To improve quality of public policies, particularly on natural resource management, a Learning Forum on “Environmental Economics for Decision Making” will be held on 25-29 June 2007 at SEARCA Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines.

The forum will look at the science and economics of climate change; clean development mechanisms; biodiversity; the opportunities and impacts of international treaties on biodiversity; and transboundary issues like haze and forest fires, marine pollution and coastal management, and watershed and payment for environmental services.

Understanding the benefits and values of environmental resources and knowing some basic tools on quantifying risks and impacts on actions affecting these resources can help executives shape policies that are favorable to sustainable management of the environment.

Marine pollution, one of the topics to be tackled, when brought to extreme, will have irreversible damage to the capacity of this planet to support human and other life.

Environmental economic valuation as a tool for policymaking and environmental planning will also be discussed. Environmental valuation sits on the assumption that individuals are willing to pay for environmental gains and, conversely, are willing to accept compensation for some environmental losses.

Environmental resources provide various values and benefits to society. For example, mountains, forests, seas are a haven of relaxation, recreation, appreciation of scenic beauty (as in sunrise or sunset) for people. They also provide immediate sources of food, such as animals and fishes. These are the direct benefits or use values. However, environmental resources also have values that are not directly tied to use. For example, thick forests maintain clean air, make climate and weather healthy to living organisms, protect people from strong winds and storms. These benefits are also relevant to environmental valuation.

Facilitating the forum are regional experts and researchers in this field, namely:

• Dr. Herminia Francisco, EEPSEA Director;
• Dr. Bui Dong The, EEPSEA Senior Economist;
• Dr. Roland Yap, Officer-in-charge, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity;
• Dr. Rodel Lasco, Philippine Program Coordinator, World Agroforestry Center;
• Dr. Robert Yap, Environmental Economist, Ateneo de Manila;
• Ms. Maricor Bautista, Technical Officer for Environmental Investments, Partnership in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia;
• Dr. Rex Victor Cruz, Professor, University of the Philippines Los Baños; and
• Dr. Asa Jose Sajise, Asst. Professor, University of the Philippines Los Baños.

PARTICIPANTS

The forum is open to top and mid-level natural resource managers from Southeast Asian government agencies, private companies, and local and international NGOs.

COVERAGE

This Learning Forum will help executives understand the recent trends on global environmental problems and appreciate environmental tools and applications. This is jointly sponsored the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA).

For details regarding the forum, visit http://web.searca.org/page.asp?id=16&subcat=4&pageid=159 or contact the following:

Dr. Asa Jose Sajise (asajise_at_yahoo.com)
Course Coordinator

Dr. Maria Celeste H. Cadiz (mchc_at_agri.searca.org)
SEARCA Training Manager

Ms. Mayla H. Viray (mhv_at_agri.searca.org)
SEARCA Training Specialist