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ToolsKenter, Jasper O., Carmenta, Rachel, Christie, Michael, Griffiths, Hywel, Ihemezie, Eberechukwu, Martin, Adrian, Gomez-Osorio, M. Teresa, Pascual, Unai, Raymond, Christopher M., Remoundou, Kyriaki and Waters, Ruth (2025) Toward a relational biodiversity economics: Embedding plural values for sustainability transformation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), 122 (40). ISSN 0027-8424
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Abstract
The prioritization of market over nonmarket values of nature is a key driver of the global biodiversity crisis. Recognizing nature’s diverse values in decisions is a fundamental lever for sustainability transformation. While economic valuation of nature has a long history, it has struggled to recognize the full suite of nature’s values, particularly the broad, relational, intrinsic, and shared values reflecting the complexity of human–nature relationships. We explore opportunities to expand the consideration of values within the economics of biodiversity by reviewing conventional and heterodox economic approaches. We argue that integrating pluralistic values requires a relational biodiversity economics that transcends people–nature dualism and seeks the flourishing of life. We synthesize foundations for such a paradigm in relation to worldviews, values, value indicators, and life frames. Our perspective transcends the dominant economic framing of nature as a passive, largely substitutable asset, to also consider nature as place, self, and harboring agency. This helps to overcome the limitations of conventional economic assumptions, better reflects peoples’ lived experiences, and supports transformations toward more just and sustainable futures.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Data, Materials, and Software Availability: There are no data underlying this work. Funding information: This research was supported by United Kingdom Research and Innovation through the Understanding Nature’s Multiple Values for Integration Into Decisions (NAVIGATE) project (NE/X002276/1). C.M.R. was supported by the Strategic Research Council of Finland through the Enabling Multispecies Transitions of Cities Regions (MUST) project (358365). U.P. acknowledges the “María de Maeztu” Programme for Units of Excellence of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CEX2019-000940-M and CEX2021-001201-M). |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | ipbes,biodiversity economics,environmental values,pluralistic valuation,relationality |
| Faculty \ School: | Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Global Development (formerly School of International Development) University of East Anglia Research Groups/Centres > Theme - ClimateUEA |
| UEA Research Groups: | Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Global Environmental Justice University of East Anglia Schools > Faculty of Science > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | LivePure Connector |
| Date Deposited: | 29 Sep 2025 15:30 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Oct 2025 16:30 |
| URI: | https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/100541 |
| DOI: | 10.1073/pnas.2314586122 |
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