Research seminar: Mieke Siebers

Seminar Title: Signs of a Healthy Economy: Redefining Economic Value

Abstract: What makes an economy truly healthy? In this lunchtime seminar, Mieke Siebers, Executive Director of the Foundation for Sustainable Development, explores the role of our economic systems and how we can rethink economic value in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss. From scientific standards on ecosystem services to natural capital accounting, she will show how business and management can help build resilient, mission-driven economies fit for the 21st century. Drawing on thinkers like Mariana Mazzucato and Kate Raworth, the session invites students and faculty to reflect on a central question: what does living well mean, how should our economic systems reflect it and what is the role of business and accounting in this new era?

Bio: Mieke Siebers is a leader in fostering collaboration and innovation at the intersection of ecosystem services, nature valuation, and sustainable decision-making. As Executive Director of the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD), she drives initiatives that bridge science, policy, and practice to advance the economic valuation of nature, including through the Ecosystem Services Valuation Database (ESVD). Mieke specializes in business development and cross-sector networking, championing transdisciplinary approaches to address complex environmental challenges. She has led dissemination efforts for public-private partnership projects, including collaborations with Wageningen Economic Research, Allianz, Deloitte, and ING, focusing on datasets that assess the macroeconomic effects of ecosystem services loss and the costs and benefits of nature-based solutions (NbS). Together with her team, she has also supported the World Bank in developing a global dataset on NbS costs and benefits, and co-authored studies with ASN Bank, and the Municipality of Eindhoven to quantify the monetary value of impacts on ecosystem services. An active member of international networks, Mieke chaired the Ecosystem Services working group for financial institutions within PBAF and was delegation lead for the Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP) at key events, including CBD COP16. She firmly believes that monetary valuation of ecosystem services provides the essential language to shift from business-as-usual to nature-based solutions and foster a more sustainable future.

Note: Tea, coffee, and sandwiches will be provided in front of Café Jolt (Lower Ground Floor) at 2 pm.

Photographs will be taken during this seminar and may be shared on social media. If you do not wish to appear, please notify tbs.research@tcd.ie.