The “Plural Values of Nature” scale: An integrated psychometric scale to measure instrumental, intrinsic and relational values

Sustainability transformations critically depend on understanding, assessing and monitoring the plural values of nature held across societies. However, while conceptual frameworks increasingly acknowledge a plurality of values, empirical indicators to reliably assess these multiple value types and their sub-dimensions remain scarce. We introduce the Plural Values of Nature (PVN) scale, integrating intrinsic, instrumental, and relational values into one multi-dimensional scale. This psychometric scale consists of 11 items and is designed to capture both distinctiveness and overlap of values. Using a seven-step process that includes qualitative and cognitive interviews, expert evaluations, and quantitative pre-testing and validation the scale is refined and validated across five European countries (representative sample; n = 1028). The validation study shows moderate to high internal consistency, reliability, and validity of the scale across all countries. Based on the development and validation of the PVN, we discuss methodological and conceptual issues and unpack the plurality of values of nature. Initial results show that considering the plurality of values is important to understand peoples attitudes towards e.g., nature restoration: People that endorse multiple values show more positive attitudes towards nature restoration than people endorsing only one specific value type (either instrumental, intrinsic, or relational values), with people endorsing all three value types simultaneously showing the highest support for such policies. As a concise survey-based social indicator, the PVN scale can be used to take stock of the plural values that societies hold regarding the future development of nature and to monitor potential shifts over time.