# Real Estate Appraisal Is Nature-Blind - And It's Bankrupting Us All

> This multi-trillion-dollar valuation gap is destroying the planet and the wealth it provides — this simple fix could solve climate and biodiversity simultaneously

**Published by:** [BASIN Dispatches](https://dispatches.basin.global/)
**Published on:** 2025-09-17
**URL:** https://dispatches.basin.global/real-estate-appraisal-is-nature-blind-and-its-bankrupting-us-all

## Content

Everyone's debating how to "price" nature. But it's not a pricing problem—it's a Value problem. (Capital V intentional.) When nature is properly valued in both economics and culture, many environmental and climate problems solve themselves. Not all, but most. The biggest lever? Real estate appraisal. Here's a practical example: If natural capital (ecosystem extent + condition) were properly valued, most real estate is 10-50% or even more under-valued. Not just mispriced—fundamentally mis-valued. The math is simple: ecosystem function ties directly to dollar value of all the benefits nature provides. Thriving ecosystems = higher property values. Depleted ecosystems = lower values. The incentive structure fixes itself. Steward nature → create more value. Destroy nature → destroy value. This exposes Value that already exists. We can use instrumental value to protect and bolster intrinsic Value. The truth? If real asset appraisal included the holistic valuation of natural assets instead of just the financial and economic value of real estate, we probably wouldn't need carbon credits, biodiversity credits, or Certificates of Ensurance. Real estate appraisal just needs to include nature value. We call it Higher & Better Use instead of the BAU "Highest & Best Use". What if your property's ecological health determined its market value? What would you do differently? How would you manage the land?Natural Asset ValuationSee it in action and practice here.

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