The BIOECON Partners are pleased to announce the Nineteenth Annual International BIOECON conference. The conference will provide a platform for the dissemination of high-quality research on the economics of environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. But it will also serve as an opportunity to mark Aart de Zeeuw’s retirement as Professor of Environmental Economics at Tilburg University. To honor his academic work and contributions to the science and policy of environmental economics, BIOECON 19 will pay special attention to the theme of “Evidence-based environmental policies and the optimal management of natural resources”.

The conference will be held at Tilburg University, the Netherlands, between the 20th – 22nd September 2017. BIOECON 19 will be of interest to both researchers and policy makers working on issues in the area of biodiversity, ecosystem services, and sustainable development, in both developed and developing countries. In particular, we wish to explore the latest theoretical and empirical research on the effectiveness of policy instruments in protecting the planet’s most valuable resources. The emphasis will be on (i) the insights provided by randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and other impact evaluation methods regarding the effectiveness of various types of environmental and conservation policies, and (ii) the state-of-the–art knowledge regarding the optimal management of (socio-) ecological systems in the presence of non-linear dynamics and tipping points. These topics will be addressed in the key note lectures by Professors List and Carpenter, but they will receive ample attention in plenary panel and/or special parallel session sessions too.

The conference welcomes contributions by interested researchers in the fields mentioned above (RCTs and analyses of complex dynamic systems – ecosystems, but also complex dynamics in social systems hampering or fostering the energy and/or sustainability transitions), but the invitation to submit contributions is not limited to these areas. The conference takes a broad interest in the area of resource management, development and conservation, including but not limited to: the role of biodiversity and ecosystem services in economic development, deforestation and development, resource use and institutional adaptation, international trade and regulation, and natural resources and the circular economy. For a flavor of previous conferences go to previous BIOECON conferences. BIOECON also has the goal of influencing policy-makers and policy. To this end two expert policy panels will be organized; details will follow later.

Complete papers may be submitted for presentation within the conference and only complete papers will be considered by the scientific program committee. Electronic copies should be sent to Ms Kristel Suijs at bioecon@bioecon-network.org no later than Friday May 12, 2017. Please include Abstract, JEL Codes and Keywords with your submission. Acceptance of papers will be notified by email by Friday June 16, 2017. Unfortunately late papers cannot be considered.

It is also possible to submit 3-4 papers together as a suggested “special session” under one of the themes indicated above. The Scientific Partners reserve the right to accept papers on an individual basis, so it is possible that even when a session is not accepted, individual papers within the session might be so.

The conference will open with a reception at Tilburg University on early evening of Wednesday 20th of September. Conference sessions will commence on the morning of the 21st of September and conclude on the afternoon of the 22nd of September. The conference banquet will take place on the evening of the 21st of September. The conference closes on September 22 at 3.30pm. All participants are, however, welcome to also attend Aart de Zeeuw’s valedictory speech, which will take place on September 22 between 4 and 5pm, in the Grand Auditorium of Tilburg University; all participants are also welcome to attend the reception following his farewell address. (There will be a dinner afterwards to, but this is on the basis of explicit invitation only).

Selected presenters will be invited to register one presenter for the conference at the “invited presenter” rate. The invited presenter rate consists of a € 175 registration fee that will cover the costs of 2 nights single accommodation, reception, lunches, and conference banquet. A limited number of double rooms are available (at a surcharge of € 50/night). Additional guests may be registered for lunch (€ 25/person) or the conference banquet at the additional cost of € 75 per guest. There is a € 300 registration fee for all other participants that will include the banquet, lunches and refreshments, but not accommodation. There is a € 150 registration fee for day-participants (that includes lunches and refreshments but not lodging and the conference banquet). All other questions regarding fees, registrations and accommodation should be sent to Ms Kristel Suijs at bioecon@bioecon-network.org.

Registrations for conference presenters are due by 4 July 2017. Registration for all other participants closes on the 31 August 2017.

Further registration details and all other conference information will be provided on the BIOECON web-site.