Featured Projects
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Global GEP
The Global GEP Project quantifies and aggregates the value of ecosystem services into a single monetary metric to complement GDP, enabling governments and institutions to integrate nature into economic decision-making, planning, and performance evaluation
Nature Transition Support Programme (NTSP): Ecosystem–Economy Modeling and Policy Applications (Global)
This project integrates ecosystem service modeling with macroeconomic analysis to quantify how nature underpins economic performance and informs policy and investment decisions across multiple countries.
The effects of extreme heat events on mental health in vulnerable urban communities: toward evidence-based policy and practice (London, U.K.)
This project examines how extreme heat affects mental health in vulnerable urban communities in London and explores how urban green space may help reduce those impacts.
Investing in Natural Capital for Sustainable Mining in Mongolia
This project will incorporate natural capital assessments and valuations into the planning and operation of mining projects in Mongolia.
Using Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) in Payments for Ecosystem Services (Beijing, China)
NatCap has contributed to the design of this project, which uses gross ecosystem product (GEP) accounting to guide payments for ecosystem services in the greater Beijing area.
Innovations in Climate Resilient Coastal Zones - Overview (The Caribbean)
Working across the Caribbean to incorporate diverse values of ecosystems into natural capital assessments.
Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) (China)
NatCap is working with our partners at the Chinese Academy of Sciences to develop scientifically rigorous GEP measures for use in pilots around the country.
Mapping small dams and reservoirs with Earth Observation and computer vision (Global)
We are developing an open-source computer vision algorithm to detect the location of dams from high resolution satellite imagery, enabling us to map the location of dams worldwide
PRO-Agua: Resilience and sustainable planning for water in the Amazon, Madre de Dios, Acre, Pando
Using integrated watershed management for resilient development in Latin America.
Climate Adaptation & Resilience (San Francisco Bay, CA, USA)
Exploring how nature-based solutions might be added to sea-level rise adaptation strategies in the Bay Area.
Integrated Coastal Zone Management (Belize)
The Belizean government used InVEST to engage stakeholders and devise a plan that improves coastal protection, tourism and lobster revenues, while also reducing human impacts on coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds.
Nature Positive, People Positive: Scaling Natural Capital Approaches for Impact (Global)
NatCap is coordinating an effort across 4+ international financial institutions and 6 countries to accelerate and mainstream financing of natural capital-based policies and plans, to improve outcomes for nature and people.
People, Planet, Prosperity: Mainstreaming Nature in Policy & Investment Decisions (Global)
Co-developing natural capital approaches that inform policy and investment decisions for development and conservation goals in pilot countries around the world.
Nature and Health: How does lifestyle and environment affect health and wellness? (Monroeville, PA)
Life in urban areas poses several health and sustainability challenges that can be mitigated by access to and development of green and blue spaces in urban areas.
Biodiversity, Ecosystems, and Landscape Assessment (BELA) Initiative (Global)
The BELA initiative integrated natural capital and ecosystem service approaches into the World Bank’s operations – from inception to planning to implementation. The BELA work in 11 countries influenced nearly a billion dollars in development finance.
Food Forests: From Vacant Lands to Vibrant Lands (San Antonio, TX, USA)
Working with the Food Policy Council and the San Antonio Office of Innovation to explore the multiple benefits that could flow to people from further investment in vacant lands in the city.
Strong Coasts: Reducing Climate Risks with Equitable, Nature-Based Solutions (Florida, USA)
NatCap is part of the five-year NSF CoPE (Coastlines & People) “Strong Coasts” project, led by the University of South Florida.
Natural Capital Index/Nature's Frontiers (Global)
Quantifying potential improvements in economic returns, greenhouse gas emissions, water quality, and biodiversity through more efficient and effective land use change for countries globally. Project partners: NatCap at Stanford & UMN, and the World Bank.
Financing Natural Capital in Colombia
NatCap mapped the mangroves, sea grasses, coral reefs, and forests in the Gulf of Morrosquillo and quantified their benefits to people
Modeling ecosystem services for sustainable urban integration and planning (China’s Greater Bay Area)
We worked with the World Bank, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and local planners in Guangzhou to assess the value of natural capital in two different contexts: the Haizhu wetland and the New Knowledge City.
Earth Observations and Sustainable Cashmere (Gobi Desert, Mongolia)
To help create a more sustainable and resilient rangeland system, a diverse group of interests is innovating together as the Sustainable Cashmere Project.