Concept
Earth Economics is a 501(c)(3) non-profit formally established in 2006 and now headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, United States. The organization uses natural capital valuation to help decision makers and local stakeholders understand the value of natural capital assets. By identifying, monetizing, and valuing natural capital and ecosystem services. Earth Economics primary focus is to help communities and organizations make investment and policy decisions. The organization has a staff of economists and analysts, and long-standing collaborative partnerships with ecological economics founding leaders including Herman Daly, Robert Costanza and others. Earth Economics' current mission states, "We quantify and value the benefits nature provides. Our work drives effective decisions and systemic change through a combination of education, natural capital analysis, and policy recommendations." Earth Economics was one of the earliest pioneering global consultancies applying ecological economics concepts and methods for management of urban and technosphere impact assessment, ecosystem services, natural capital and integrated multiple capitals, green infrastructure investment, net present value with zero discount rates for distributional social equity adjustments, as well as other methods for comprehensive sustainability accounting and biodiversity finance. Earth Economics offers "a pragmatic, collaborative approach to help organizations make sound investment and policy decisions that mitigate risk, add value, and build resilience by taking nature into account." The organization currently focuses on the global and regional priorities of working lands, freshwater, oceans, forests, and communities. Earth Economics offers five types of services: Workshops & Trainings: Earth Economics offers hands-on workshops, trainings, and presentations that aim to raise awareness about ecological economics concepts and cost-effective solutions that build resilience, biodiversity, and equity.