I don’t know how you feel about ‘valuing nature’…but its undeniable that the latest UK natural capital accounts contain some fascinating evidence .
- People are spending more and more time in outdoor recreation
…and the most time spent is in urban areas. In the UK, around 11 billion hours were spent in the natural environment in 2017.
5.6 million hours were spent in outdoor urban areas in 2017, though spend is decreasing which may mean people are selecting cheaper activities.
- Living near green and blue spaces boosts property value…
Living within 500 metres of publicly accessible green and blue spaces added on average £2,800 to property prices in urban areas.
In 2016 the recreational benefit of living within 500 metres of green or blue space was estimated to be worth £68.6 billion, while the aesthetic benefit was valued at £9.4 billion.
- Urban woodland has huge advantages for air quality and urban cooling…
The report says that a rise in one percentage point of woodland relative to the urban area can lead to an overall saving in labour productivity by at least £9.3 million. Other habitats contribute.
Air pollutant removal leads to avoided health costs with healthcare savings of £1.3 billion.
Urban cooling – principally through labour productivity – avoided costs of £248 million during 2017.
So the question is…how do those involved in nature conservation, public engagement and healthcare leverage investment that can be offset by the huge avoided costs nature provides?