Corporate Ecosystem Services Review: Resources
The following information resources are available to help managers conduct an the ESR or to explore certain issues in depth. The list is not exhaustive and focuses on those that may be of direct relevance to corporate managers.
Online Networks and Resources
Networks of leading thinkers on ecosystem services science, markets, strategy, and policy. Get in touch with these professionals for ecosystem services information at any stage of the ESR.
Scientific Assessments
Extensive research by the scientific community on issues relating to ecosystems, ecosystem services, and drivers of ecosystem change. Information from scientific assessments typically assist managers with steps 3 and 4 of the ESR.
- Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
- International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development
Issue-Specific
Resources to assist with in-depth analysis of particular ecosystem services, drivers of ecosystem change, or business strategies to manage risks and opportunities. These tools and resources are relevant to steps 2, 3, and 4 of the ESR.
Sector-Specific
Resources focused on particular sectors.
- Fish Source
- Good Practices for Mining and Biodiversity
- Initial Biodiversity & Assessment Planning
- Sustainable Procurement of Wood- and Paper-Based Products
- Measuring Ecological Services (Forestry)
- Landscape Measures Resource Center
- The Sustainable Sites Initiative
Valuation
Tools to help managers assign quantitative values to ecosystem services. Ecosystem valuation is sometimes integrated into steps 4 or 5 of the ESR.
Markets for Ecosystem Services & Offsets
Emerging markets and payment schemes that value and conserve ecosystem services present a host of opportunities to business. These resources offer information as well as provide forums to make deals, especially useful for steps 4 & 5 of the ESR.
- Business and Biodiversity Offsets Program
- Ecosystem Marketplace
- National Mitigation Banking Association
- Speciesbanking.com
- Watershed Markets
- Nutrient Net
- Nutrient Trading Tool
Online Networks and Resources
The Ecosystem Services Experts Directory
The Ecosystem Services Experts Directory
Description & Use. This global resource includes a wide range of noted experts on ecosystems and ecosystem function willing to provide specific guidance on particular ecosystem trends or environmental management practices.
- Understand science of ecosystem services
Business & Ecosystem Services Professionals Group
Business & Ecosystem Services Professionals Group
Description & Use.This LinkedIn group allows members to share recent news and best practices, start discussions, and connect with peers about pressing issues at the nexus of business and ecosystems.
- Discuss ecosystem services-related business strategies
- Get up to date news regarding trends in ecosystem services and drivers of ecosystem change
Scientific Assessments
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Reports
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
Description & Use. State-of-the-art scientific audit of the condition and trends in the world’s ecosystems and ecosystem services, as well as a review of the drivers of ecosystem change.
- Understand science of ecosystem services
- Understand trends in ecosystem services and drivers of ecosystem change
Climate Change Assessment Reports
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Description & Use. Latest scientific and technical assessments of human-induced climate change, including its observed and projected impacts on the world’s ecosystems.
- Understand how climate change will drive ecosystem service trends
Plenary Documents
International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development
Description & Use. Reviews global trends in demographics, economics, water use, land cover change, and technology in relation to agriculture.
- Understand risks and trends in agriculture
Issue-Specific Resources
Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool
BirdLife International; Conservation International
Description & Use. Provides access to information about protected areas and biodiversity areas to inform the implementation of corporate biodiversity policies and enhance environmental management systems.
Global Water Tool
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Description & Use. Excel workbook with on-line mapping features to identify a firm’s relationship to water.
- Identify dependence and impact your firm has on the ecosystem service of freshwater
- Assess trends in fresh water
- Identify fresh water business risks and opportunities
GS Sustain
Goldman Sachs
Description & Use. Framework for analyzing a company’s competitive advantage in mature industries and for identifying leaders in emerging industries with attention to environmental issues.
- Better understand your firm’s potential financing risks relative to industry best practices in environmental management
Sustainable Procurement of Wood and Paper-Based Products
World Resources Institute & World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Description & Use. An information and decision making tool to help companies develop their own sustainable procurement policies for wood and paper-based products.
- Develop sourcing strategies related to wood products
TruCost
TruCost PLC
Description & Use. Independent analysis that ranks companies’ environmental performance through environmental impacts and external damage costs.
- Better understand risks related to ecosystem services
Waterwiser Water Efficiency Clearinghouse
American Water Works Association
Description & Use. Interactive website that provides information on how to manage water conservation, efficiency, and demand.
- Obtain data on conservation, efficiency and demand management strategies
Water Sustainability Tool
Global Environmental Management Initiative
Description & Use. Methodology for developing strategies related to fresh water.
