ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on the intricate interplays between biodiversity, economic systems and human well-being. It explains how biodiversity can insure against ecological scarcities and environmental risks. The book also explains how biodiversity contributes to the economic output of the forestry sector, how forestry activities can have a negative impact upon biodiversity and how key interventions could safeguard both the flow of conventional economic benefits from forestry activities as well as contribute to conservation efforts. It discusses the new role that the private sector is asked to play in conservation efforts within the Green Economy. The book also focuses on whether market-based instruments are indeed appropriate biodiversity conservation mechanisms, able to mobilize the conservation funding requested and to ultimately protect biodiversity. It also talks about biodiversity offsetting and product certification and payment for ecosystem services (PES).
