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Economics

Bluebells in woodland at RSPB Minsmere

Image: David Tipling

The environment and the economy are highly interconnected. The economic climate and government policy can alter the attitudes towards, and resources available to, environmental protection.

We know that conservation provides vast and varied life supporting and enhancing benefits to us all. We aim to demonstrate the fundamental importance of these links in campaigning for a broad and thorough approach to sustainable development.

Economic arguments can illustrate the benefits people gain from biodiversity, and ensure that policy makers are as informed as possible about the wide-ranging payoffs of conserving our wildlife.

We use such arguments to guard against policies that provide economic incentives for people and businesses to damage the environment, and support policies that work towards environmental sustainability in terms of jobs and other economic opportunities.

We work in two main areas:

The economic case for nature

Fantastic places for wildlife can also be fantastic places for people. Economics is primarily concerned with human wellbeing and is therefore best placed to make arguments for the environment on this basis. More...

The economic case for nature

Campaigning for a better future

Economics plays a crucial role in our conservation policy work. When we propose changes in Government policy, it is important to understand the costs and benefits involved. More...

Campaigning for a better future