Our team was commissioned by The Mersey Forest to provide a valuation of the benefits created by its programme of investments. The Mersey Forest is one of England’s 12 community forests and has invested £7m of European money in woodland creation and improvement. We were asked to measure the return on this investment.
We developed a framework capturing the range of benefits that woodlands can support, from the provision of recreational space to the absorption of carbon. Using environmental economics techniques we then developed a valuation model that allowed us to attach monetary values to these benefits.
This innovative work has been used by The Mersey Forest to demonstrate to external partners and funders the value that is being created by their work. We have since deployed our model in work for clients around the country. In a peer review for DEFRA of a range of studies our work was highlighted as using the most robust approach.
An innovative piece of analysis to measure the value of the benefits supported by the Mersey Forest. Our work captured and monetised a range of social, economic and environmental benefits using environmental economics techniques. The work was cited by DEFRA as best in class.
The Mersey Forest