Gothenburg University School of Global Studies GS2534 V11 Master Thesis Supervisor: Gunilla Almered Olsson A conversion of nature’s value? A critical analysis of the TEEB as an appropriate tool to valuate ecosystems and biodiversity with an empir- ical analysis of a Climate Change adaptation project in Falsterbo-Skanör Vellinge School of Global Studies Maraja Riechers Gulsparvsgatan 63A [email protected] 4. Semester: Master Thesis, 30hec, Master of Global Studies Date of Delivery: 21st Feb. 2012; Word Count: 23 377 with references A Conversion of Nature‟s Value? Master Thesis, Maraja Riechers Abstract This thesis critically analyzes the appropriateness of The Economics of Ecosystems and Bio- diversity (TEEB) in terms of theoretical and practical implications and limitations. Separated into two parts, this thesis firstly examines the theoretical background and flaws of the frame- work in terms of it stated goal to enhance sustainability. In their regard, nature‟s value is de- fined as benefits to society and is assessed through forms of economic valuation. TEEB uses the intuitive and convincing language of the world‟s dominant economic-political system of capitalism to guide decision-makers and aims to mainstream economic valuation. Among the theoretical problems within the approach, commensurability and silencing of other values are the most striking. The theoretical background of TEEB is assessed critically, and I show that economic valuation could only in some terms be helpful and should be seen as a small part of a broader multi-criteria analysis. To test TEEB‟s practicability, the unique attempt to merge an economic valuation with the topic of local climate change adaptation in Falsterbo-Skanör Vellinge. For this, I dissected the TEEB down to the level of actual valuation and analyzed its practical problems. Statements from regional and local decision-makers on their view upon the impact of economic valuation round the empirical part off. Keywords: TEEB, Sustainable Development, De-Growth, Economic/ Environmental Valua- tion, Climate Change I A Conversion of Nature‟s Value? Master Thesis, Maraja Riechers Acknowledgements First and foremost, I would like to thank the whole SECOA team of the Department of Hu- man Ecology. Professor Karl Bruckmeier, Per Knutsson and Andrea Morf gave me guidance to find a special study site. I thank them for their support and motivation, and the interest they have shown in my thesis topic. Additionally, I owe great thanks to Professor Joan Martínez-Alier‟s inspiration through his speeches at the University of Gothenburg. Special thanks go to my supervisor Gunilla Almered Olsson for her help and flexibility, as I finished my thesis unexpected early. I also would like to thank my interviewees to take the time to answer my questions. Finally, I would like to thank my friends and family members for encouraging me and lending me an editing hand. Thank you all very much. II A Conversion of Nature‟s Value? Master Thesis, Maraja Riechers Table of Contents Abstract .............................................................................................................................................. I Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................II Table of Contents...............................................................................................................................III List of Tables ...................................................................................................................................... V Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................... VI 1. Introduction ...............................................................................................................................1 1.1. Background .........................................................................................................................1 1.2. Objectives ...........................................................................................................................2 1.3. Research Questions .............................................................................................................3 1.4. Limitations and Delimitations ..............................................................................................4 1.5. The Example of Falsterbo-Skanör .........................................................................................5 1.6. Thesis Structure ...................................................................................................................6 2. Theory: Theoretical Background of Sustainability ......................................................................8 2.1. The History of the Sustainability Debate ..............................................................................8 2.2. Sustainable Development .................................................................................................. 10 2.3. De-Growth......................................................................................................................... 14 2.4. Environmental Valuation Methods .................................................................................... 19 3. Theoretical Analysis: The TEEB Approach ................................................................................. 24 3.1. Theory ............................................................................................................................... 25 3.2. Modus Operandi................................................................................................................ 27 3.3. Summary: TEEB’s Theoretical Problems ............................................................................. 30 3.3.1. Values of Nature ........................................................................................................ 31 4. Empirical Analysis: . Application of the TEEB on Falsterbo-Skanörs’ Climate Change Adaptation ............................ 35 4.1. Methodological Discussion: Choice of Method................................................................... 35 4.1.1. Contingent Valuation Method .................................................................................... 36 4.2. Study Site: Falsterbo-Skanör Vellinge ................................................................................. 39 4.2.1. Ecosystem Services in the Falsterbo-Skanör Area ....................................................... 41 4.3. Climate Change in Falsterbo-Skanör .................................................................................. 45 4.3.1. The Issue of Climate Change ...................................................................................... 45 4.3.2. Climate Change Adaptation in Falsterbo-Skanör ......................................................... 48 4.4. Empirical Data Collection ................................................................................................... 53 4.5. Findings ............................................................................................................................. 55 III A Conversion of Nature‟s Value? Master Thesis, Maraja Riechers 4.6. Summary: TEEB’s Practical Problems ................................................................................. 57 5. Summary .................................................................................................................................. 61 5.1. Discussion ......................................................................................................................... 61 5.2. SWOT Analysis of the TEEB appraoch ................................................................................. 64 5.3. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 65 Bibliography...................................................................................................................................... 67 Annex I: Questionnaire I.................................................................................................................... 73 Annex II: Results of Questionnaire I................................................................................................... 76 Annex III: Questionnaire II ................................................................................................................. 77 IV A Conversion of Nature‟s Value? Master Thesis, Maraja Riechers List of Tables Page Table 2.4.2 Values 21 Table 2.4.3 Valuation Methods 22 Table 3.2.2 Detailed Ecosystem Services and Values combined with possible applicable Methods 29 Table 4.1.1 Revealed and Stated Preference Methods 36 Table 4.2.1.1 Information to Natural Resource Areas 42 Table 4.2.1.2 Ecosystem Services by land Area of the outer Falsterbo peninsula 43 Table 4.3.2.1 Water level change in Swedish Harbors from 1890 to 2010 48 Table 4.3.2.3 Falsterbo-Skanör‟s Ecosystems and Climate Change impacts 51 Table 4.3.2.3 Overview of empirical Study 54 Table 5.2.1 SWOT Analysis 64 List of Figures Page Figure 2.2.1 Sustainable Development, Theory 11 Figure 2.3.1 Sustainable De-Growth, Theory 15 Figure 2.4.1 Environmental Valuation 20 Figure 3.1.1 Pathway from Ecosystem Structure and . Processes to Human Well-being 26 Figure 3.2.1 Value types within the TEV Approach 28 Figure 5.1.1 Southern Sweden; Vellinge