bodies natural capital management (1) is a core policy priority, (2) impacts on policy objectives by regulating natural hazards, or (3) provides ecosystem goods and services that support policy objectives concerning health and well-being. Our findings highlight the considerable cross-cutting relevance of natural capital for public sector decision-making, and the need to account for natural capital in policy domains beyond those focused narrowly on environmental policy and management, e.g. through coordination structures that feature cross-departmental representation.

Suggested Citation

  • Maes, Mikaël J.A. & Jones, Kate E. & Toledano, Mireille B. & Milligan, Ben, 2020. "Accounting for natural capital has cross-cutting relevance for UK public sector decision-making," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 44(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoser:v:44:y:2020:i:c:s2212041620300693
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2020.101127
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vardon, Michael & Burnett, Peter & Dovers, Stephen, 2016. "The accounting push and the policy pull: balancing environment and economic decisions," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 145-152.
    2. Ratchaphong Klinsrisuk & Vilas Nitivattananon & Winai Wongsurawat, 2013. "Effective coordination and integration of energy and transport policies for CO 2 mitigation in Thailand," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 15(5), pages 1227-1244, October.
    3. Milligan, Ben, 2014. "Planning for offshore CO2 storage: Law and policy in the United Kingdom," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 162-171.
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    4. Nguyen, Thi Hao & Deng, Hongbing & Abbas, Zainab Zahra & Lam, Thi Thoa & Abbas, Hussain Raza, 2024. "The effect of natural capital, regional development, FDI, and natural resource rent on environmental performance: The Mediating role of green innovation," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).

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