Coastal Capital: Economic Valuation of Coastal Ecosystems in the Caribbean

The Coastal Capital series was launched in 2005 and aims to provide decision-makers in the Caribbean with information and tools that link the health of coastal ecosystems—including coral reefs, mangroves, and beaches with the attainment of economic and social goals. WRI and its local partners have conducted economic valuation studies of coral reefs and mangroves at national and subnational levels in five countries: Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Belize, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. We are using the results to identify and build support for policies that help to ensure healthy coastal ecosystems and sustainable economies.

Guidebook For Valuation Practitioners

Building on these studies, WRI has worked with a broad partnership to develop a guidebook called Coastal Capital: Ecosystem Valuation for Decision Making in the Caribbean. This guidebook is intended for economic valuation practitioners—both economists and non-economists—who would like to conduct coastal ecosystem valuation to achieve influence and inform real-world decisions. The guidebook leads practitioners through the scoping, analysis, and outreach phases of a valuation effort, using best practices gleaned from our recent review of previous coastal valuation studies in the region. Our goal is for this guidebook to help future coastal valuations in the Caribbean to be more influential in policy, management and investment decisions—ultimately helping to safeguard these resources for generations to come.

Watch our webinar about the guidebook (hosted by the Marine Ecosystem Services Partnership).