Getting Nature on the Balance Sheet: Recognizing the Financial Value Provided by Natural Assets in a Changing Climate

This paper from the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation calls for the recognition of the financial value provided by natural assets and argues for a revamp of accounting rules to safeguard natural resilience. The good news is that over 90 local governments across Canada are already identifying and valuing natural assets that provide services to their citizens, such as the role of wetlands soaking up stormwater and maintaining good water quality, and the role of trees offering shade to reduce urban heat and maintaining good air quality. The challenge is that due to Canada’s accounting rules, financial reports cannot reflect the values economists identify. Both the Canadian Public Sector Accounting Board, and the International Public Sector Accounting Board have projects underway to look at ways to address this shortcoming.

This infographic summarizes the key findings of the report.

Download the report.