- Identify dependence and impact your firm has on the ecosystem service of freshwater
- Assess trends in freshwater
- Identify freshwater business risks and opportunities
- Develop and implement strategies for managing these risks and opportunities
Eco-Life Cycle Assessment
Ohio State University
Description & Use. Ohio State scientists have devised a rigorous method to quantify the lifecycle resource consumption of industrial products and processes, including “embedded” natural capital–ecosystem services.
- Assess and compare products’ ecosystem services impact
Sector-Specific Resources
FishSource
Sustainable Fisheries Partnership
Description & Use. Web interface providing information on the sustainability and environmental performance of fish stocks and fisheries around the globe.
- Identify status and trends of fish stock and fisheries
- Understand risks of fish stocks and fisheries
Good Practices Guidance for Mining and Biodiversity
International Council on Mining & Metals
Description & Use. Tools to review impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services of mining operations and to develop projects for offsetting impacts when they cannot be mitigated.
- Better incorporate biodiversity considerations into projects
Initial Biodiversity & Assessment Planning
Center for Environmental Leadership in Business at Conservation International
Description & Use. Tool that integrates biodiversity information and conservation planning into the earliest stages of a mining or oil and gas project.
- Understand biodiversity issues early in the project planning phase
Sustainable Procurement of Wood and Paper-Based Products
World Resources Institute & World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Description & Use. An information and decision-making resource guide to help companies develop their own sustainable procurement policies for wood and paper-based products.
- Develop sourcing strategies related to wood products
American Forests
Description & Use. Calculates the value of clean air and water services provided by trees to urban areas.
Landscape Measures Resource Center
Ecoagriculture Partners
Description & Use. A 6-step process designed to guide multiple stakeholders on assessing and achieving conservation and agricultural production goals. Steps include measuring current landscape conditions, creating performance criteria and stakeholder engagement.
The Sustainable Sites Initiative
American Society of Landscape Architects
Description & Use. Program to develop voluntary national guidelines and performance benchmarks on sustainable land design, construction, and maintenance practices. Can be applied to national parks, industrial, retail, military and residential areas. Working with U.S. Green Building Council to incorporate concepts into LEED.
Valuation Resources
Ecosystem Valuation.org
University of Maryland and U.S. Department of Agriculture
Description & Use. An introduction to ecosystem valuation including the rationale and variety of valuation techniques.
- Gain a basic understand of valuation
EcoValue Project
Gund Institute at the University of Vermont
Description & Use. Web-based, mapping tool for assessing and reporting the economic value of ecosystem goods and services.
- Understand the value of ecosystem services
CaseBase
Foundation for Sustainable Development
Description & Use. Information source for ecosystem service research and implementation including tools and examples for valuation.
- Understand and identify valuation and market based strategies
The Environmental Valuation Reference Inventory
Environment Canada
Description & Use. The EVRI is a searchable storehouse of empirical studies on the economic value of environmental benefits and human health effects. It has been developed as a tool to help policy analysts use the benefits transfer approach.
Markets for Ecosystem Services & Offsets
Business and Biodiversity Offsets Program
Forest Trends & Conservation International
Description & Use. Toolkit for designing and implementing biodiversity offsets that compensate for the unavoidable impact on biodiversity caused by infrastructure projects.
- Develop offsets as a strategy for minimizing risks associated with ecosystem impacts
Ecosystem Marketplace
Katoomba Group
Description & Use. One of the most comprehensive sources of information on ecosystem services markets and payments programs. Covers water quality, carbon sequestration and biodiversity markets, as well as emerging trends in ecosystem trading.
- Understand markets for ecosystem services
- Find emerging ecosystem markets in your region
National Mitigation Banking Association
National Mitigation Banking Association
Description & Use. Lobbies for federal legislation and regulatory policy that promotes mitigation and conservation banking, primarily focused on wetlands.
- Get involved in mitigation banking
Speciesbanking.com
Katoomba Group
Description & Use. A centralized information resource for buyers, sellers and other species credit market players. Provides information on banks, credit availability, trader contact information, species inventory and industry trends.
Watershed Markets
International Institute for Environment and Development
Description & Use. Provides case studies and analysis on effective watershed markets.
Nutrient Net
World Resources Institute
Description & Use. Web-based tools for water quality trading and reverse auctions. Aims to improve water quality through market-based approaches.
- Understand and engage water quality or nutrient trading markets
Nutrient Trading Tool
USDA-NRCS
Description & Use. compares agricultural management systems to calculate a change in nitrogen, phosphorous, sediment loss potential, and crop yield.
- Understand and participate in water quality or nutrient trading markets
