November 19, 2015Session on Economic valuation of coastal ecosystem services

Da Nang, Vietnam

Jungho NAM

representing MESN KOREA (Marine Ecosystem Services Research Network of Korea)

Ecosystem services are jargons? Challenging issues in translating them into marine

spatial policy

1997

2001~2005

2006

2007

2008

Costanza et al

MA (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment)

UNEP

SGAN-UNEP WCMCTEEB, (G8+5 summit)

CBD COP9ESP(Ecosystem Service Partnership)

2009 UNESCO-IOC

2010 Marine ESP

2011 EU (Ecosystem Ass. & Mapping)

2013 1st IPBES Plenary Session

2012 IPBES

Small Steps to Mainstream Ecosystem Services into Policy Regime

(Nam, 2014)

What is the Ecosystem Service?Marine

Benefits people obtain from ecosystems (MA, 2005)Marine

• How do the public understand the term of “ecosystem service”? Or Are they familiar with the term as much as other services by humans?

ServicesServices PaymentPayment

Human WorksEcosystem works

ActionAction

ServicesServices ServicesPayment

• Acknowledgement and Payment on Ecosystem Services vs. Human Services

We have witnessed

• Cared by Experts group, mostly Scientists

• Weak understanding of Marine Ecosystem works

• Political driver, rhetoric rather than enforceable

• Not Common Language

• Less tangible connection to incomes and societies

In the meantime, Clues on Anticipatory Future

AssessmentAssessment

ValuationValuation

ApplicationApplication

7/10

2/10

1/10

Status Quo : Most of experts are staying at Assessment

Somethings are confusing in their researches.

Overestimation of several services, ex. purification

Assessment-valuation, stock-services etc

8

2013

Promising Clue : Rocketing MES researches since mid 2000s

1989

(Liquete et al, 2013)

(Nam, 2015)

Status Quo : MES, less highlighted in SDGs

(Nam & Kang, 2009)

Promising Clue : Striving for Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning

(Belgium gov. 2012)(Chang, Yoo, Nam & Kang et al, 2007)(MOF 2011)

(UNESCO-IOC, 2009)

• CVM application for MES valuation of Saemanguem area• Very hard to translate terms into common language

Status Quo : Ecosystem Language, not easily understood

Promising Clue : Efforts to Re-alignment of Generic Environmental Charge mechanism such as User fees, environmental taxation, environmental charge, compensation on impaired environment etc

Status Quo : Economic Level does function as a Primary Indicator for galvanizing eco-concern

Modified from Nam & Kang (2002)

Promising Clue : SD & EBM, transformed from a global discourse to commitments by most states’ participation to legally-binding or voluntary international mechanism

Jargon to Common Language

1. Building Concrete “Theoretical Framework” Addressing their issues : definition, function & structure, services

inventory, assessment & valuation methods, etc

2. Creation of Communication Language Nature’s initiative : science communication

Eg. environmental carrying capacity alcohol tolerance

3. From Text (description) to Context (transcription)

MES payment value-embeded (surplus-reflecting) charge system

by using conventional/familiar terms (fees, charges, taxes, deposit,

compensation etc)

4. Accumulation of Episodic Evidences & Small-scale Successes (Quantity to Quality Transition)

Informative Materials (maps, brochures) on dynamics of Ecological & Economic Values

Linking ecosystem works (change) to socio-economic benefits (change)

E.g Masan bay, Suncheon Bay, Xiamen, Batangas bay etc

5. Valuation-based Decision Statements on a single issue/project or small-scale areas or a very controversial issue Economic feasibility assessment, environment impact assessment etc

6. Incremental/Iterative attitude for shifting legal & institutional paradigm

More focus on decision-makers than lay people at preparatory stage

Do not expect “a single shot success”

RO Korea’s Challengeesilientcean

Thank you for listening