Green Growth That Works: Natural Capital Policy and Finance Mechanisms from around the World

Washington, D.C. (September 12, 2019)—Rapid economic development has lifted millions out of poverty, raised standards of living, and increased life expectancies. But economic development comes at a cost to natural resources—the fertile soils, forests, coastal marshes, and farmland—that support all life on earth. The challenge is to figure out how to improve the human condition without destroying nature in the process. A new, win-win approach to development is quickly gaining traction—one with nature as a key engine of health and economic prosperity.

Inclusive green growth secures the well-being of people and nature through targeted policies and financial mechanisms. Countries worldwide are demonstrating this approach to protect critical forests, coral reefs, and other native ecosystems while strengthening livelihoods in their communities. Leaders in academia, finance, sustainable development, and the private sector agree this pathway is essential for the future. Now, leaders are looking for reliable tools and guidance to implement a green growth approach.

Green Growth That Works: Natural Capital Policy and Finance Mechanisms from around the World (Publication Date: September 12, 2019) is the first practical guide to offer proven techniques for planning and achieving nature-based solutions. Edited by leading experts from the Natural Capital Project, this valuable compendium addresses questions including: How can we channel economic incentives to make conservation and restoration desirable? What approaches have worked best? What are the opportunities to scale and improve successful models?

“This book offers success stories from around the world and is designed to equip leaders to implement a green growth approach in their own community or region,” said lead editor Lisa Mandle. “It distills key lessons from the rapid advances in science, technology, policy and finance over the past two decades.”

The book opens with an introduction to green growth strategies and then identifies six mechanisms to conserve and restore Earth’s myriad ecosystems: government subsidies, regulatory-driven mitigation, voluntary conservation, water funds, market-based transactions, and bilateral and multilateral payments. Global case studies will inspire agencies and organizations eager to make green growth work anywhere in the world.

Examples range from blending finance mechanisms for coastal resilience in the United States to valuing nature as the basis of economic development in China. Other topics include paying for ecosystem services in the public and private sectors, investing in water security, and incorporating natural capital into urban planning. Jane Lubchenco, former administrator of NOAA writes, “Green Growth That Works portrays visionary projects from around the world that demonstrate powerful outcomes of communities, governments, and financial institutions working with nature to develop infrastructure thoughtfully through pioneering plans, policies, and investments.”

Green Growth That Works is an essential resource for every policymaker, business, private investor, scientist, and conservation organization committed to a future where both humans and nature can thrive.

Lisa Mandle is a Lead Scientist at the Natural Capital Project at Stanford University. Zhiyun Ouyang is professor and director of Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences. James Salzman is the Donald Bren Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law with joint appointments at UCLA Law School and the UC Santa Barbara, School of Environment. Gretchen Daily is Bing Professor of Environmental Science at Stanford University, where she also serves as Senior Fellow in the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment; Director of the Center for Conservation Biology; and co-founder and faculty director of the Natural Capital Project.

Green Growth that Works Island Press Paperback Original Publication Date: September 12, 2019 336 pages | 6.5x8.38 | Price: $35.00 ISBN: 978-1-64283-003-3 Book page: https://islandpress.org/books/green-growth-works