Intangible nature use: «informal sector» in environmental sciences

Abstract

The goal was to substantiate the concept of intangible nature use and review the methodological approaches to quantitative assessment of intangible natural resources. We reviewed a state-of-the-art body of knowledge in environmental protection and transformation of economic policy responding to the sustainable development goals. In this paper, we generalised a large research direction regarding relational values of nature – intangible nature use. This research direction has been increasingly recognised within the natural resources frameworks, as evident from the experience of intergovernmental (IPBES) and national initiatives, and a recent shift of global GDP’s structure towards intangible components. Such a research direction is fruitful in the context of reprioritisation of values of nature of industrial era towards informational industries to resolve the contradictions between the potentially endless economic growth (based on instrumental values of nature) and nature protection activities. For the first time, we demonstrate how the international academic community (using diverse terminology and methodological frameworks, and often indirectly), gradually constitutes a new research domain on intangible nature use. We also highlight the prospects for decision-making and implementation of sustainable development practises in Ukraine.