Cost-Benefit Studies of Natural Resource Management in Southeast Asia

Dr. David James is an independent consultant based in Sydney, Australia. He obtained his MA from the University of Newcastle, NSW and PhD from the University of Bristol, U.K. He has more than 40 years of practical and research experience specialising in environmental and natural resource economics. Currently, he is working on the economics of climate change, ecosystem services and integrated catchment management. During his career, he has conducted economic assessments and provided policy advice on forestry, fisheries, agriculture, dry lands, catchments, riverine systems, coastal zones, energy systems, water and sewerage, solid waste, urban development, air and water pollution and protected areas.Dr James received a United Nations Environment Programme Global 500 Award in 1988 for his pioneering work in environmental impact assessment and natural resource management incorporating economic principles. He is also the recipient of an East West Centre Makana Team Award for his work in environmental economics in SE Asia. Since 1988 David has served as Special Commissioner on the Australian Resource Assessment Commission's Forest and Timber Inquiry, Member of the NSW Government's Natural Resources Audit Council, Co-Chair of the NSW Economic and Social Technical Committee for the Regional Forestry Agreement Process, Independent Adviser to several Government Commissions of Inquiry, and Member of numerous governmental advisory committees. David has worked extensively in developing countries, including acting as ICEM Senior Economist in the Protected Areas and Development Review for the Mekong region. He is the longest serving Resource Person with the Economy and Environment Program for South-East Asia (EEPSEA), providing guidance and training to researchers throughout the region.Dr. Herminia Francisco is the Director of the Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA). The Program plays an important role in developing researchers' capacity to produce high quality, policy relevant studies to support improved environmental management in Southeast Asia. EEPSEA receives funding support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). It has been administered by WorldFish since November 2012.Prior to taking the post as Director of EEPSEA, Dr Francisco was stationed in Cambodia for two years where she managed the capacity-building training and research grant activities for select institutions in Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam. Dr Francisco also taught for several years at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños and was also involved in providing consultancy services to several international organizations before joining EEPSEA. Her written work covers topics such as economics of soil erosion and conservation, pricing of environmental services, climate change adaptation, and institutional issues governing the management of common pool resources.