Sustainable Asset Valuation of Coastal Wetland Restoration in Chile

This report uses the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology to evaluate the economic, social, and environmental benefits of restoring 579 hectares of the Rocuant–Andalién coastal wetland system in Chile's Biobío region. The analysis demonstrates that nature-based infrastructure (NBI) is economically viable across all modelled scenarios, providing significant returns through avoided flood damage, carbon storage, and social value.

• Restoring the Rocuant–Andalién coastal wetland system is economically viable across all six modelled scenarios, with benefit-cost ratios exceeding 1.0. The most optimistic scenario yields a return of USD 1.30 for every dollar invested, resulting in net benefits of USD 42.45 million.
• Nature-based infrastructure (NBI) in the Rocuant–Andalién system can prevent up to USD 58.74 million in losses related to flood damage and rental income over a 26-year period. When combined with other benefits, these returns exceed the USD 140 million required for restoration costs.
• The restoration project, which covers 579 hectares and benefits over 31,000 local residents, generates substantial social and environmental value. This includes USD 78.64 million in social value from nature access and recreation, and carbon storage benefits estimated between USD 1.37 million and USD 4.57 million.
• The project employs green and hybrid infrastructure solutions—including rain gardens, wetland rehabilitation, birdwatching infrastructure, and re-naturalized riverbanks—to address degradation caused by pollution, unsustainable development, and urban expansion.

APA

Guzzetti,, N. N. (2025). Sustainable Asset Valuation of Coastal Wetland Restoration in Chile. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/coastal-wetland-restoration-chile

Chicago

Guzzetti,, Nathalia Niño,Marco. Sustainable Asset Valuation of Coastal Wetland Restoration in Chile. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2025. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/coastal-wetland-restoration-chile.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Guzzetti, |first1=Nathalia Niño,Marco |title=Sustainable Asset Valuation of Coastal Wetland Restoration in Chile |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=31 May 2025 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/coastal-wetland-restoration-chile |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{guzzetti2025sustainable, author = {Guzzetti,, Nathalia Niño,Marco}, title = {{Sustainable Asset Valuation of Coastal Wetland Restoration in Chile}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2025}, month = may, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/coastal-wetland-restoration-chile}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }