PPS 2 Natural Heritage·Page 8·1.4
Ecosystem Services and Natural Environment Value
Ecosystem services provide recognized economic and social benefits. A healthy natural environment is essential for sustained economic growth, thriving communities, and personal wellbeing, as recognized in the UK National Ecosystems Assessment and Natural Environment White Paper.
The value of Ecosystems Services is recognised in the UK National Ecosystems Assessment (UK NEA) in terms of the benefits it provides to society and economic prosperity. The RDS also recognises this when it says "the importance of the environment goes far beyond the immediate benefits it can provide". Likewise, the UK Natural Environment White Paper recognises that a healthy, properly functioning natural environment is the foundation of sustained economic growth, prospering communities and personal wellbeing. This delivers in part the principles of the European Landscape Convention which promotes landscape protection, management and planning, and European co-operation on landscape issues.
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