Microdata and the Valuation of Natural Capital

Jonathan Colmer () and John L. Voorheis
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Eva Lyubich

No 31189, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: The practical valuation of natural capital remains a challenge, despite a strong theoretical foundation and advances in our understanding of coupled natural and human systems. This paper discusses the extent to which advances in the availability of individual-level microdata might relax measurement constraints, and in turn open the door to new methodological and accounting frameworks that incorporate spatial and individual heterogeneity. We discuss conceptual issues, provide an overview of a new prototype microdata infrastructure developed by the US Census Bureau—the Census Environmental Impacts Frame—and present descriptive evidence on the individual-level distribution of urban tree canopy cover in the United States. Our analysis highlights the empirical relevance of aggregation bias and potential for within-location heterogeneity in demand for natural capital.

JEL-codes: Q53 Q54 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-des and nep-env
Note: EEE
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Forthcoming: Microdata and the Valuation of Natural Capital , Jonathan M. Colmer, John L. Voorheis. in Measuring and Accounting for Environmental Public Goods: A National Accounts Perspective , Muller, Fenichel, and Bohman. 2024

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Chapter: Microdata and the Valuation of Natural Capital (2024)
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