National Ecosystem Assessment update

How does our natural environment support us? That’s the question we’re trying to answer through the UK National Ecosystem Assessment, which reported on progress at an event today(22nd February).

The UK is the first country in the world to undertake an assessment like this at a national level. The initial outputs detail how over 200 of the country’s top scientists, economists, and social scientists are now collaborating to assess how individual habitats and biodiversity work together as systems to create real, valuable benefits for society and the economy.

The Assessment is part of a wider effort to help policy and decision makers to put the natural environment at the heart of what they do. From today, new resources and guidance are available on the Defra website, helping people to recognise the value of the natural environment in their work and decisions.

Attending an event to mark progress on the Assessment today, Secretary of State Hilary Benn emphasised the importance of being able to value the natural environment. He said:

"Producing robust good strong science is perhaps the single most important thing we can do to shape our environmental, economic and social future and to reach the greener society we all want to achieve.

"The National Ecosystem Assessment is building that evidence and making the link between the value of our natural assets and the growth of our economy.

"With this work and the improved guidance for all Government Departments, we hope this will be are a clear and visible example of what we need to do want everyone to achieve nationally and internationally."

26 February 2010