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The Economic benefits of the Natura 2000 network |
The EU’s economic prosperity and well-being is underpinned by its natural capital, which includes natural ecosystems that provide essential goods and services. According to this study, the benefits that flow from Natura 2000 are of the order of €200 to 300 billion/year. It is estimated that there are between 1.2 to 2.2 billion visitor days to Natura 2000 sites each year, generating recreational benefits worth between €5 and €9 billion per annum. Therefore, investing in Natura 2000 makes sense and is directly relevant to Europe 2020 objectives of growth and employment as it can be a motor for the local and regional economy.
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Table of contents:
Part A: Aims and approach
I) Introduction: The Natura 2000 network and its benefits
II) Methodology for assessing EU wide benefi ts of Natura 2000
III) The total Value of the Natura 2000 network – a fi rst assessment
Part B: Deriving an aggregate total value of services from natura 2000
IV) Overview of Ecosystem Services
Part C: The value of diff erent Ecosystem services from Natura 2000
V) Natura 2000’s fundamental role in climate mitigation – The Carbon storage and sequestration benefi ts of Natura 2000
VI) Natura 2000 as a tool for security: Natural hazards benefits and climate adaptation
VII) Natura 2000 as a motor of the economy/oil of society – The tourism and recreation benefits
VIII) Natura 2000 and ‘free’ resources for/value for money in the economy and society: Water purifi cation and supply benefits (and waste)
IX) Natura 2000 and food: Marine protected areas and fish, and terrestrial protected areas, pollination and agriculture
X) Natural 2000 and our health, identity and learning
Part D: Realising the Benefits of Natura 2000
XI) Realising the Benefits: restoration and conservation for biodiversity and co-benefits.
Part E: Summary of results and outlook
XII) Summary of results
XIII) Outlook: improving the knowledge base for the economic valuation of ecosystem services delivered by Natura 2000
References
Annex I: Glossary of terms 66
Annex II: Overview of existing valuation site-based studies 68
Anex III: Examples of ecosystem services 71
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