Unpacking the politics of natural capital and economic metaphors in environmental policy discourse

Economic metaphors - including natural capital, natural assets, ecosystem services, and ecological debt - are becoming commonplace in environmental policy discourse. Proponents consider such terms provide a clearer idea of the 'value' of nature, and are useful for ensuring the environment...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental politics 2016-03, Vol.25 (2), p.203-222
Main Author: Coffey, Brian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Assets
Capital
Critical theory
Debt
Decision analysis
Decision making
Discourse
Discourse analysis
Economic analysis
Economic policy
Environmental aspects
Environmental policy
Financial services
Metaphor
Natural capital
Natural environment
neoliberalism
Policy analysis
Policy research
Politics
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Summary:Economic metaphors - including natural capital, natural assets, ecosystem services, and ecological debt - are becoming commonplace in environmental policy discourse. Proponents consider such terms provide a clearer idea of the 'value' of nature, and are useful for ensuring the environment is given due attention in decision making. Critical discourse analysis highlights the ideological work language does; the way in which we think, write, and talk about the environment has important implications for how it is governed. Consequently, the widespread use of economic metaphors is politically significant. This article discusses how metaphors have been analysed in environmental policy research, surveys the use of prominent economic metaphors in environmental policy, and considers the politics associated with such terms. The uptake of various economic metaphors represents a form of reverse discourse, varies in politically significant ways, and narrows the terms of environmental debate.
ISSN:0964-4016
1743-8934
DOI:10.1080/09644016.2015.1090370