ECO-BEST: The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) in Thailand/Southeast Asia

The Southeast Asian region covers only three percent of the world’s total surface, yet it is home to 20 percent of species of flora and fauna in the world. Its rich biodiversity and diverse ecosystems provide the region substantial economic values that benefit local communities. However, Southeast Asia continues to face challenges on biodiversity loss, which impact these economic gains. To counter such losses, the Enhancing Economics of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Thailand/Southeast Asia (ECO-BEST)—a project that primarily focuses on the reduction of terrestrial biodiversity loss—was developed. ECO-BEST aims to improve and strengthen national framework conditions to enable the use od economic and financial tools in protected areas and buffer zones and for on-the-ground conservation efforts in the pilot sites.