The Faculty of Economics’ Professor Dasgupta is the author of The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review, which is an independent, global report calling for transformative change in the way we think, act and measure economic success to protect and enhance our prosperity and the natural world.

The Review, published earlier this year, is the first of its kind, providing a comprehensive framework for thinking about and approaching economics, and the decisions it gives rise to, in way which properly accounts for the natural world. It reinforces the compelling narrative that ‘business as usual’ is no longer an option for the future of planet and people.

Professor Dasgupta delivered a lecture at a ceremony at Kew Gardens to mark the award of this year’s Kew International Medal. The Dasgupta Review recommendations are aligned to Kew’s own work and mission to show that all life on Earth, including humanity, depends on nature.

On accepting his award at Kew Gardens, Dasgupta said: “Our long-term prosperity relies on rebalancing our demand of Nature’s goods and services with its capacity to supply them. To do so requires bringing face to face economics and ecology. I’m delighted and honoured to accept this award, from a world-renowned institution which continues to contribute so much to our understanding of the latter.”

During his lecture, Partha commented: “We need to create an affection for nature, and that desecrating nature is in a sense desecrating ourselves. Now how do you do that? Education, we need to understand nature, what Kew does for example. To develop an affection requires an understanding of the amazing mystery of what’s going on in keeping it alive.”