Session 2: 11.30 – 13.00
Capitalising on the Environment - Valuing and Monetising
Chair: Paul Caskie, Head of Economics Research, AFBI
AFBI Speaker: Dr Diane Burgess, Principal Research Economist.
'Capturing the value of natural capital'
The ‘natural capital approach’ recognises the value of the environment in decision-making at both the private and public level. This presentation reflects on how this approach can be operationalised. It draws on research to demonstrate how economic values can be derived for natural capital and how these can be used to inform decisions on public funding and private investment.
Invited Speaker: Dr Bruce Howard, Director Ecosystems Knowledge Network with Ms Helen Avery, Green Finance Institute.
'Natural capital in the farmed environment: are we on the money?'
In this interactive session, involving a conversation with Helen Avery, (Head of Nature Programmes, at the Green Finance Institute), Bruce Howard will take stock of progress in this arena and help participants explore emergent green finance opportunities for land managers in Northern Ireland and beyond.
The natural capital concept encourages us to view land, water and nature through an economic lens. Natural capital assessments, including formal accounts, are now being produced to guide the planning of farmed land. Can these formal assessments be used to unlock new sources of revenue, possibly combining private and public funds to deliver outcomes such as carbon sequestration and flood risk reduction?
The session will conclude with perspectives from a panel of stakeholders and the audience on nature-based finance opportunities for agriculture in Northern Ireland.