Natural capital (together with social, human, built and economic capital) provides an economy’s stock of resources upon which our health, wealth and wellbeing depend.The stock of natural capital is made up of natural assets such as landscapes, soils, water, air and biodiversity. Society derives ecosystem services from this stock such as: pollination, flood protection, water and water purification, carbon storage and recreation/amenity sites.

Human production and consumption of goods and services has both positive and negative impacts on nature. If we extract too much from nature or cause environmental damage we degrade our natural assets and put our economy and society at risk.

The problem at present is that we don’t value nature enough, to the extent that important stocks of underlying natural assets are being depleted faster than they can be replenished.

Combining risks and assets helps us understand which areas of our region are under most environmental stress.

The work created a risk register to understand the pressures on our natural resources.

Understanding the state and extent of natural capital in the Anglian Water region is the essential first step in protecting our region’s environment.

UEA did an evaluation of the Natural Capital in the Anglian Water Region which covers 21.6% of England in terms of area and had 12.8% of the population (7 million people) in 2014. Projected population growth 2014-39 is 18%, compared to 16.3% in the rest of England, putting more stress on our valuable natural resources.

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The analysis of 5 different natural capital assets were particularly important as we work to ensure the provision of water and sewerage services is sustainable and where possible benefits the environment.

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NATURAL CAPITAL

Our next steps are to understand how to incorporate natural capital into our decision-making to minimise our impact on the environment and enhance it where possible.

acwaterstudies.org

Natural Capital

Pres

sure

s

Priority Habitats and Designated Areas

Biodiversity

High Quality Agricultural Land

Provisioning Natural Capital

0 - 4.14.2 - 4.64.7 - 55.1 - 6.1

Supporting Natural Capital

46 - 5354 - 5758 - 6162 - 152

Regulating Natural Capital Carbon in Soil and Vegetation (t/ha)

Nectar Plant Diversity for Bees

Amenity and Recreation Areas

Cultural Natural Capital

Projected population increase (%) from 2014 to 2039

Water resources not available for additional consumptive licensing

2.5 - 9.910.0 - 17.417.5 - 24.925.0 - 36.9