Valuation Of Environmental Resources Research Articles

Analysis of the environmental resources value and enterprises economic benefits based on combination algorithm

Abstract To solve the problems of fuzziness, nonlinearity and complexity of economic factors and environmental factors in the evaluation of ecological economic benefits of enterprises are studied. Based on the theory of environmental-economic benefits (EEB), this paper defines the value of environmental resources and economic benefits of enterprises, and puts forward the indicators of environmental and economic benefits. The evaluation model of enterprise EEB based on the analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy set algorithm is constructed. By establishing the hierarchical structure model of index system, the intuitive fuzzy judgement matrix is obtained, and the final score of enterprise environmental benefits is calculated by consistency test and weight analysis. After verifying the model, the evaluation method of enterprise EEB proposed in this paper is accurate and reliable, which is helpful to deeply analyse the hidden order and adaptation mechanism of complex adaptation system of enterprise environmental management.

A Study of the Guidelines for the Planning and Design of Circular Buildings

Circular building is one of the key turning points in the movement of the construction industry towards sustainable development. It is a “circulation” and “human” idea aimed at balancing the construction and design of the residential environment with the responsibility and values of environmental resources and ecology. This study was focused on the formulation of planning and design guidelines that comply with the current circular building centred economy. Input from industry operatives was collected using semi-structural interviews and a pyramidal approach was employed using logical reasoning to set up planning and design objectives as well as specifications in 4 dimensions covering 12 items. The results provide substantial references for the promotion of current environmental codes compliant with circular building. They can also be used to shape up resource circulation in the construction industry, and help to meet the many needs of sustainable development in the planning and design of circular buildings.

A Study of the Guidelines for the Planning and Design of Circular Buildings

Circular building is one of the key turning points in the movement of the construction industry towards sustainable development. It is a “circulation” and “human” idea aimed at balancing the construction and design of the residential environment with the responsibility and values of environmental resources and ecology. This study was focused on the formulation of planning and design guidelines that comply with the current circular building centred economy. Input from industry operatives was collected using semi-structural interviews and a pyramidal approach was employed using logical reasoning to set up planning and design objectives as well as specifications in 4 dimensions covering 12 items. The results provide substantial references for the promotion of current environmental codes compliant with circular building. They can also be used to shape up resource circulation in the construction industry, and help to meet the many needs of sustainable development in the planning and design of circular buildings.

Conservation value of environmental resources in Iran’s Gurgo and Maleshoure rangelands

Informing people and valuing the environmental resources will ensure better resource protection, create a variety of jobs and improve the livelihoods of local people. Herein this research determines the conservation value of the rangelands and the factors affecting the individual’s willingness to pay (WTP) using the contingent valuation method and logit regression model in Boyer-Ahmad’s Maleshoure and Gurgo region, Iran. The parameters of the model were estimated using the maximum likelihood method through 380 questionnaires. Based on the results, the variables of accountability, age, income, household cost, education, membership of environmental organizations, distance to the region and bid had significant impacts on the individual’s WTP (P < 0.01). The results showed that the conservation value of the region was estimated at RLs 4090.3 million. The average WTP by individuals to preserve the region was RLs 21,970, and the conservation value for each household was RLs 263,649 per year (2018). This low rate of WTP can be considered as a positive option in attracting tourism to see the natural attractions and improve the livelihood of the local people (range-manager and stockholders), and this alternative livelihood will also provide better protection of resources in this area.

ECONOMETRICS OF ENVIRONMENTAL VALUATION: THE BAYESIAN INFERENCES ON WILLINGNESS TO PAY ESTIMATIONS

This study applied the Bayesian approach to estimate people’s willingness to pay (WTP) for mitigation of environmental hazards in oil producing areas in Nigeria. The Bayesian approach enabled estimation of the mixed logit model employing the normal and log-normal distributions of WTP parameters. The model estimate indicating a negative WTP values for the status quo (STAQUO) attribute suggests that people in oil producing areas in Nigeria do not like the current welfare situation and environmental condition which are characterised by environmental problems, affecting adequate use of resources and ecosystem services. The results also show a comparatively higher WTP for food safety (FOODSAF), poverty rate (POVERTY) and unemployment rate (UNEMP) respectively, suggesting people’s desire for mitigation of undesirable livelihood (welfare) impacts of resource exploitation. On the other hand, the results also indicate positive WTP coefficients for land and water pollution from oil spills (SPILL), gas flaring (GFLARE) and land occupied by oil and gas pipelines (LOCC), suggesting that majority of the people are in support of mitigation strategies or policy change that would ensure significant reduction in environmental pollution, gas flaring, and land-take by oil and gas companies. Oil and gas companies are encouraged to ensure mitigation of environmental and livelihood impacts of the crude oil and gas extraction, including reduction in gas flaring, based on environmental laws and global best drilling practices. The study further recommends application of the willingness to pay approach as an important strategy for assessing the values of environmental resources and the impact of resource use.

