ABSTRACT
“Natural capital” refers to assets that occur in nature and can be used for economic production or consumption. Naturally occurring assets provide use-benefits through the provision of energy and raw materials that are used, or that one day could be used, in economic activity. They are subject to depletion through human use. Natural assets fall into four categories: mineral and energy resources, soil resources, water resources and biological resources. In a broad sense, mainstreaming of natural capital into development policy is designed to help decision makers at all levels integrate ecosystems and their services into their decision making. Mainstreaming facilitates policy to recognize the links between nature and development, considering the environmental and economic trade-offs associated with development measures and incorporating ecosystem services-related opportunities and risks into the implementation of strategies. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
