A new valuation school: Integrating diverse values of nature in resource and land use decisions

We are increasingly confronted with severe social and economic impacts of environmental degradation all over
the world. From a valuation perspective, environmental problems and conflicts originate from trade-offs
between values. The urgency and importance to integrate nature's diverse values in decisions and actions stand
out more than ever. Valuation, in its broad sense of ‘assigning importance’, is inherently part of most decisions on natural
resource and land use. Scholars from different traditions -while moving from heuristic interdisciplinary debate
to applied transdisciplinary science- now acknowledge the need for combining multiple disciplines and methods
to represent the diverse set of values of nature. This growing group of scientists and practitioners share the
ambition to explore how combinations of ecological, socio-cultural and economic valuation tools can support
real-life resource and land use decision-making.
The current sustainability challenges and the ineffectiveness of single-value approaches to offer relief
demonstrate that continuing along a single path is no option. We advocate for the adherence of a plural
valuation culture and its establishment as a common practice, by contesting and complementing ineffective and
discriminatory single-value approaches. In policy and decision contexts with a willingness to improve
sustainability, integrated valuation approaches can be blended in existing processes, whereas in contexts of
power asymmetries or environmental conflicts, integrated valuation can promote the inclusion of diverse values
through action research and support the struggle for social and environmental justice.
The special issue and this editorial synthesis paper bring together lessons from pioneer case studies and
research papers, synthesizing main challenges and setting out priorities for the years to come for the field of
integrated valuation.