Revealing environmental income in rural livelihoods: evidence from four villages in Lao PDR

ABSTRACTPolicies in Lao PDR encourage farmers to transition from shifting to sedentary agriculture, and the conversion of ‘degraded’ forest to agricultural and plantation concessions. As access to natural resources becomes increasingly contested in these contexts, it is helpful to better understand the economic value of environmental resources, including ‘degraded’ forests, for rural livelihoods. The ‘environmental income’ from these environmental resources remains underappreciated, in part because of methodological limitations, and is reflected in policy decisions favouring conversion of this natural capital to various forms of agricultural concession. This study draws from immersive fieldwork in four villages in Lao PDR to provide more rigorous evidence about the value of natural capital to rural households. Results show that environmental income was important to all wealth classes of rural households, averaging 23% of total annual household livelihood income. Our findings are consistent with global assessments, help explain why rural Lao people contest development that compromises the natural capital from which they derive environmental income, and emphasise the importance of recognising environmental income in land use and development policies and programmes in Lao PDR.

Comparison of Contingent Valuation and Travel Cost Method in Estimating the Recreational Values of a Forest Park in Iran

Today, countries that focus more on economic development considers the tourism industry as a major contributor to it. As one of the major field of tourism, ecotourism is seriously promoted. Estimating monetary value of environmental resources of ecosystem function is a method for understanding if the investments for conservation, improvement or revival of the environmental resources earned social welfare improvements. In this study, The recreational value of Bamo National Park (BNP) was estimated and measured using two methods of Contingent Value Method (CVM) and Travel Cost Method (TCM). The variables, inhabitance, distance from park, first visit, number of visit, deontologist, education, travel cost, visitors income, museum existence and existence of animal species were the effective variables on willingness to pay (WTP) of visitors in 2015. Monthly expected willingness to pay of Consequentialist and Deontologist visitors was US$ 2.08 and 2.47, respectively. Finally, the recreational value of Bamu Park, which were estimated in two methods was equivalent US$ 43940.47 and 79959.25, respectively, in 2015. The travel cost method used the market price information and it revealed there is willingness to pay and 90.7% of visitors have zone inhabitance. Further, travel cost function was ideal for the econometrics theoretical aspect and preferred using the travel cost method instead of contingent value method to valuating the Bamo National Park.

Economic valuation methods for environmental resources - a review

In the last decades, valuation of environmental resources become an emerging task for environmentalists, decision makers and technocrats as they often are being undervalued due to their non-marketable nature. Various studies demonstrated that most of the economies are paced with continuous huge unobserved monetary loss in terms of deteriorations of environmental assets. This would be unhygienic for economic development in the long run. This paper highlighted the range of possibilities of economic valuation methods, as an economic assessment tool and how they are associated with the concerned problems. The study also documented the various pros and cons of each method and seeks to explain how valuation should be conducted to counter the policy related questions.

Measurement of Bequest Value Using a Non-monetary Payment in a Choice Experiment—The Case of Improving Forest Ecosystem Services for the Benefit of Local Communities in Rural Kenya

This paper adds to the limited literature on the bequest value of environmental resources. A choice experiment (CE) was carried out in order to estimate the economic value of changes in ecosystem services that impact on the welfare of rural communities in the vicinity of a rainforest in Kenya. Our results demonstrate that, in addition to valuing immediate benefits, respondents were willing to pay 1750Kshs for the use of forest resources by posterity. The results also establish that the chosen non-monetary payment vehicle was not evaluated differently to a standard cash payment.

