Business Models that Valorise ESS and Advance a More Socially and Ecologically Grounded Economy

Knickel, Karlheinz, Knickel, Marina and Reed, Matt ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1105-9625 (2026) Business Models that Valorise ESS and Advance a More Socially and Ecologically Grounded Economy. In: Role of Ecosystem Services in Enabling Rural-Urban Synergies. Landscape Series, 20 . Springer, pp. 211-237. ISBN 9783031981531

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Abstract

The services ecosystems provide can be seen as assets in developing individual businesses and local economies. The business models examined in this chapter represent strategies that valorise a high-quality cultural and natural environments. We argue that they make lifestyles and economic systems more environmentally and socially sustainable. The strategies link orthodox business goals with the societal goal of a more socially and ecologically grounded economy. Our analysis focuses on how ecosystem services are valorised and different kinds of value are created. We are interested in the goods and services provided, customers and revenue streams, the related strategies, and the creation of cross-sectoral synergies. The basis of our analysis is a set of business model archetypes compiled in the EU-funded ROBUST project. The business models range from organic farming and regional quality labels to ecotourism and the valorisation of food heritage and green lifestyles. They comprise individual and shared businesses and place-based approaches like renewable energy sourcing partnerships. For each model, we discuss how they support the creation of win-win situations and valorisation of ecosystem services (ESS), identify limiting factors, and explore the potential role of policy.

Item Type:	Book Section
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Ecosystem services; Business models; Valorisation strategies; Place-based; Rural-urban relations
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > Countryside and Community Research Institute
Depositing User:	Anna Kerr
Date Deposited:	09 Oct 2025 09:59
Last Modified:	09 Oct 2025 10:15
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/15423

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