Recent Release | 08 Dec 2023

The economic value of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Economic Consulting Team

Oxford Economics

Oxford Economics undertook a total economic value assessment of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew for the year 22/23. The report found that Kew delivered £3.81 in benefits to UK society for every £1 spent to run it.

Key benefits provided by Kew include the value of its scientific research in areas such as climate change and sustainability, which is enabled by Kew’s extensive collections of plants and fungi. Kew also provided substantial value to its 2.3 million visitors in the year 22/23, and provided educational opportunities to thousands of students across a number of programmes, ranging from school visits all the way to postgraduate diplomas.

Through survey techniques, the research also demonstrated that even those who do not benefit from Kew directly still place a meaningful value on its existence as an important institution.

The experts behind the research

Our Economic Consulting team are world leaders in quantitative economic analysis, working with clients around the globe and across sectors to build models, forecast markets and evaluate interventions using state-of-the art techniques. Lead consultants on this project were:

Chris Warner

Lead Economist

Ross Thomas

Lead Economist

Simon Garforth-Bles

Senior Economist

Recent related reports

The Green Leap – Project bankability takes centre stage

The report argues that enhancing project bankability should become a main policy priority as part of climate investment endeavors.

Find Out More
Greenomics podcast cover
What does the critical minerals boom mean for Africa? | Greenomics podcast

As demand grows for critical minerals like cobalt, copper, and lithium, African nations are navigating opportunities and risks—from boosting local employment to managing geopolitical tensions and environmental concerns.

Find Out More
Toward a global carbon pricing system - Hinrich Foundation
Toward a global carbon pricing system

Fragmented carbon markets and the risk of carbon leakage are jeopardizing progress toward global net-zero targets. A major challenge lies in the lack of coordinated policies to align around a unified carbon price. Oxford Economics, in a study for the Hinrich Foundation, highlights how regional carbon markets could offer a practical path toward more effective global pricing.

Find Out More
US climate policy under Trump administration
Trump 2.0: US climate policy in retreat

From executive orders to federal lawsuits against state-level climate policies, the Trump administration has acted with urgency to reverse the low-carbon momentum built under President Biden.

Find Out More