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Do We Value What We Are Conserving?

Posted on October 30, 2014

Have we ever wondered if the value of protecting the habitat of a Philippine eagle or a cloud rat commands a higher price than mining it for gold or other minerals?

Can we at all attach a peso value to clean water or clean air that will be sacrificed if logging and mining continue in important biodiversity areas?

Those are crucial questions because many of the benefits derived from biodiversity are not yet valued and accounted for in monetary terms.

“It is possible but very challenging to do biodiversity resource valuation,” according to Dr. Marian Delos Angeles, an expert in environmental economics and the lead discussant-facilitator during the FPE-initiated roundtable discussion last October 24, 2014 in Quezon City.

Environmental economics expert, Dr. Marian de los Angeles, presenting the valuation and economic instruments.

Delos Angeles pointed to the challenge of bringing together biodiversity experts or ecologists to provide the typology of ecosystems and estimates of biodiversity values.

“While there are more than 100 valuation studies conducted for various sites, throughout the last 30 years, how these studies where used or applied for decision-making remain largely undocumented,” she said.

“Resource valuation and its role in biodiversity conservation is something that the Foundation of the Philippine Environment would like to better understand,” according to FPE Chair and CEO Rose Liza Osorio in setting the context of the resource valuation discussion.

“FPE is seriously interested to know how existing resource valuation studies can have greater application in decision-making, how those working in conservation can have scientific estimates on the impacts of extractive activities on biodiversity, and how these tools can be simplified and laymanized for local planners and communities,” Osorio explained.

Guiding the discussion, Delos Angeles asked what have been done by producer or user of environmental resource valuation; and the strengths and weaknesses, threats and opportunities of using resource valuation in the field of nature conservation.

Dr. Gem Castillo and Dr. Tonie Balangue of the Resources, Environment and Economics Center for Studies, Inc. (REECS), and Dr. Canesio Predo of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources University of the Philippines Los Baños (CFNR-UPLB) represented the resource valuation producer side.

Castillo explained, “to be able to pursue resource valuation, those demanding valuation and those who will be using the results in the local area planning must be involved at the onset of the study.” He stressed, there must be a demand to generate valuation for specific services, and the purpose and target to use the results must be clear because these are essential considerations for the utility of resource valuation studies.

Group photo during the FPE Round Table Discussion on Resource Valuation

Discussants from the resource valuation user side were represented by Mr. Enrico Nuñez (Conservation International-Philippines), Atty. Angela Ibay (WWF-Philippines), Atty. Marlon Manuel (Alternative Law Group), Atty. Ron Gutierrez (Upholding Life and Nature), and trustees of the FPE. They cited the following as among the uses of resource valuation in conservation work:

• Scientific anchor in decision making whether to strictly conserve or allow mining in a protected area.

• Reference in setting an endowment fund using the Payment for Ecological Services scheme.

• Basis for finding ways and means to reduce carbon footprint.

• A rallying point for advocacy influencing the path by which local governments decide on their recourse, e.g., whether to sustain fisheries and protected areas or favor extractive development activities.

• Create a value chain on how natural resource products are passed on to the market.

• Basis for creating factual counter argument on the economic perspective on mining; in litigation, it is important to present tangible and not abstract value or computation in relation to conservation.

• Aid in computing environmental damages.

A starting point to doing valuation in areas supported by FPE, according to Balangue, is to know the biodiversity profile and composition of these areas.  “A customized community-based valuation training for those who will use the study maybe designed too under the guidance of experts,” he added.

Predo advised to explore tie up with groups like the Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA), doing resource valuation training for LGUs.

Also, a research agenda on resource valuation maybe pursued in partnership with universities according to Nuñez. “There is a need to take a second look at the work that we do to see if we create meaningful impact; to move beyond anecdotal evidence; and address the challenge in capacity building,” he stressed. 

Angeles wrapped up the discussion saying, “The goods produced or provided by ecosystems such as food, fiber, genetic resources, biochemical, freshwater, recreation and ecotourism are still largely undervalued." This points to opportunities for collaboration in biodiversity resource valuation waiting to be explored. 

Download a copy of Dr. Marian Delos Angeles' presentation here.

Cover photo: Tridacna gigas in Tawi-Tawi, lifted from a presentation of Dr. Mon Romero.