Mainstreaming ecosystem services into policy and decision-making: lessons from New Zealand’s journey

Abstract

Since 2012 there has been an upsurge in New Zealand’s interest in how ecosystem service (ES) concepts can be used to assist decision-making. This paper outlines the progress New Zealand has made in integrating the ES concept into decision-making at government and business levels and provides insights into the challenges encountered. The observations and insights outlined in this paper are based on the interaction of the authors with the various actors in these dialogues and from their involvement in initiatives being undertaken by government and business. The key challenges discussed cover knowledge, indicators, indigenous cultural values, language and communication and decision-making. The paper also provides evidence to support or counter some of the ES critiques. While challenges exist with integrating ESs into decision-making, evidence to date suggests the approach is compelling and provides a structured, transparent and neutral mechanism to manage natural resources.

Keywords:

• ecosystem services
• policy
• decision-making
• business
• government
• natural resource management

Notes

1. In some instances, a unitary authority or council has been created in a region that has the combined functions of a regional and a district/city authority. There are 16 regional/unitary authorities in New Zealand.

2. Activities that need resource consents are classified as controlled, restricted discretionary, discretionary and non-complying. The council must grant a resource consent for a controlled activity (with a couple of exceptions), but can refuse to grant resource consent for a restricted discretionary, discretionary or non-complying activity. There are five types of resource consent: land-use consent, subdivision consent, water permit, discharge permit and coastal permit.

3. A limit is the maximum amount of resource use available, which allows a freshwater objective to be met (New Zealand government 2014).

4. The overview of these pilots is outlined in a series of short briefs and can be found at www.sbc.org.nz/resources-and-tools/case-studies [cited 2014 November 30].

5. Available from: www.wri.org/blog/2010/08/over-200-companies-now-use-corporate-ecosystem-services-review [cited 2014 November 30].

6. Much progress is being made on the articulation of Māori cultural values related to freshwater that provides better information on indigenous spiritual values.

7. This observation comes from the numerous interactions the authors have had with central government officials and regional council staff around resource management.

8. Each of these challenges with monetary values and ways to resolve the challenge has a substantial literature of their own, for example, paucity of data (see Johnston & Rosenburger 2010; Bateman 2011), monetising all ESs (see Awatere 2008; Bateman et al. 2011; Chan et al. 2011), double counting (Gren et al. 1994; Boyd & Banzhaf 2007; Fisher et al. 2009, 2011; Bateman 2011), values are time- and space-bound (see Fisher et al. 2011) and aggregating values (TEEB 2008; Slootweg & Van Beukering 2008; Laurans et al. 2013).

9. These are council staff responsible for assessing and approving resource consents. Consents are akin to permits.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment [C09X1307 (BEST); core funding: Landcare Research NZ Ltd/CRI]; Waikato Regional Council; Auckland Council; New Zealand Sustainable Business Council.