this post was submitted on 24 Apr 2025
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Nature accounting in Colombia makes sound economic case for protecting native ecosystems (naturalcapitalproject.stanford.edu)
submitted 18 hours ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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In brief:

  • A new “natural capital account” for Colombia’s Upper Sinú Basin calculates the economic value of its natural ecosystems’ erosion control services to the energy and water sectors at $100 million (1.7% of the region’s GDP). An aqueduct under consideration to support increased coastal tourism would increase the value by 12%.
  • This is one of the first times outside Europe such an account has been created with locally validated models and data following the UN System of Environmental-Economic Accounting – Ecosystem Accounting framework.
  • This paper’s methodology offers a practical way to develop and apply such accounts regionally, laying the groundwork for compensation programs that protect nature and support livelihoods.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 13 hours ago

Thank you so much for sharing this! I’ve been very interested in the idea of ecosystem or natural resource accounting, but was having a hard time finding many existing examples (also didn’t know the right terms to search for). The article and some of the other projects mentioned are very helpful, especially the UN System of Environmental Economic Accounting they linked here: https://seea.un.org/ecosystem-accounting, which I wasn’t aware of. Much appreciated!