Studies on The Economic Valuation of Environmental Goods and Ecosystem Services: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Purpose: This investigation aimed to analyze the focus of scientific studies that involve the economic valuation of environmental goods and ecosystem services. Method: The method used was a systematic literature review, carried out in six stages: a) selection of articles on the Capes Periodicals Portal, b) screening of articles for systematization using the PRISMA Flowchart, c) definition of systematization variables, d) analysis of information in articles according to defined variables (codes), e) qualitative and quantitative inferences from information collected in articles and f) generation of research results. Results and discussion: The results showed that there was a) greater interest in studies valuing ecosystem services, with 69.2% in 2020, b) an increase of 43.5% in bibliographic studies in 2021 compared to 2020 and 37, 5% in 2022 compared to 2021, c) a decrease in the valuation of environmental damage from 2018, and d) a decrease in environmental valuation in 2020. Research implications: The findings contribute to decision-making for new research initiatives in economic and environmental valuation and the managerial decision-making process related to the challenges of ensuring ecosystem sustainability. Originality/value: The study shows that economic valuation methods for estimating the use of ecosystem goods and services come from environmental economics and other measurement approaches.