Links

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment- assessed the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being. From 2001 to 2005, the MA involved the work of more than 1,360 experts worldwide. Their findings provide a state-of-the-art scientific appraisal of the condition and trends in the world’s ecosystems and the services they provide, as well as the scientific basis for action to conserve and use them sustainably.
http://www.millenniumassessment.org/en/

The National Ecosystem Assessment- (NEA) is the first analysis of the UK’s natural environment in terms of the benefits it provides to society and continuing economic prosperity. Part of the Living With Environmental Change (LWEC) initiative the NEA, which commenced in mid-2009 and will be reporting in early 2011, is an inclusive process involving many government, academic, NGO and private sector institutions.
http://uknea.unep-wcmc.org/

UK Government’s Ecosystem Approach, which it is currently aiming to implement following the recommendations of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. The approach would provide a framework for looking at whole ecosystems in decision making, and for valuing the ecosystem services they provide, to ensure that we can maintain a healthy and resilient natural environment now and for future generations.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/policy/natural-environ/eco-actionplan.htm

Living With Environmental Change: a partnership spanning research councils, government and business. The programme connects natural, engineering, economic, social, medical, cultural, arts, and humanities researchers with policy makers, business, the public, and other key stakeholders. It aims to help ensure the UK provides international leadership and solutions to the challenges faced during this crucial period, and provide the knowledge and tools to make informed choices about the future.
http://www.lwec.org.uk/  

UK Government’s Foresight Programme - aims to bridge the gap in policy making between the short and the long term.
www.foresight.gov.uk  

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB): a major international initiative to draw attention to the global economic benefits of biodiversity, to highlight the growing costs of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, and to draw together expertise from the fields of science, economics and policy to enable practical actions moving forward. Led by Pavan Sukhdev of the Deutsche Bank and sponsored by UNEP, the EC and Defra, among others.
http://www.teebweb.org/