Greene Economics, LLC

🌿 DYK? Holly has deep cultural and ecological roots! 🌱 In pre-Christian Europe, holly symbolized protection, renewal, and resilience during Yule, embodying the strength needed to thrive through winter. 🌟 It’s a fitting symbol for the sustainable solutions we strive for at Greene Economics. For Native American tribes, holly was used medicinally to treat headaches and fevers, as well as in rituals for spiritual protection. Ecologically, holly plays a vital role: its berries feed winter birds, its dense leaves provide shelter, and its evergreen nature helps stabilize soil and support biodiversity. 🌿 At Greene Economics, we help organizations navigate complexity and make informed decisions, from cost-benefit analysis to carbon offsets and ecosystem services. See how we can support your organization: https://lnkd.in/gJXTiXv3 #EnvironmentalEconomics #EcosystemServices #Sustainability #CarbonOffsets #NaturalResourceManagement #NatureBasedSolutions Image: A botanical illustration for winter flora

It’s a busy Monday at Greene Economics as we wrap up year-end reports, including new insights on carbon markets and how Washington State is using auction revenue from its cap-and-invest program to drive climate action. In November, Washington voters made their choice clear: they want to keep the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) in place. As a result, the state’s carbon auctions have been seeing remarkable success, raising a record $272 million in December alone. Allowance prices settled at $40.26—well above the price floowell above the price floor. This marks the 8th consecutive sold-out auction, showing that the market is strong and stable. So, what does this for the state and its communities? These funds are reinvested into projects that reduce emissions, improve air quality, and build climate resilience—especially in overburdened communities. Key initiatives include: → Clean transportation, such as transitioning to zero-emission school buses. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gEb4E8XX → Wildfire prevention and forest health programs. → Public health initiatives aimed at improving air quality and mitigating climate-related health impacts. At Greene Economics, LLC, we’ve been diving into how these funds are making a real difference—and how the carbon market is evolving. Want to learn more? Let's chat! We’d be happy to schedule a call to discuss how we can help you evaluate opportunities in the carbon market and the broader clean energy space. Contact us here: https://lnkd.in/gpQKT69F #CarbonMarkets #ClimateAction #SustainableEconomy #ClimateCommitmentAct #WashingtonState #CarbonPricing Photo: An electric school bus in Walla Walla (Dept of Ecology)

What if poor water quality costs Southwest Florida billions every year? Southwest Florida’s economy depends on healthy water resources. Clean water drives tourism, jobs, recreation, and property values—but its quality is steadily declining. Legislative changes in 2011 weakened local water protections, while harmful algal blooms (#HABs) like blue-green algae and red tide continue to harm ecosystems and industries. In response, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Captains For Clean Water, and the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) partnered with Greene Economics to quantify the economic toll of degraded water quality. A special thank you to the Conservancy's Chief Program Officer,Michele Arquette-Palermo, for joining us at #ACES2024 to present this crucial project. Her leadership was key in sharing the importance of this research with a global audience. 🔍 Key Findings: →$5.2 billion in losses to coastal economic output →$17.8 billion decrease in property values →$8.1 billion in lost recreational value These findings underscore the urgent need for policies that protect and restore our water resources. By quantifying ecological damage in economic terms, this study is helping raise awareness and support initiatives like the Right to Clean and Healthy Waters Amendment. Learn about this movement: https://lnkd.in/eKGbw7_x For more on the study, dive deeper here: https://lnkd.in/gcDHjxsi Check out this powerful video from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, highlighting the importance of clean water and the study’s impact. Watch for cameos from Michele Arquette-Palermo and our own Gretchen Greene! How is your community addressing water quality issues? Share your thoughts in the comments. #ecosystemservices #waterquality #economicimpact #cleanwater #policychange

