Application of capability approach to assess the role of ecosystem services in the well-being of Indigenous Australians

The well-being of Indigenous people in Australia and throughout the world is linked to the use and value of natural resources. This research analyses the current well-being approach applied to measure well-being of Indigenous Australians. It reports findings from three case studies in Queensland on Indigenous people’s values and concerns and their capabilities in relation to natural systems. It applies a holistic approach based upon the Millennium
Ecosystem Assessment and Sen’s capability approaches and proposes an integrated wellbeing model by incorporating intangible values such as cultural and identity values, that are linked to people’s capabilities involving natural systems. It provides a novel way of understanding the role of natural resources in Indigenous well-being by associating natural resources with people’s capabilities. The study suggests transforming the present concept
of well-being and its measures for incorporating people’s capabilities that can effectively inform future policy decision making.