How Much Are Ecosystems Worth?

A Swedish research center has been tasked by the government with valuating the services rendered by ecosystems and educating the public on the importance of biodiversity.

1 minute read

February 28, 2013, 6:00 AM PST

By boramici


Backed by Ministry of the Environment, a commission led by Maria Schultz from the Resilience and Development Programme (SwedBio) at the Stockholm Resilience Centre has been tasked with making "ecosystem services" known to all levels of civic society in Sweden by 2018, reports Sturle Hauge Simonsen.

The concept of services rendered by ecosystems is central to the Centre's research, which focuses on preserving biodiversity and evaluating the benefits of sustainable use of resources.

The commission aims to create a system for identifying and assigning monetary value to ecosystem services and ensuring that all levels of government adopt the system.

Saturday, February 23, 2013 in Sustainable Cities Collective

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Inside of self-driving truck on road.

California Is Retooling its AV Guidelines

The California DMV is proposing a new framework for light- and heavy-duty self-driving trucks that would enhance reporting requirements and pave the way for autonomous commercial fleets.

5 seconds ago - Smart Cities Dive

Row of two-story homes in Boulder, Colorado.

Proposed Boulder Ballot Measures Call for Impact Fees, Affordable Duplexes

Boulder residents are working to put two housing-related proposals on the November ballot.

1 hour ago - Boulder Reporting Lab

Austin, Texas skyline.

Austin’s Building Boom Not Reaching Lowest-Income Families

Despite having the highest rate of affordable housing construction in the nation, Austin is still underproducing housing for the neediest households.

2 hours ago - Fast Company

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO