In order to better understand how the market values the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services – the benefits that nature provides for free – the project conducted a survey among key stakeholders, including consumers and producers.
Why did we conduct the survey?
The aim of the survey was to determine:
• Does the market recognize the value of ecosystem services embedded in sustainable products?
• How consumers value products that have a positive impact on the natural environment;
• What sustainable practices are already being implemented by manufacturers, and to what extent is the market recognizing their environmental added value.
The collected data will serve as a basis for the development of effective approaches and marketing tools that will enhance the visibility of products with high conservation value – especially in agriculture, livestock farming and tourism.
What are ecosystem services?
Ecosystem services are the benefits that natural systems provide to people. According to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA, 2005), they are divided into four main categories:
• Regulatory services: pollination, climate and water regulation, erosion prevention, habitat conservation;
• Provisioning services: food production, fresh water, natural materials;
• Cultural services: recreation, aesthetics, education, spiritual and identity values;
• Supporting services: soil formation, nutrient cycling, primary production.
Properly valuing these services is key to shaping sustainable policies, economies, and everyday consumer decisions.
What’s next?
The results of the survey will significantly contribute to the formation of a joint inter-partner strategy and action plan.
The Central-BIC project is co-financed by the Interreg Central Europe program and brings together partners from several European countries with the aim of developing innovative solutions for biodiversity conservation and sustainable spatial management.