Territorial vulnerability and local conflicts perspectives for waste disposals siting. A case study in Lombardy region (Italy)

The interactions between economic activities and environmental quality is a field of research deeply explored since the second half of last century due to a growing public awareness about negative impacts of human actions on landscape. As shown by the large number of local communities' oppositions to the development of waste disposals, energy technologies and transport infrastructures, the loss in ecological value of environmental resources and the resulting decrease of human wellbeing are the most relevant concerns of opponents.Within this context, the paper explores the existence of a relationship among territorial vulnerability and local controversies emerged around the localization of new facilities, in order to provide decision-makers with an analytical tool for siting controversial facilities. The research has been developed according to four different phases: 1) the assessment of territorial vulnerability and the development of a Vulnerability Index (VI); 2) the introduction of supervised Artificial Neural Network (ANN) with the aim of weighting the VI criteria; 3) the analysis of intensity and spatial distribution of local oppositions and the development of the Local Conflict Index (LCI); 4) the investigation of oppositions against waste disposals. The analysis has been carried on the Lombardy region (Italy) since it shows the highest number of oppositions in the country.The results show that the synthetic territorial vulnerability assessment combined with the analysis of local conflicts could effectively be used for improving decisions about new facilities siting. The oppositions against waste disposals are relevant but mostly not directly linked to the territorial vulnerability.

Valoração econômica de recurso ambiental (VERA) da bacia hidrográfica de Guapi/Macacu (RJ)

Os ecossistemas são muito importantes para a ocorrência de vida no planeta Terra, devido ao papel que eles desempenham. Esses ambientes são responsáveis pelo fornecimento de bens e serviços ambientais, que podem ser divididos em: serviços de provisão, como provimento de água e alimentos; serviços de regulação, como regulação da água e sequestro de carbono; serviços de suporte, como dispersão de nutrientes e sementes; e serviços culturais, como a recreação. Apesar disso, a população humana demonstra pouca ou nenhuma preocupação com a conservação e manutenção dos recursos naturais. É nesse contexto que se insere a valoração econômica dos recursos ambientais (VERA), que atribui valores monetários aos recursos ambientes através da estimativa dos valores de uso direto, indireto e opção desses recursos. Essa técnica se mostra como uma ferramenta efetiva para demonstrar a importância dos serviços ecossistêmicos para a qualidade de vida da população. Logo, o presente trabalho visa estimar os valores de uso direto e indireto dos recursos ambientais e dos impactos ambientais da bacia hidrográfica de Guapi/Macacu no estado do Rio de Janeiro. Os resultados obtidos mostram que é possível atribuir valores monetários e avaliar impactos ambientais usando o método VERA e dessa forma contribuir para que a sociedade entenda a importância dos serviços ecossistêmicos e consequentemente do uso sustentável dos ecossistemas.

Evaluation on Environmental Resource Value of Artificial Seabuckthorn Forest in Sandstone Area during 1999-2008

China Seabuckthorn Ecological Project has been implemented for a decade (from 1999 to 2008) with an increasing seabuckthorn area of 1642.83 km^2 in the Sandstone Areas of Shanxi, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia－the most serious soil erosion area in China. The vast artificial seabuckthorn forest’s value in environmental resource is assessed via 7 indicators on first-level, 15 indicators on secondary level and 35 indicators on third level in this research. As of 2008, the seabuckthorn environmental resource value is 10.017 billion RMB Yuan, which equals to 37.1 times of the project’s total investment of 0.27 billion RMB Yuan. It is proposed in this research that the external economical values such as soil and water conservation, windbreak and sand-fixation can be realized through relative national policies and taxes. Carbon- fixation and oxygen-producing value can be achieved through the international carbon trade.

Can PC format CV reveal the true value of environmental resources in developing countries? A laboratory experiment in China

This is a report on payment card format contingent valuation prediction validity in China based on the individual level comparison in a world heritage site evaluation. An evaluation index system of indicators is set up according to the consistency of the individual willingness to pay as well as the mean (or median), the positive (or negative) proportion in the hypothetical context and those in the actual donation context. We took the conservation of a combined world heritage site Wuyi Mountain in China as the case study. By one-to-one individual level comparison, we demonstrate that people usually overstate their paying intention and overestimate their paying abilities, and the hypothetical individual WTP, mean, median, positive proportion and negative proportion are all significantly different from those in the actual context in this case. However, although the relationship between WTP and socioeconomic characteristics in the hypothetical context was not consistent with that in the actual situation, the survey still demonstrated the maximum support proportion and the least opponent proportion to the project when it was carried out. So we can conclude that in this case PC format CV is a poor indicator, partly owning to its free binding. We also find that when a person decides whether to pay (intention), he or she is more affected by his/her knowledge structure and social duty; when he/she really decides on how much he/she will pay, income becomes the most important factor.

Sturgeon viewing as nature tourism: to what extent do participants value their viewing experiences and the resources upon which they depend?

