New research estimates financial value of natural assets in Midlands – at least £330 billion

Date posted: November 11, 2021
Share
A tree overhanging a lake with green grass all around

Latest research from the Midlands Engine Observatory estimates that our region’s air and 1,500km of rivers and canals, landscapes, forestry and minerals are worth at least £330 billion.

The figure announced today (11 November) at the Campaign for COP26 event in Nottingham, comes from the Observatory’s new Natural Capital Monitor which places – for the first time – a monetary value on our region’s natural assets.

Our natural environment provides incredible benefits to our region’s communities and businesses, including clean air, water, carbon capture and other necessities.

But, up to now, it has never been possible to assign a financial value to those advantages.

Drawing on work conducted by Midlands Engine partners, including the Environment Agency, Natural England, Woodland Trust and the National Trust, the Monitor includes a wide range of data sources to support our natural world.

It will be an invaluable resource for policymakers, enabling them to check on the health and geographical coverage of our natural sites such as forests and waterways, and to play a more active role in protecting them.

The Natural Capital Monitor is part of our Ten Point Plan for Green Growth in the Midlands Engine and has been created to support our partnership to measure our collective impact on nature’s recovery and our region’s blue-green places – two important action areas of the plan.

The Monitor also looks at the protected habitats across our region, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest and National Parks.

Director of the Midlands Engine Observatory, Professor Delma Dwight said:

By identifying and capturing the diversity of assets of places via a comprehensive evidence base across our region, we can establish the full impact and value of our natural environment – along with the total value of all the benefits or services provided to a place by its natural capital.

The Observatory is an alliance of leading academic researchers, and economic and industry experts, working together to deliver the regionally focused research and analysis for every part of the Midlands.

For the latest from our region, subscribe to Midlands Matters, the official newsletter of the Midlands Engine.
Share

Keep Updated

Latest News & Events

Screenshot 2023-09-27 at 15.05.36

Green Growth

Sep 27 2023

New report raises concerns about the geographic reach of net zero business support, with the Midlands having a mixed set of results.

A new report, published this week has raised concerns about the accessibility and reach of net zero business support schemes available in England.

Read more
Innovative Leicestershire[63]

Health

Sep 26 2023

Innovative Leicestershire – A Life Sciences Success Story

A Charnwood Campus Cluster event in partnership with Medilink Midlands, part of a series of events to celebrate the achievements and support the growth of the life science organisations clustered around Charnwood Campus Science, Innovation and Technology Park.

Read more
Derby University Institute of Technology

Digital

Sep 19 2023

First East Midlands Institute of Technology site opens in Derby

A new state-of-the-art facility for computing students, which will support the teaching of a range of digital and engineering subjects, such as computer games animation, design engineering and mechatronics has opened at the University of Derby’s Enterprise Centre.

Read more
An electric vehicle charging

Subscribe to Midlands Matters, the newsletter of the Midlands Engine