The links between the environment and the economy have risen on policy and academic agendas. This paper
scopes out the linkages between resource degradation and socio-economic outcomes, focusing on land and water
degradation. The overall research aims to address some of the shortcomings in existing models and projections
of economic growth and resource degradation, which do not incorporate feedback mechanisms related to
environmental degradation.
This paper suggests that the socio-economic impact of resource degradation depends on (i) direct transmission
mechanisms; and (ii) the ability of producers and consumers to follow mitigation strategies (this could be termed
economic, social and governance resilience).
The paper therefore proposes that there are four key elements to consider in such analysis, which can be applied
at different scales:
Biophysical changes, i.e. the various types of degradation and their effects on ecosystems.
Potential socio-economic impacts of changes in ecosystems, i.e. the various transmission mechanisms to
human development, and the degree of socio-economic exposure to these.
The resilience of socio-economic systems, i.e. possibilities for mitigation and the constraints and enablers
which govern whether or not they can be adopted.
Finally, the actual socio-economic impacts resulting from all of the above.