We’ve added a range of new resources and guidance to these web pages that will help policy and decision makers put the value of the natural environment at the heart of what they do:

Adapting to Climate Change

Defra has published a supplement to our Climate Change Plan which looks at the impact climate change will have on our natural resources and the services we get from them; and seeks to stimulate debate about how we should approach adaptation to climate change in the natural environment.

• Publication of Natural Environment - Adapting to Climate Change (PDF 8 MB)

Building the evidence base

• Update on progress on the UK National Ecosystem Assessment
  Find out what the team of independent scientists and economists have achieved so far on this ground-breaking project and how you can get involved in the next phase.
• Natural England’s ecosystem services pilot projects
  Find out about Natural England’s pilot projects to apply an ecosystem approach in three areas of the English uplands.

Government’s actions to take an ecosystem approach

• Update of the Ecosystem Approach Action Plan
  Find out what Government’s been doing to apply an ecosystem approach in its work.

Help with valuing the natural environment in your work

• Value transfer guidance
  Learn how to make the most of existing valuation evidence by ‘transferring’ it to your own policy situation
• Research and case-studies
  Find out about all the latest research Defra is doing to help people to value the natural environment and apply an ecosystem approach
• Recovery, growth and the economy
  Read about the links between protecting the environment, enabling economic recovery and promoting a strong, growing economy
• The views of UK Business and the Third Sector on the value of the natural environment
  Learn about what these two different sectors think about the value of the natural environment to them and society in these independent articles.

"To secure a diverse, healthy and resilient natural environment, which provides the basis for everyone’s well-being, health and prosperity now and in the future; and where the value of the services provided by the natural environment are reflected in decision-making."

In this section:

Why is the natural environment important?

Find out why the natural environment is important to society and the economy

Why do we need to change the way we manage the natural environment?

Find out why you might want to take a different approach to the natural environment in your work and what Government is doing to change too.

What is an ecosystems approach?

Find out what an ecosystems approach is

Helping others to understand

Find key messages and facts and figures to help you to communicate the importance of the natural environment to others.

Evidence and case-studies

Find out about the science and economics  behind the issues and examples of how people have applied an ecosystems approach on the ground.

Our Public Service Agreement

Learn about Government’s Natural Environment PSA – what it is and how it is measured.