Mavra Stithou

The value of scientific information on climate change: a choice experiment on Rokua esker, Finland

This article presents an application of the choice experiment method in order to provide estimates of economic values generated by water quantity improvements in the environment. More importantly, this is the first choice experiment study valuing scientific information and in particular scientific information on climate change. The case study of interest is Rokua in Northern Finland, a groundwater dependent ecosystem very sensitive to climate change and natural variability. The study deals with the uncertainty about the actual dynamics of the system and the effect of future climate change by exploring whether the public values sustained provision of resources for scientific research to better understand long-term environmental changes in Rokua. Data are analysed using a nested multinomial logit and an error component model. Evidence from this study suggests that individuals are willing to pay in order to assure scientific research so as to better understand long-term environmental changes. As a result, policy should consider investing in and supporting related research. Other aspects of water management policy valued by the public are water quantity, recreation, and total land income.

A Choice Experiment for the Estimation of the Economic Value of the River Ecosystem: Management Policies for Sustaining NATURA (2000) species and the Coastal Environment

The valuation method of Choice Experiments (CEs) is often used for the economic valuation of natural areas with several nonmarket features that are either degraded or under-degradation. This method can be used to obtain estimates of Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) for the sustainability of several features of natural ecosystems. In particular, the CE method is a survey-based nonmarket valuation technique which can be used to estimate the total economic value of an environmental good in the form of a stock or a service flow as well as the value of its component attributes. Particularly, the bundle of improvements that have been valued in the Asopos water catchment and presented in this chapter is a mixture of use and non-use values. These include: (a) environmental conditions described in terms of ecological status in all water bodies of the catchment, (b) impact on the local economy in terms of tourism/recreation, demand for local production and cost of living for households and (c) impact on human health described as availability of water with a quality and quantity sufficient for satisfying different local uses. It should be also noted that the survey has been administered in samples of respondents from both the Asopos catchment area (more rural) and the Athens area (more urban), since there is the belief that residents of the Asopos River Basin (RB) are not the only ones who would benefit from the environmental improvements taking place in Asopos area. From a broader policy perspective the goal is to derive estimates of values to inform a cost-effectiveness analysis for the determination of the optimal program of measures as suggested in the content of Article 11 of Water Framework Directive (WFD).

The Contribution of Non-Use Values to Inform the Management of Groundwater Systems: The Rokua Esker, Northern Finland

Rokua in Northern Finland is a groundwater dependent ecosystem very sensitive to climate change and natural variability. As such, the water level of most of the lakes is a function of the level of the groundwater table of the esker which is naturally recharged. The management of an ecosystem like this is very challenging and complex because of the many associated use and non-use values. The scope of this study is to expose, apart from the use values, the nonmarket values attached to the ecosystems services of groundwater systems and reveal their importance. In particular, this chapter illustrates the contribution of stated preference methods to orient policy making and presents results from an application of a choice experiment and contingent valuation method regarding ground water quantity. General public�s elicited values highlight the importance of water management policy which contributes to the sustainability of groundwater dependent ecosystems. Importantly results highlight the need to broaden the policy options beyond the consideration of market and use values of groundwater systems. Instead these systems should be considered as part of the broader ecosystems and broader services considered in decision making.

The Economic Characterization of Asopos River Basin

This chapter puts the emphasis on the economic characterization of Asopos River Basin (RB) in order to identify the members of the society that will bear the cost of improvements and will benefit from its implementation. Following the first step of Directive’s implementation, requiring the economic characterization of the river basin, there is the need to evaluate the economic significance of water in the region, identify key economic drivers influencing pressures and water uses, examine how these economic drivers will evolve over time and will influence pressures and how will water demand and supply evolve over time. Hence, an important objective of this chapter is to identify the economic significance of water uses, focusing on Asopos experience, considering primarily industrial and agricultural uses since residential and tourist related uses are the focus of Chap. 4.

A Value Transfer Approach for the Economic Estimation of Industrial Pollution: Policy Recommendations

In order to make possible an economic estimation of industrial pollution, which is one of the main polluters in the Asopos River Basin (RB), another method that of Benefit Transfer (BT) was applied and is presented in this chapter. The fact that gathering primary site-specific data is costly and time-consuming has made BT a more and more popular alternative for the valuation of ecosystem goods and services and it offers a considerable potential in the light of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) implementation. In a broad sense, BT method uses existing economic value estimates from one location to another similar site in another location. In this context, the objective of this chapter is to present an empirical application of the methodology of transfer value. A number of valuation studies in the European territory that have explored the impact of industry on water degradation are reviewed in order for a suitable ‘match’ to be made between the Asopos RB and a suitable existing valuation study from which to source economic value information and hence perform the valuation exercise. The chapter closes with conclusions and recommendations for policy design.

