Benefit transfer of environmental and resource values: Progress, prospects and challenges

Authors

Robert J. Johnston, Clark UniversityFollow
John Rolfe, CQUniversity Australia
Ewa Zawojska, University of Warsaw

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This article summarizes the current state and future prospects for benefit transfer of environmental and resource values. Benefit transfer is the use of pre-existing empirical estimates from primary studies at one or more sites or contexts where research has been conducted to predict welfare estimates such as willingness to pay at other, typically unstudied sites or contexts. We orient the discussion around theory, methods and practice, focusing on progress, challenges and frontiers in the literature since the review of Johnston and Rosenberger (2010, Journal of Economic Surveys). The article begins with a brief history of benefit transfer and a summary of areas in which there is methodological consensus. It then presents questions regarding the approaches most likely to promote valid and reliable transfers, and recent research to address these questions. We conclude with an examination of the gap between research and practice, and a discussion of future prospects and research needs.

Publication Title

International Review of Environmental and Resource Economics

Publication Date

2018

Volume

12

Issue

2-3

First Page

177

Last Page

266

ISSN

1932-1465

DOI

10.1561/101.00000102

Keywords

benefit transfer, environment, meta-analysis, non-market, valuation, value

Repository Citation

Johnston, Robert J.; Rolfe, John; and Zawojska, Ewa, "Benefit transfer of environmental and resource values: Progress, prospects and challenges" (2018). Economics. 162.
https://commons.clarku.edu/faculty_economics/162