Assessing Environmental Values: The Damage Schedule Approach

In many countries, environmental management is hampered by lack of resources and expertise. This study has field-tested an analytical tool that offers a relatively simple and cost-effective way forward. The study looked at two coastal areas in Thailand. It investigated whether the value judgments of local stakeholders could be used to gauge the significance of potential environmental damage. It went on to look at the applicability of such a 'damage schedule' approach to policy making. The study concluded that such this method offers a practical and effective tool for those involved in ecosystem management.