Dr. Samina Khalil
Associate Professor / Senior Research Economist
UNEP Policy Workshop for Strategic Decision Makers on “Economics of Biodiversity and
Ecosystem Services: Building Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services into National Policy”
September 20th ‐24th, 2014, Kings College, University of Cambridge. UK.
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) policy workshop for Strategic Decision
Makers on “Economics of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Building Biodiversity and
Ecosystem Services into National Policy”, from 20-24 September 2014, was held at Kings
College, University of Cambridge, UK. The Director of the workshop informed the participants
that UNEP had a tough job to select the right number with proper mix of interest, profile,
geographical spread and gender balance. He congratulated the 29 participants from 22 countries
including myself (Dr. Samina Khalil), on being selected among 600 applications from 88
countries. UNEP provided financial support to cover all expenses of candidates for participation
in the policy workshop.
The objectives of this international workshop were:
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to do a stock take of what is known about economics of ecosystem services.
to give participants a briefing on the main principles involved in the economic
analysis of policies for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management,
to discuss the possible tools for analysis of institutional issues in order to
successfully incorporate biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management into
national policy,
to identify the limitations of these tools and approaches.
The workshop therefore enhanced knowledge and skills of participants on the application of
economic valuation and innovative response policies and tools by using information on the
economic values of ecosystem services. It also provided a platform to allow networking among
experts, policy‐makers and practitioners who will participate in the workshop to share their
experiences and promote their partnership development. The workshop included an update on
most recent developments in the field, and was aimed at those working in policy analysis and
implementation, management and financing in developing countries. It was delivered by four
senior academics undertaking research in the field. It also provided a plenty of wonderful
opportunities to meet and interact with colleagues from across the world and to discuss
issues with course tutors. The workshop took place over the weekend leading up to the 2014
BioEcon conference.
Strategic Decision Makers in Planning, Revenue, Finance, Environment and senior decision
makers, Chief Scientists, Director General, Chief Statisticians and Experts who have been
involved in some of the key ongoing initiatives being implemented in the region, such as the
sub‐global assessments (SGAs) follow‐up programme, UNDP‐UNEP Poverty‐Environment
Initiative (PEI), GEF supported project for ecosystem services (ProEcoServ) and the TEEB
follow‐up initiative were invited to attend the workshop. Senior Government officials from
developing countries engaged in policy design in both the field of ecosystem services and
economic management were also invited to attend the training/workshop.
Key Deliverables and Outcome:
The workshop yielded the following expected results:
 Improved capacity of participants from developing countries to undertake Sub‐Global
Assessments;
 Improved capacity of participants from developing countries to deliver environmental
policies based on sound and locally developed scientific information;
 Increased the technical capacity of participants in economic valuation and accounting of
ecosystem services;
 Raised awareness on the relationships between ecosystem services and human well‐being
through outreach and dissemination activities.
Workshop Tutors:
‐ Professor Stefanie Engel (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology – ETH Zurich)
‐ Professor James Salzman (Duke University)
‐ Professor Kirk Hamilton (London School of Economics)
‐ Professor Giles Atkinson (London School of Economics)
‐ Professor Nick Hanley (University of St Andrews) – workshop coordinator
‐ Dr. Pushpam Kumar (UNEP)