Who should value nature? Interview with Yoni Rivas

Is valuing nature as natural capital the way to reduce environmental degradation or a dangerous distraction that will commodify the environment? Alongside debates on if we should value natural capital is another question that is very rarely asked: who should value nature?

This exclusive interview with Yoni Rivas is from the report Who should value nature? by Dario Kenner (Why Green Economy?) published by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) in December 2014. The report explores how different stakeholders value the environment (ranging from consultancies firms, academics, conservation NGOs to indigenous peoples) and the challenge of identifying who should be involved in valuation in developing countries. Read the report © ICAEW 2014

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Interview with Yoni Rivas, General Secretary, Movement of Unified Farmers of Aguán (MUCA)

1) Explain why you think nature should/should not be valued?

The added value of natural wealth should benefit local communities and indigenous people. If it doesn’t then it should not happen because it would be a land grab.

2) Who should/should not be involved in valuation?

Farmers and indigenous peoples should be involved in valuation. Private banks, companies and international organisations like the World Bank and IMF should not.

Find out more: Movimiento Unificado Campesino del Aguán (MUCA) (Spanish link)

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Do you agree with Yoni Rivas? See what others think by clicking on the interviews below and join the debate by adding your comments.