What is water worth? Moving beyond the price tag

For much of her career, Professor Julia Martin-Ortega has explored how economics can help societies make better decisions about water and the natural environment. But over time, her work has also led her to question whether everything that matters can—or should—be expressed in monetary terms.

In this talk, Julia will trace her journey from environmental economics towards ecological economics, and from monetary valuation towards approaches that recognise the many different ways people understand and value water. Drawing on more than 20 years of research and policy engagement, she will reflect on what economics can contribute to addressing water challenges, where conventional approaches fall short, and why tackling today’s environmental crises may require us to rethink not only how we value nature, but the role of economics itself.

The event will include a drinks reception, audience Q&A, and an opportunity for informal networking and discussion following the talk.

A limited online attendance option will also be available for those unable to join us in person.

This event is part of the 'Rethinking Prosperity on a Finite Planet' event series.

About the speaker - Professor Julia Martin-Ortega

Julia Martin-Ortega is professor of Ecological Economics and Associate Director of water@leeds, one of the largest interdisciplinary water research hubs. Her research aims to further the understanding human-nature relationships and how policy can best make use of this understanding for sustainable water and land management. She specialises in inter and transdisciplinary research approaches oriented to the delivery of societal impact.

She is member of Natural England’s Science Advisory Committee and advises Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs and Defra’s Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate. Her work has been adopted by the UK Climate Change Committee and informed its 7th Carbon Budget. She has influenced the UN & World Bank’s Valuing Water Initiative and has contributed to the work of the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Water and Human Rights and the UN Living in Harmony with Nature programme.

Her research has influenced law (e.g. the notion of value in Scotland’s Water Resources Act), policy programmes (e.g. Northern Ireland’s £35M Soil Nutrient-Health Scheme) and environmental practice (e.g. England’s PeatPilots, Scotland’s Peatland Action Plan). Julia is the founder of the Water Woman Initiative, which rewards and empowers women in water research for their inspiring nature of their achievements.