2.3 Non-monetary values
The non-monetary value method aims to identify and assess the values generated by the WEFe Nexus (water, energy, food, ecosystems) that do not have market prices but are important to individuals, communities, and organizations due to their connections with nature.
Optional pathways
This method combines two analytical frameworks:
- Type of values or multiple values (instrumental value, intrinsic values, and relational values) (Chan et al. 2016)
- The Human Nature Connectedness (HNC) framework (Ives et al. 2018)
Definitions non-monetary values
Instrumental and commercial values: These values are rooted in market principles and monetary assessments within a tangible market context. They are embedded in market-centric ideologies and conservation programs that often involve some degree of commodifying nature and privatizing rights.
Intrinsic values: Intrinsic value pertains to the inherent moral rights of nature, biodiversity, and all species worldwide to simply exist. It emphasizes our recognition of nature’s intrinsic right to exist.
Relational values: Relational values encompass preferences, experiences, and virtues associated with human-nature interactions and human relationships within the natural world (as defined by Chan et al. in 2016). Some examples of relational values arising from the connection between people and nature include stewardship of the landscape, cultural identity, adherence to local traditions, the symbolic significance of the landscape, a sense of belonging, identity within the landscape, social ties etc. Relational approaches can inspire conservation efforts without ascribing a monetary “price tag” to nature, thereby sidestepping associated controversies and unintended consequences.
Dimensions of the Human–Nature Connectedness (HNC): These dimensions can be at the individual or community level, and are ordered from least to greatest depth:
(1) material, related to the extraction and use of resources;
(2) experiential, associated with activities carried out in contact with nature;
(3) cognitive, related to values and attitudes towards nature and knowledge about it;
(4) emotional, relating to emotional ties and affective responses towards nature; and,
(5) philosophical, concerning the deep ideas of what nature is and why it matters (Ives et al. 2017, 2018).
Why use the non-monetary value method?
This method explores the multiple values that the WEFe nexus holds for local communities, beyond traditional market valuations. It examines how people associate different types of values (instrumental, intrinsic, and relational) with WEFe components (water, energy, food, ecosystems) and how these values shape human-nature relationships. The goal is to understand the importance of various dimensions of human-nature connections (material, experiential, cognitive, emotional, philosophical) in the socio-ecological context of the study area.
How to apply the non-monetary value method for the WEFe Framework?
The methodological approach of the method is to conduct in-depth interviews with local stakeholders of the area of study. A sample of between 6-16 in-depth interviews is generally considered sufficient to perform a thematic analysis of this type.
Interview structure
The interview will be structured into different sections to collect information about:
- The multiple type of values that people associate with the WEFe nexus
- The factors that explain the human-nature connection (material, experiential, cognitive, emotional and philosophical) within the WEFe nexus
- Sociodemographic information (age, gender, educational level, type of occupation/work, etc.) of the study site
Interview guideline for Non-monetary values
Discover how people relate to nature through material, emotional, cognitive, and cultural experiences.
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The interview can be adapted to best suit the socio-ecological system that you are working in, some words may not be understood by all stakeholders and should be clear to everyone, so the data collection is as precise as possible for the future analysis.