Fish viewing, a relatively new leisure activity, has nature tourism potential. We focused on sturgeon viewing in northeast Wisconsin to understand personal and experience characteristics, economic impacts, and sturgeon population values. The need for economic approaches, as used in this paper, was addressed for creating and supporting fish-viewing opportunities. In the spring of 2002, we intercepted viewers of a sturgeon spawning event, finding that they were similar to other nature tourism participants in terms of personal and experience characteristics. Most resided within 35 miles (56.33 km) of the viewing site and incurred expenditures only for auto fuel and restaurant meals. Viewers demonstrated a strong affinity for protecting the sturgeon population by supporting various management proposals for dealing with overharvest. Willingness-to-pay results help us to understand the use value of sturgeon viewing to participants as well as the underlying value of environmental resources that support viewing. This reduces the likelihood these resources will be converted to uses other than nature tourism. The estimated value to viewers of increasing regional sturgeon population levels by 10% exceeds $2 million over the resource asset lifetime. Overall, there is potential for other areas with watchable fish populations to attract additional economic impacts from both residents and non-residents.

Estimating willingness to pay with the stochastic payment card design: further evidence from rural Cameroon

This study reports new empirical findings of the field test of the stochastic payment card (SPC) design recently proposed by Wang (Contingent valuation of environmental resources: A stochastic perspective, 1997a; Journal of Environmental Economics & Management 32:219–232, 1997b). The purpose is to see how well this new contingent valuation method (CVM) elicitation format works in different cultural contexts, and what lessons can be drawn in general regarding its usefulness in environmental valuation. The survey is designed to estimate willingness to pay (WTP) values for an intended community-based environmental project in rural Cameroon (i.e., the control of malaria using larvivorous eating fish species). In order to estimate the bid function, Heckman’s 2-step method is used to detect, and if possible, correct for sample selection bias, an issue overlooked by the 2-step modeling approach proposed by Wang (1997a). The results suggest generally that in the presence of sample selection bias, Heckman’s 2-step estimates are more efficient and reliable for the public project in question than Wang’s proposed 2-stage modeling approach.

Valuation of Environmental Resources: The Case of the Brown Bear in the North of Spain

This work concerns the contingent valuation of endangered species. Specifically, it is devoted to quantify and model the value of the brown bear and its habitat in a society in the north of Spain. A single-bound dichotomous choice format for the valuation problem has been chosen. The main models to deal with this format will be recalled. In order to estimate the models, a multistage random sampling method has been developed, namely, two stratified random samplings and a final random routes sampling were carried out. The experiment was designed by taking into account the results of a pilot survey with open format questions. In particular, the total sample size has been determined by estimating the distribution of the errors by bootstrap, and the bid prices were fixed according to the pilot information. The results indicate that the target society gives more value to the brown bear than the one considered in the law in force.

Measuring individuals’ valuation distributions using a stochastic payment card approach: application to solid waste management in Nigeria

The objectives of this study are twofold. First it aims to establish empirical grounds for pricing the services of a new environmental management initiative in Enugu state, Nigeria. A joint initiative of the UK Department for International Development (DfID), Enugu State Environmental Protection Agency (ENSEPA) and the State and Local Government Programme (SLGP). The second is to test the empirical performance of a new approach to the contingent valuation method (CVM) i.e., the Stochastic Payment Card (SPC) design proposed by Wang (Contingent valuation of environmental resources: A stochastic perspective, 1997a, Journal of Environmental Economics & Management, 32:219–232, 1997b). The SPC design unlike many of the conventional CVM elicitation formats, takes into account the stochastic nature of individuals’ valuation decisions. The data for the analysis were obtained from a random sample survey of a district in Enugu metropolis. The results show that, on average, households in this city are willing to pay (WTP) 215 Naira ($1.6) monthly as against 200 Naira ($1.5) currently charged for the service by ENSEPA. Analysis of individual’s valuation distribution function indicates that this amount is positively and significantly related to the gender of the respondent, household income and the respondent’s perception of environmental quality.

Valuing environmental resources in the context of flood and coastal defence project appraisal