Methodology for Integrated Socio-economic Assessment of Multi-use Offshore Platforms

This chapter presents the methodology employed for the Integrated Socio-Economic Assessment (MISEA) of different designs of Multi-Use Offshore Platforms (MUOPs). The methodology allows for the identification, the valuation and the assessment of the potential impacts and their magnitude. The analysis considers a number of feasible designs of MUOP investments, and the likely responses of those impacted by the investment project. The approach provides decision-makers with a valuable tool to assess whether a MUOP project increases the overall social welfare and hence should be undertaken. This is performed under alternative specifications regarding platform design, the discount rate and the stream of net benefits, if a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) is to be followed or a sensitivity analysis of selected criteria in a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) framework. The methodology can support the implementation of policies aiming at achieving a good environmental status of the EU’s marine waters and the protection of the resource base upon which marine-related economic and social activities depend.

Nonstructural Approaches to Coastal Risk Mitigations

Nonstructural coastal risk mitigation options that deal with society-centered instruments have the potential to contribute jointly to coastal settlement safety through vulnerability reduction and resilience enhancement. The paradigmatic characteristics of vulnerability reduction approaches and resilience enhancement approaches are described. Thereafter, vulnerability reduction measures associated with the use of insurance-based, land use planning-based, business recovery plan-based, communication plan-based, postflood management-based, and evacuation plan-based approaches are presented in terms of guidelines for implementation. Resiliency analysis of these approaches is conducted in parallel. This analysis leads to additional recommendations for implementing specific risk-reducing measures. The authors conclude by stressing the importance of three overarching characteristics of nonstructural mitigation options. The first element that is central to all options lies in the need to adopt approaches that mobilize stakeholders in the implementation process. The second element that is central to all nonstructural mitigation options is the fact that they increase safety through a direct reduction in the consequences of flooding. A third element that nonstructural mitigation options share is the obvious fact that they interact strongly, showing the potential to transcend the sum of their individual contributions.

Simulating Residential Water Demand and Water Pricing Issues

This chapter aims to simulate residential water demand in order to explore the importance of water for residential use. In addition, data on the water cost of supplying water in the residents of Asopos area from local distributors were collected. In order to capture the importance of water use specific parameters are examined and are used as indexes of water use. Some of these indexes are the population of the catchment, the number of households connected to the public water distribution system, m3 of water consumption per year to cover household needs etc. The chapter closes with recommendations for designing and applying a program of measures for the efficient water resources management as described by Article 11 of Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Introducing the Case Study, the Asopos River Basin in Greece

The case study area is presented in this chapter. The study area comprises the river and estuary of Asopos and the lagoon of Oropos northeast of Attica. Along the Asopos river human activities, mainly agriculture and industrial take place. Industrial and agricultural effluents pollute the river, the aquifers and the soils of the area, making it a negative example of the impacts to humans and environment that arise from non sustainable use of natural resources. The chapter starts by presenting the geographical distribution of the river system and the water bodies of the catchment. The chapter presents also a review of the related legislation that has contributed to its current situation. Then the current water status of the catchment is described, while the pressures and related impacts in the catchment are examined. Afterwards the focus is on the social and environmental functions and values of Asopos River and Oropos Lagoon. Identifying the main social, economic and environmental impacts of degradation in the area provides the background for the analysis that follows in the subsequent chapters.

Creating the Institutional Background to Support the Implementation of the Policy Manual

Following Water Framework Directive s (WFD) implementation a national water policy that provides the institutional background to achieve the goals of the suggested policy is required. Chapter 10 emphasises on the issues of water policy that should be addressed and provides reform options that could lead to the sustainable use of water resources. Efficient use of water is an important issue in Europe; however poor governance seems to hinder effectiveness of the designed policies. After a review of the Greek experience with water reforms, the state oriented regime in Greece is presented along with the legislative frame and institutions that it entails. Then institutional improvements are discussed. In particular, the institutional reforms move away from water policies that favour fragmentation and lack of coordination among the involved actors in the decision making process. These reforms also embrace and promote the growing concerns on environmental aspects and sustainable water management suggesting integrated approaches. In the suggested framework of action the transfer of competencies from the state to the utility and to other actors, induced by the WFD, makes more imperative the existence and enforcement of a legislative and administrative framework that could accelerate the co-operation among the involved parties. The chapter closes with commenting on how the case of Asopos is related to the other Greek basins that are at risk of failing to meet WFDAƒÂ¢A¯Â?½A¯Â?½s obligations.