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Towards a sustainable and genuinely green economy. The value and social significance of ecosystem services in Finland (TEEB for Finland). Synthesis and roadmap.

This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

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Preprint: policy unknown
Question mark in circle
Postprint: policy unknown
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Published version: policy unknown

Abstract

This report presents the results from the research project National Assessment of the Economics of Ecosystem Services in Finland (TEEB Finland). This pioneering project aimed to initiate a systematic national process for the integration of ecosystem services and related biodiversity (i.e. natural capital) into all levels of decision-making. TEEB for Finland was executed according to the models of previous international TEEB studies (e.g. TEEB Nordic) and alongside with EU’s MAES project (Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services). The TEEB for Finland provides preliminary estimates on the economic importance of some key ecosystem services. The main focus has been on those so far under-recognized regulating and cultural services, but not forgetting traditional provisioning services, the value of which has been traditionally recognized due to their vital importance for the Finnish economy and society. The trends regarding multiple provisioning services, such as harvests and other types of utilized yields, have been relatively stable over the last two decades. As the economy has simultaneously grown in other areas, the relative significance of primary production has decreased. At the same time, the relative importance of cultural ecosystem services used is increasing. Knowledge on many regulating services, e.g. on ecosystem processes, is still poor, but encouragingly, many such processes are now under investigation. Also cultural ecosystem services are currently receiving more attention. Recently, the Finnish government has reviewed the policies for the government’s natural resources report Intelligent and Responsible Natural Resources Economy, to the Finnish Parliament. The vision and objective of this new policy frame is to enhance cross-sectoral policies in a way that improves the possibilities of Finland becoming a path setter for sustainable natural resources economy in 2050. The assessment of ecosystem services and related biodiversity is an integral part of needed activities in this renewed policy frame, and the results of TEEB for Finland are in harmony and supportive with this policy.