Ecosystem Services Markets

Ecosystem markets represent a new way of understanding the value of our country’s rich natural capital, particularly their value to our economy. Such markets would reflect the true worth of these assets to our economy and quality of life and encourage greater attention to their preservation. While there is a growing international awareness of ecosystem markets, this concept has not yet fully informed Canadian policy or innovation. Sustainable Prosperity disseminates this body of knowledge and develops specific policy applications for Canada.

SP’s top policy research priorities in this area include:

Pricing Ecological Goods and Services: analyse the state of knowledge and policy experience on the valuation of ecological goods and services, in order to identify and address key issues and options, and promote the design and effective implementation of new market tools in key ecosystems of Canada.
Instruments for Water Quality and Quantity Conservation: analyse the state of knowledge and policy experience with new water pricing instruments for water quantity conservation and water quality, with a focus on innovation, new technologies, means of implementation, and other emerging issues.
Biodiversity Incentives: analyse the state of knowledge and policy experience with incentives and perverse subsidies for biodiversity conservation and use, focusing on habitat conservation and land use management.

Ecosystem Services Markets Research Policy Co-Chairs:

W.L. (Vic) Adamowicz, University of Alberta
David Boyd, University of Victoria

SP Publications