Training Course on Biodiversity and Natural Capital Accounting for Environmental Economists

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Natural Capital, Ecosystem Services, and Biodiversity

ü  Defining natural capital: renewable and non-renewable natural assets

ü  Understanding ecosystem services: provisioning, regulating, cultural, supporting

ü  The importance of biodiversity for ecosystem health and human well-being

ü  The global biodiversity crisis and its economic implications

ü  Why integrate nature into economic decision-making?

ü  Practical Session: Brainstorming examples of different ecosystem services provided by a local natural area (e.g., a forest, a river).

Module 2: The System of Environmental-Economic Accounts (SEEA)

ü  Overview of the SEEA Central Framework: integrated accounting for environment and economy

ü  Physical accounts (e.g., land, water, energy, emissions)

ü  Monetary accounts (e.g., environmental protection expenditures, environmental taxes)

ü  Ecosystem accounts (SEEA Ecosystem Accounting - SEEA EA)

ü  Application of SEEA at national and sub-national levels

ü  Practical Session: Reviewing a simplified national environmental-economic account and interpreting its key indicators.

Module 3: Corporate Natural Capital Accounting

ü  The business case for corporate natural capital accounting (CNCA)

ü  Methodologies for CNCA: Natural Capital Protocol, WEF Natural Capital Coalition

ü  Identifying dependencies and impacts on natural capital across the value chain

ü  Measuring natural capital assets and flows at the corporate level

ü  Integrating CNCA into corporate sustainability reporting

ü  Practical Session: Mapping the natural capital dependencies and impacts for a hypothetical food and beverage company.

Module 4: Methodologies for Biodiversity Assessment and Valuation

ü  Introduction to biodiversity metrics and indicators (e.g., species richness, habitat extent)

ü  Ecological assessment methods for biodiversity impact

ü  Economic valuation of biodiversity: direct use, indirect use, option, existence values

ü  Stated preference methods (e.g., contingent valuation, choice experiments)

ü  Revealed preference methods (e.g., travel cost, hedonic pricing)

ü  Practical Session: Discussing the challenges of economically valuing a specific biodiversity asset (e.g., a rare animal species).

Module 5: Valuing Ecosystem Services

ü  Economic valuation techniques for specific ecosystem services

ü  Valuation of carbon sequestration and climate regulation

ü  Valuing water purification and supply services

ü  Valuing pollination services and soil fertility

ü  Valuing recreational and cultural ecosystem services

ü  Practical Session: Applying a simple benefit transfer method to estimate the recreational value of a local park.

Module 6: Nature-Related Financial Risks and Opportunities (TNFD)

ü  Introduction to the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)

ü  Understanding nature-related risks: physical, transition, systemic

ü  Identifying nature-related opportunities: nature-positive innovation, sustainable land use

ü  LEAP approach for TNFD: Locate, Evaluate, Assess, Prepare

ü  Integrating nature-related risks and opportunities into financial analysis

ü  Practical Session: Identifying potential nature-related financial risks and opportunities for a company in the agriculture sector.

Module 7: Integrating Natural Capital into Economic Appraisal

ü  Incorporating natural capital values into cost-benefit analysis (CBA)

ü  Adjusting traditional economic indicators for environmental degradation

ü  Environmental impact assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) with a natural capital lens

ü  Valuing non-market goods and services in project appraisal

ü  Challenges of monetization and non-monetary assessment

ü  Practical Session: Performing a simplified cost-benefit analysis for an environmental conservation project, including non-market values.

Module 8: Developing Natural Capital Accounts for Specific Contexts

ü  Case studies of national natural capital accounts (e.g., UK, Netherlands)

ü  Developing regional or ecosystem-specific natural capital accounts

ü  Accounting for specific natural assets: forests, wetlands, marine areas

ü  Data sources and challenges in compiling natural capital accounts

ü  Using natural capital accounts for policy scenario analysis

ü  Practical Session: Outlining the key steps and data requirements for developing a natural capital account for a local watershed.

Module 9: Natural Capital in Policy and Investment Decisions

ü  Informing environmental policy with natural capital data

ü  Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes design and implementation

ü  Green fiscal reforms and nature-positive incentives

ü  Integrating natural capital into national development planning

ü  Investor decision-making and natural capital-focused investments

ü  Practical Session: Discussing how natural capital accounting data could inform a government's decision on land use planning.

Module 10: Emerging Nature-Related Disclosure Standards and the Future

ü  The role of TNFD in shaping future nature-related disclosures

ü  Convergence of biodiversity accounting with climate and other ESG reporting

ü  Data challenges and technological solutions for nature accounting

ü  The 'nature-positive' movement and its implications for business and economy

ü  Future research and policy directions in natural capital accounting

ü  Practical Session: Discussing the potential challenges and opportunities that TNFD reporting might present for companies.

About Our Trainers

The training will be delivered by a team of highly experienced Environmental Economists, Natural Capital Accounting Specialists, Biodiversity Experts, and Sustainability Consultants with extensive backgrounds in measuring, valuing, and integrating nature's contributions into economic decision-making across various sectors and geographies. Our trainers bring a wealth of practical strategies, hands-on experience with valuation methods and accounting frameworks, and deep insights into navigating the complexities of nature-related risks and opportunities. Their expertise ensures that participants gain cutting-edge knowledge and actionable skills to champion nature-positive economic development.

Quality Statement

We are committed to delivering high-quality, practical, and relevant training programs that empower professionals to excel in their roles and contribute significantly to the success of their organizations. Our courses are continually updated to reflect the latest industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices.

Admission Criteria

ü  Participants should be reasonably proficient in English. 

ü  Applicants must live up to Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training admission criteria.

Terms and Conditions

1. Discounts: Organizations sponsoring Four Participants will have the 5th attend Free
2. What is catered for by the Course Fees: Fees cater for all requirements for the training – Learning materials, Lunches, Teas, Snacks and Certification. All participants will additionally cater for their travel and accommodation expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.
3. Certificate Awarded: Participants are awarded Certificates of Participation at the end of the training.
4. The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.
5. Approval of Course: Our Programs are NITA Approved. Participating organizations can therefore claim reimbursement on fees paid in accordance with NITA Rules.

Booking for Training

Simply send an email to the Training Officer on training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com and we will send you a registration form. We advise you to book early to avoid missing a seat to this training.

Or call us on +254720272325 / +254737296202

Payment Options

We provide 3 payment options, choose one for your convenience, and kindly make payments at least 5 days before the Training start date to reserve your seat:

1. Groups of 5 People and Above – Cheque Payments to: Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training Limited should be paid in advance, 5 days to the training.
2. Invoice: We can send a bill directly to you or your company.
3. Deposit directly into Bank Account (Account details provided upon request)

Cancellation Policy

1. Payment for all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.
2. Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.
3. No refunds will be made 14 days or less before the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training course at a later date or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Tailor Made Courses

This training course can also be customized for your institution upon request for a minimum of 5 participants. You can have it conducted at our Training Centre or at a convenient location.

For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254720272325 / +254737296202 or Email training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com

Accommodation and Airport Transfer

Accommodation and Airport Transfer is arranged upon request and at extra cost. For reservations contact the Training Officer on Email: training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com or on Tel: +254720272325 / +254737296202