Nature is a blind spot in economics that we ignore at our peril

A fundamental change in how we think about and approach economics is needed if we are to reverse biodiversity loss and protect and enhance our prosperity, an independent, global review on the Economics of Biodiversity, published in February 2021, said.

Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta’s review presents the first comprehensive economic framework of its kind for biodiversity. It calls for urgent and transformative change in how we think, act and measure economic success to protect and enhance our prosperity and the natural world.

Grounded in a deep understanding of ecosystem processes and how they are affected by economic activity, the new framework sets out the ways in which we should account for nature in economics and decision-making.

“Our economies, livelihoods and well-being all depend on our most precious asset: Nature.”

The Review argues that significant declines in biodiversity are undermining the productivity, resilience and adaptability of nature. This in turn has put our economies, livelihoods and well-being at risk. The Review makes clear that urgent and transformative action taken now would be significantly less costly than delay.

The Dasgupta Review is available as a full report, abridged version and key headline messages.

Read the full report

Read the abridged version

Read the key headline messages