News

Paper published in Ecosystem Services
March 2024
An earlier project to update the Ecosystem Service Valuation Database has led to a publication. It is available online here.

The paper presents a global synthesis of economic values for ecosystem services using information from over 1,300 studies and yielding over 9,400 (monetary) value estimates. This is a substantial expansion of data since the first development of the ESVD in 2012. In this paper we provide summary values for 23 ecosystem services provided by 15 terrestrial and marine biomes to represent the magnitude, variation and gaps in economic values. To enable the comparison and synthesis of values, estimates in the ESVD are standardised to a common set of units to provide a basis for value transfers to inform decision-making in policy contexts.

Paper published in Ecological Economics
February 2024
This paper, co-authored with Dr Luke Brander, is a publication of a project driven by WWF Australia on the WTP for the conservation of marine turtles in the Asia-Pacific region. You can find the paper online here.

The survey was conducted with 7,765 respondents in China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Fiji, and internationally. We find that a high proportion of households (82%) expressed a positive WTP for turtle conservation, and that the donation amounts are substantial. A scenario analysis is used to estimate the economic welfare changes that would result from policy inaction (in which turtle populations continue to decline and two species become extinct) versus strong policy action (resulting in increasing turtle populations and no extinctions).

Community assessment for Emirates Global Aluminium
May 2022
Collaborating with Earth Matters Consulting and AMET Research and Analytics in Dubai, I am leading a community assessment for the two main aluminium smelters operated by Emirates Global Aluminium  (EGA) in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

I will be developing a questionnaire for affected residential communities that will be based on the Performance Standard developed by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). The data from this questionnaire will lead to a roadmap plan for a Community Involvement Plan (CIP) for EGA.

In addition, we will construct a map of stakeholders in policy and regulation, real estate development, healthcare, and from religious, educational, and recreational organisations.

Conservation value of wetlands in LAO PDR
December 2021
Together with Dr Luke Brander, I am conducting a choice experiment to estimate willingness-to-pay (WTP) for wetland ecosystem services in Lao PDR for UNEP.

In this project, we will derive the value of wetlands by identifying WTP for ecosystem services such as fish catch, flood reduction, and recreation.

Report published on the value of Marine Ecosystem Services in the Cook Islands
June 2021
This study from November 2020 estimates the economic value of the Cook Islands’ marine and coastal resources. The resources described and assessed in detail include subsistence and commercial fishing; trochus; pearls; sand and coral aggregate; seabed minerals; coastal protection; tourism; recreation; and existence values related to marine biodiversity.

The report has been finalized and can be accessed here.

Public perceptions of improvements to Sai Kung park
April 2021 (updated December 2021)
Together with Dr Luke Brander in Hong Kong, I am conducting a choice experiment to understand public perceptions of park infrastructure and services in Sai Kung park in Hong Kong for the region’s  Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

In this project, we aim to identify elements of infrastructure and park services that drive people’s enjoyment of Sai Kung park. We shall be identifying and relating the outcomes of the choice experiment with information about park usage and travel costs.

Paper published in Ecology & Society
January 2021
This paper is the culmination of a collaboration between Landcare Research and New Zealand’s BioHeritage National Science Challenge. The paper is available online here.

In this paper, we analyse how the New Zealand public would respond to aspects of novel genetic and chemical technologies to control the invasive pest mammals that are decimating the indigenous wildlife. The results indicate, for instance, that genetic pest control technology is preferred over chemical technology – provided it involves only small numbers of modified organisms.

We then link these preferences to a variety of socioeconomic indicators. Higher education, greater trust in the scientific process, and liberal political leaning correlate with a preference for genetic over chemical pest control technology.

A valuation project
November 2020
In collaboration with Dr Luke Brander in Hong Kong, I am conducting the Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) analysis for another choice experiment for UNDP.

In this project, we identify WTP for coral reef conservation in the Cook Islands.

Two valuation projects
September 2020
In collaboration with Dr Luke Brander in Hong Kong, I am conducting the Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) analysis for two choice experiments.

The first project, driven by WWF Australia, aims to determine WTP for the conservation of marine turtles in the Asia-Pacific region. The survey was conducted with respondents in China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Fiji, and internationally, with large response set from each country.

The second project is for UNDP. In this project, WTP is identified for the conservation of the three National Parks in Malaysia. A survey was conducted for each National Park among local communities, the general public, and tourists.

Working Paper for 30×30 Initiative presented
July 2020
The Campaign for Nature recently unveiled its Working Paper on the costs and benefits of protecting 30% of the planet by 2030 (’30×30 Initiative’). The press release is here and the full Working Paper can be downloaded from the University of Cambridge by clicking here. I prepared the spatial data for the valuation analysis for Marine Protected Areas and mangroves.

This study shows that additional protection for global terrestrial and marine ecosystems would lead to an average annual increase of $250 billion in economic output and $350 billion in improved ecosystem services compared with the status quo. The world currently invests just over $24 billion per year to protect the environment, whereas $140 billion will need to be invested in conservation by 2030.

Paper accepted in Mine Water and the Environment
July 2020
This paper, a collaboration under the umbrella of the Centre for Minerals Environment Research NZ (CMER) with colleagues from Verum Group, Landcare Research, and Mine Waste Management is in press. The paper is available online here.

In this paper, we compare the cost-effectiveness of mussel shell reactors and active (lime) treatment systems for acid mine drainage in mine sites in New Zealand. Our comparison improves on previous studies by simultaneously considering long time periods, comprehensive cost models, and uncertainty about hydro-chemical conditions. Our results indicate that such comprehensive analysis provides substantially more insight into cost structures over time and that mussel shell reactors can be financially viable under a wider range of conditions than is commonly assumed.

Paper accepted in Marine Policy
March 2020
A paper, for which I prepared spatial data for the valuation analysis, on the costs and benefits of global policy options for Marine Protected Areas has been accepted for publication. Click here for “The global costs and benefits of expanding Marine Protected Areas”.

Project for the Asian Development Bank
February 2020
Starting work on a strategic assessment, with a focus on socio-economic analysis, of urban development investments in Pakistan with Saaf Consult BV from The Hague.

Project for ENGIE
December 2019
Together with Earth Matters Consulting in Dubai, I conducted an exploratory GIS analysis for integrating Blue Carbon into ENGIE’s regional strategy.

Project for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
November 2019
Working with Dr Luke Brander in Hong Kong and the Foundation for Sustainable Development in Wageningen, I am contributing to an update of the Ecosystem Service Valuation Database.

Project for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
February 2019
Working with dev~consult in Islamabad and Saaf Consult BV in the Hague, I am conducting the economic evaluation of projects implemented in Pakistan by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation under the Water Governance Domain.

Paper accepted in Ecological Economics
December 2018
In collaboration with Steve Tucker and Nick Hanley, I present an experimental study on the effect of providing information as words and images in multi-dimensional choices. Click here for “How best to present complex ecosystem information in stated preference studies?”.

Project for Emirates Nature-WWF
December 2018
Together with Earth Matters Consulting in Dubai, I am helping this organization with insights on how to engage with the private sector to transform business practices for better marine environmental outcomes.

Project for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
October 2018
Working with the National Water Center in Al Ain, I am supporting the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment in developing a research strategy for assessing the socio-economic impacts of climate change policies.

Joined the Natural Capital Coalition
I have been accepted by the Natural Capital Coalition into its pool of Trainers and Technical Advisors. With this, a boutique consultancy is available to companies in the MENA region looking to understand their contribution and exposure to environmental damage and risks.