Economics as if life mattered: Can we shape economic policy to save species?

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Wildlife conservation projects in every country are subject to constraints of global economic policy. Historically, these policies have fostered exploitation over protection of biodiversity. Economic factors often stand in the way of effective conservation, contribute to the failure to achieve long-term results and, ultimately, are behind the ‘agony of choice’ we face in trying to save species from extinction. Public awareness is growing of the need to restructure the economy. Numerous visions of a new economy, with the interests of people and the planet at the centre, are beginning to emerge. Instead of continuing to operate within the unfavourable strictures of the current global economic system, conservation organizations now have the opportunity to get involved in shaping future policy.

To bring wildlife concerns into this discussion, we will focus on ways in which the current global market economy hinders conservation; identifying damaging structures, practices and policies. We will examine current economic incentives used in conservation—such as assigning market values to species and sustainable use—raising crucial questions about their effectiveness. We will also explore possibilities for linking up with the broader movement for economic change and begin to answer to the important question: If conservation of species was a guiding principle, what would our economy look like?

Asbtracts and presentations

Economics as if life mattered abstracts (353 KB)

Session I: The economy as a driver of extinction

Economic policy reform for wildlife and species conservation. Alejandro Nadal, Centre for Economic Studies, El Colegio de Mexico, Mexico (645 KB)

Limitations and benefits of economic incentives in conserving wildlife. Mark Jones, Humane Society International, UK (0.9 MB)

Session II: The use of market and non-market mechanisms in Conservation

Trade bans and their role in conservation. Robert Alexander, Sweet Briar College, USA (5.0 MB)

Business and Biodiversity partnerships: greenwashing or genuinely sustainable solutions? Pippa Howard (Fauna & Flora International, UK) (11.6 MB)

Session III: Re-envisioning the economy with wildlife concerns as a guiding principle

Footprints of food. Richard Kock, Royal Veterinary College, UK (3.4 MB)

Session IV: The bigger picture: solutions across sectors

There is no wealth but life: putting natural capital ahead of financial profit. Molly Scott Cato, Roehampton University, UK (1.6 MB)

The good, the bad and the ugly - EU subsidies and their biodiversity impacts. Ariel Brunner and Bruna Campos, Birdlife Europe, Belgium (1.5 MB)

Economic reform movements for biodiversity conservation. Brian Czech, Centre for the Advancement of the Steady State, USA (1.5 MB)

Updated programme Economics as if Life Mattered Programme (393 KB)

Enquiries: Megan Orpwood-Russell, E-mail: megan.orpwood-russell@zsl.org tel: +44 (0)20 7449 6227.

Photo: Lindsay Kramer, USWFS

Present a poster at the symposium

Posters relating to the symposium topic will be displayed throughout the meeting. Posters will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis and abstracts of no more than 250 words outlining poster content should be emailed to megan.orpwood-russell@zsl.org by 12 May 2012 for consideration. Successful poster proposals will notified by 13 May 2012.

To submit a poster, please complete the following form Call for Poster Proposals (34 KB)

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