The emotional component of deliberative valuation of ecosystem services: the case of corporate organizations
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: School of Earth and Environment
Abstract
Integrating economic and ecological sciences into operational decision support systems is a key step for global
conservation and sustainability (MEA, 2005). Ecosystem services valuation (ESV) seeks to combine these two
disciplines through valuation of environmental assets. Though research continues to emerge in the field of
ESV there is a growing move to ensure that 'value' is not solely understood in terms of financial value. This
proposal aims to examine how emotions affect the valuation of ecosystem services.
Zajonic (1980) observed emotions inform our value judgments that lead to approach or avoidance decisions.
Previous emotions literature note a relationship between the role of emotion and pro-environmental behaviour
(Stearns and Stearns, 1985; Wright 2012; Russell and Friedrich, 2015; Lord 1994; Fineman and Sturdy 1999.)
In addition, Kotchena (2000) note pro-environmental attitudes result in higher estimates of mean willingness to
pay in relation to environmental assets. Thus it is proposed that emotions affect pro-environmental behaviour
which in turn affect valuation of ecosystem services.
AIMS AND RESEARCH QUESTION
The aim of this research is to understand the emotional component of deliberative valuation processes in
relation to ESV in an organisation based on the principle of shared social values. (Kenter et al. 2015).
Research question: How are value judgements affected by emotion in relation to ESV in an organisation e.g.
a corporation or public body?
METHODOLOGY
In the first year of this research the relationship between emotions and traditional economic valuation will be
explored and a framework proposed. This exercise will investigate the relationship between emotions theory
and traditional economic valuation e.g. stated preference to identify similar and different elements of value
between the two disciplines. Once understood it will be possible to develop a valuation framework which
incorporates emotional values and go on to consider how valuation metrics incorporating emotions theory may
be used to affect decision making in relation to ESV. Finally, it is proposed to analyse whether capturing the
emotion element of value makes monetary assessments of ecosystem services value more or less compelling
in a business context. During the second year primary qualitative data will be collected as part of the research
(e.g. in-depth interviews with key change agents and decision makers in at least three organisations with an
ecosystem service valuation component) to test the proposed framework and potential impact. It is intended to
utilise industry contacts that have be developed through my practitioner roles over the last 10 years. During the
third year the work will be analysed and compiled into a thesis. Where appropriate papers will be produced at
the end of year 1 and year 3.
conservation and sustainability (MEA, 2005). Ecosystem services valuation (ESV) seeks to combine these two
disciplines through valuation of environmental assets. Though research continues to emerge in the field of
ESV there is a growing move to ensure that 'value' is not solely understood in terms of financial value. This
proposal aims to examine how emotions affect the valuation of ecosystem services.
Zajonic (1980) observed emotions inform our value judgments that lead to approach or avoidance decisions.
Previous emotions literature note a relationship between the role of emotion and pro-environmental behaviour
(Stearns and Stearns, 1985; Wright 2012; Russell and Friedrich, 2015; Lord 1994; Fineman and Sturdy 1999.)
In addition, Kotchena (2000) note pro-environmental attitudes result in higher estimates of mean willingness to
pay in relation to environmental assets. Thus it is proposed that emotions affect pro-environmental behaviour
which in turn affect valuation of ecosystem services.
AIMS AND RESEARCH QUESTION
The aim of this research is to understand the emotional component of deliberative valuation processes in
relation to ESV in an organisation based on the principle of shared social values. (Kenter et al. 2015).
Research question: How are value judgements affected by emotion in relation to ESV in an organisation e.g.
a corporation or public body?
METHODOLOGY
In the first year of this research the relationship between emotions and traditional economic valuation will be
explored and a framework proposed. This exercise will investigate the relationship between emotions theory
and traditional economic valuation e.g. stated preference to identify similar and different elements of value
between the two disciplines. Once understood it will be possible to develop a valuation framework which
incorporates emotional values and go on to consider how valuation metrics incorporating emotions theory may
be used to affect decision making in relation to ESV. Finally, it is proposed to analyse whether capturing the
emotion element of value makes monetary assessments of ecosystem services value more or less compelling
in a business context. During the second year primary qualitative data will be collected as part of the research
(e.g. in-depth interviews with key change agents and decision makers in at least three organisations with an
ecosystem service valuation component) to test the proposed framework and potential impact. It is intended to
utilise industry contacts that have be developed through my practitioner roles over the last 10 years. During the
third year the work will be analysed and compiled into a thesis. Where appropriate papers will be produced at
the end of year 1 and year 3.
| Description | I have shared findings in January 2019 with participants from my first qualitative study. In some cases these have been circulated amongst a wider audience to inform and potentially encourage change. In December 2019, the Natural Capital Coalition used the co-created database of case study organisations to update their organisational engagement strategy. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Construction,Education,Energy,Environment,Financial Services, and Management Consultancy,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Government, Democracy and Justice,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Retail,Transport |
| Impact Types | Societal,Policy & public services |
| Description | International Union for Conservation and Nature |
| Organisation | IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | As part of developing ongoing relationships, I worked together with an IUCN partner to develop an organisational change framework, with a focus on the role of the change agent. This helped the We Value Nature Horizon 2020 Project to establish a framework to assess the measure of successful change in organisations. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Through co-creating this framework, IUCN provided access and introduction to a number of key participants or partners in future research. |
| Impact | This partnerhip is ongoing and this outcomes are limited. Through IUCN introductions I attended the Annual academic review board meeting of the We Value Nature programme. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Natural Capital Coalition |
| Organisation | Natural Capital Coalition |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Through my Doctoral research this year I have developed a relationship with the Natural Capital Coalition. As part of this relationship we co-created a project together to build a database of case studies of organisations using natural capital and ecosystem service approaches. Together we (myself and one member of the NCC team) agreed the format and content of the database. This was then taken to the NCC board for feedback. We then divided the work, such that myself and a member of the natural capital coalition worked together equally to complete the database. Both myself and the Natural Capital Coalition have access to the database and may use the content for both research and industry purposes. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Through my Doctoral research this year I have developed a relationship with the Natural Capital Coalition. As part of this relationship we co-created a project together to build a database of case studies of organisations using natural capital and ecosystem service approaches. Together we (myself and one member of the NCC team) agreed the format and content of the database. This was then taken to the NCC board for feedback. We then divided the work, such that myself and a member of the natural capital coalition worked together equally to complete the database. Both myself and the Natural Capital Coalition have access to the database and may use the content for both research and industry purposes. |
| Impact | A draft database which is live with additional detail being added. |
| Start Year | 2019 |