PurposeNon‐marketable natural coastal resources such as beaches, sand‐dune systems and cliff sides have an economic value deriving not least from the various services which they provide as well as the human demand for consuming some of these services. Coastal defence projects designed to protect the coast against erosion and flooding by the sea have often caused irreversible degradation to coastal natural resources. The main aim of this article is to investigate whether the joint use of cost‐benefit analysis and environmental resource valuation techniques can give any insights toward the sustainable use of the coast.Design/methodology/approach– This paper employs cost‐benefit analysis (CBA) in order to assess the justifiability of carrying out coast protection works in a particular location. This paper also uses contingent valuation methodology (CVM) to estimate the economic values of non‐marketable coastal environmental services. In particular, this paper employs willingness to pay (WTP) technique and try to elicit satisfaction values from beach users by conducting an on‐site questionnaire survey.Findings– his paper argues that there are many advantages in approaching shoreline protection project appraisal both from an environmental as well as an economics point of view. However, when conducting a cost‐benefit analysis the monetary value of environment elicited by contingent valuation techniques has very limited use in it self. It can set the financial budget within which likely coast protection options should be considered but it cannot determine which option is more sustainable. What the decision‐maker needs is to give real meaning to this value by translating it into people's specific preferences and behavioural characteristics. The next step should be setting out pragmatic project characteristics to accommodate the above preferences.Practical implications– Knowledge‐based planning and scheduling as well as informed coastal protection decisions is central to achieving sustainability in the coastal zone. Prior to managing a coastal area, the baseline information needed is the economic value of services that the coastal location in question provides.Originality/value– Generally speaking, the economic value of non‐marketable natural coastal resources such as beaches is closely associated with the way in which society perceives the environment. Both use and non‐use values that are placed upon the environment by individuals have an anthropocentric basis. In this respect, it could be argued that these values often reflect multiple coastal zone uses, conflicts of human interests, levels of environmental education, environmental awareness and environmental appreciation.

Science in the public process of ecosystem management: lessons from Hawaii, Southeast Asia, Africa and the US Mainland

Partnerships and co-operative environmental management are increasing worldwide as is the call for scientific input in the public process of ecosystem management. In Hawaii, private landowners, non-governmental organizations, and state and federal agencies have formed watershed partnerships to conserve and better manage upland forested watersheds. In this paper, findings of an international workshop convened in Hawaii to explore the strengths of approaches used to assess stakeholder values of environmental resources and foster consensus in the public process of ecosystem management are presented. Authors draw upon field experience in projects throughout Hawaii, Southeast Asia, Africa and the US mainland to derive a set of lessons learned that can be applied to Hawaiian and other watershed partnerships in an effort to promote consensus and sustainable ecosystem management. Interdisciplinary science-based models can serve as effective tools to identify areas of potential consensus in the process of ecosystem management. Effective integration of scientific input in co-operative ecosystem management depends on the role of science, the stakeholders and decision-makers involved, and the common language utilized to compare tradeoffs. Trust is essential to consensus building and the integration of scientific input must be transparent and inclusive of public feedback. Consideration of all relevant stakeholders and the actual benefits and costs of management activities to each stakeholder is essential. Perceptions and intuitive responses of people can be as influential as analytical processes in decision-making and must be addressed. Deliberative, dynamic and iterative decision-making processes all influence the level of stakeholder achievement of consensus. In Hawaii, application of lessons learned can promote more informed and democratic decision processes, quality scientific analysis that is relevant, and legitimacy and public acceptance of ecosystem management.

Green tourism in mountain regions-reducing vulnerability and promoting people and place centric development in the Himalayas

In recent years, mountain regions are attracting great attention to Indian tourists in general and foreign tourists in particular. The potential mountain resources for promoting green tourism are enormous in the form of natural and cultural heritage such as biosphere reserves, flora and fauna, lakes and rivers and traditional rural resources. In order to utilise tourism industry market, uncontrolled numbers of tourists and related haphazard infrastructural facilities in the vulnerable mountain regions pose serious environmental implications. The ecological pressures are threatening land, water and wild life resources through direct and indirect environmental impacts together with generation of solid and liquid wastes, so green tourism is emerging as an important task in order to develop new relationship between communities, government agencies and private sectors. The strategy focuses on ecological understanding, environmental protection and ecodevelopment. The major attributes of the green tourism include environmental conservation and education and distribution of income to local people based on strong partnership. Various knowledge systems go a long way for achieving the goals of the green tourism, which creates awareness about the value of environmental resources. Mountains have ecological, recreational, educational and scientific values, which need to be utilised in sustainable way. Various tourist activities and facilities need to be diversified in order to achieve multiple benefits including scientific field excursion, recreation in natural and cultural areas, community festivals and sport tourisms. Green tourism considers tourism development as an integral part to a national and regional development. The paper discusses the social, economic and environmental dimensions of the green tourism with particular reference to village tourism development programme taking empirical evidences from the Himalaya. Such programme also minimises biophysical and human vulnerability and risks in mountain regions. The environmental consciousness campaign and introduction of code through multi- purpose Tourist Resource Centres are gaining currency in above context.