At #ACES2024, we were thrilled to collaborate with Juliet Sinisterra, CEO of the University District Development Association, on the Spokane University District's (UD) vision for nature-positive urban development. Greene Economics recently led an ecological asset study identifying vital ecosystem services—clean air, water, stormwater management, and more—that are critical to the district’s long-term health. This study supports the UD's innovative framework, integrating indigenous wisdom, planetary boundaries, and nature-based solutions to foster regenerative urban growth. With partners like the City of Spokane and Avista, the UD aims to create a replicable model for sustainable, climate-resilient urban development. This framework prioritizes equity and climate action—laying the foundation for healthier, more resilient cities. Curious? Visit the Spokane University District website to learn about everything that's going on: https://lnkd.in/g9NvX4CZ A huge thank you to Juliet and all our partners for pioneering the way toward a more sustainable, regenerative future!🦋 p.s. You can view a wide range of publications—including Greene Economics' reports on ecological assets, design standards and performance standards—here: https://lnkd.in/gCR8jH48 #UrbanDevelopment #NaturePositive #ClimateAction #Sustainability #EcosystemServices #RegenerativeGrowth

Can carbon credits position state lands for the energy transition? 🌲 At #ACES2024, Bea Covington explored the opportunities—and challenges—of developing carbon, habitat, and biodiversity credits on state-managed lands like those managed by Washington's Department of Natural Resources (DNR). While revenue potential for supporting conservation is significant, Bea emphasized the complexity and careful planning required. Key opportunities include: → Revenue Generation: Using carbon, biodiversity, and habitat credits to fund conservation and land management. → Climate Goals: Helping state and corporate entities meet net-zero targets with carbon offset projects. → Ecosystem Protection: Revenue from credits could support long-term ecological preservation and restoration. However, the complexity of these projects requires careful consideration of market and regulatory dynamics, particularly with Washington's legislative context. Challenges to consider: → Market Volatility: Fluctuating demand and credit prices pose financial risks. → Third-Party Dependencies: DNR must rely on third-party developers to execute projects, adding complexity and risk. → Regulatory Barriers: Washington’s current legislation limits DNR’s ability to sell credits directly, restricting full participation in carbon credit markets and complicating implementation. The takeaway? “While there are opportunities and it’s worth exploring—especially for supporting conservation and meeting climate goals—it takes significant effort to launch these projects. Most agencies must rely on third-party developers,” Bea shared. Through our collaboration with Washington’s DNR, Greene Economics assessed market opportunities for carbon, habitat, and biodiversity credits. We developed a roadmap to help DNR unlock the potential of state lands for the energy transition—positioning them to meet climate goals and fund long-term conservation through ecosystem service credits. What challenges have you encountered in exploring carbon credits on public lands? Let’s discuss! #CarbonMarkets #PublicLands #EcosystemServices #CarbonCredits #EnergyTransition #ClimateCommitmentAct

Sabine Postma poses in front of her "Accounting for Ecosystem Services via Formal Analysis Frameworks in Canada" presentation #ACES2024 in Austin, TX. She knocked it out of the park again—naturally. Good on ya, Sabine! 👉🏼Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gau3-tBK #EcosystemServices #ESG #BCorp #3bl #GreeneEconomics #EnvironmentalScientist

How can businesses better account for ecosystem services in Canada and beyond? 🌍🇨🇦 At Greene Economics, LLC, we know that truly sustainable business practices depend on understanding the full range of environmental impacts—especially ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, pollination, and stormwater management. In 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮 🇨🇦, frameworks like Triple Bottom Line (TBL), Environmental Social Governance (ESG), B Corps, and Multiple Account Evaluations (MAE) are helping businesses and governments incorporate these ecosystem services into decision-making. While these frameworks are growing in prominence in Canada, there are important lessons for organizations worldwide on strengthening their sustainability practices. Sabine Postma, an environmental scientist at Greene Economics, will be presenting at #ACES2024 this week, exploring how Canadian frameworks can help businesses better account for ecosystem services—and how organizations can integrate these approaches into their own sustainability efforts. Sabine will explore frameworks like: 1. 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 (𝗧𝗕𝗟) 🌱💰: A broad approach that encourages companies to evaluate their impact on People, Planet, and Profit, though it can lack detailed metrics for ecosystem services. 2. 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 (𝗘𝗦𝗚)🌎⚖️: A tool for assessing environmental and social impacts, but often missing certain intangible ecosystem services. 3. 𝗕 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻♻️🌿: A rigorous certification requiring businesses to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, but lacks the flexibility needed to capture less tangible ecosystem services. 4. 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 (𝗠𝗔𝗘)📊🌳: A framework used primarily in Canada 🇨🇦 to evaluate project alternatives, considering financial, environmental, and social impacts, but needing more standardized methods to account for ecosystem services. 👉 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 in your sustainability efforts? Are you using any of these frameworks or others to assess environmental impact? 👇Share your thoughts below or reach out to explore how Greene Economics can help integrate ecosystem services into your projects. #EcosystemServices #ESG #EnvironmentalImpact #SustainabilityStrategy #NaturalCapitol

At the upcoming ACES 2024 Conference, Greene Economics is leading an insightful session on “Bringing it all together: How do we establish systems of ecosystem services for ongoing monitoring?” As municipalities, organizations, and communities increasingly focus on establishing baselines and metrics for ecosystem services, this session will explore how we can build integrated systems for monitoring progress. With growing interest in ecosystem service markets, stewardship, and regulatory requirements, there’s a need for practical solutions that help measure and track ecosystem services over time. Moderated by Gretchen Greene, Principal Economist and Managing Partner at Greene Economics, a women-led environmental consulting firm, the session brings together a diverse group of experts who will share innovative approaches to integrating ecosystem services across different contexts. With over 28 years of experience in environmental and community economics, Dr. Greene has collaborated with each of the presenters on projects focused on resilience, equity, and the complex relationship between ecosystems and economic systems. Our session will feature the following topics: - Positioning state lands for the energy transition (Bea Covington, Greene Economics, LLC) - Mimicking historical ecology for urban ecosystem service targets and metrics (Juliet Sinisterra, University District - Spokane, WA) - The loss of ecosystem services from water in Southwest Florida due to harmful algal blooms (Michele Arquette-Palermo, Conservancy of Southwest Florida) - Ecosystem services as part of the Canadian Multiple Account Evaluation for Saskatoon (Sabine Postma, Greene Economics, LLC) - International ecosystem service accounting systems (Susan Burke, Ph.D., Stantec) Together, the speakers will showcase practical, real-world solutions for integrating ecosystem services into decision-making processes—emphasizing the importance of resilience and equity. 🔍 Interested in learning more about how ecosystem service systems can drive sustainable solutions? Join us for a lively discussion at #ACES2024 or visit Greene Economics' website to see how we’re working with clients to integrate ecosystem services into their projects. #EcosystemServices #EnvironmentalEconomics #EcosystemMarkets #CulturalEcosystems #GreeneEconomics

Next week in Austin, TX, we will be participating in #ACES2024 — Advancing Ecosystem Services for Resilience and Equity🌿 — where we’ll join global leaders to discuss how natural resource economics and ecosystem services can drive sustainable, equitable decision-making. Gretchen Greene will moderate the session “How Do We Establish Systems of Ecosystem Services for Ongoing Monitoring?” alongside Greene Economics experts and partners, including: 🌊Michele Arquette-Palermo, Chief Program Officer, Conservancy of Southwest Florida, on “Making a Case for Protection of Water Quality in Southwest Florida.” ♻️Susan Burke, Ph.D., Principal Economist, Stantec, on “Environmental Accounting and Measuring Change and Improvement.” ⚡️Bea Covington, Principal Economist, presenting on “Positioning State Lands for the Energy Transition.” 🍁Sabine Postma, Research Associate, presenting “Accounting for Ecosystem Services via Sustainability Frameworks in Canada.” 🌲Juliet Sinisterra, CEO, Spokane University District, on “Nature-Positive Urban Development and Regenerative Growth.” We look forward to engaging with the ecosystem services community to explore actionable solutions for more resilient, sustainable futures! Learn about more here: https://lnkd.in/gqgTUUWj #EcosystemServices #GreeneEconomics #CommunityResilience #NaturalResourceEconomics #ResourceManagement

Snippets of conversation overheard today aboard a Washington State ferry: “Pumpkin pie spice,” “mashed potatoes,” “Grandma’s house,” and “Rainbow!” Happy Thanksgiving to all of our partners, friends, and the communities we serve. #salishsea #washingtonstate #thanksgiving #greeneconomics