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System of Environmental-Economic Accounting Introduction to the SEEA & Policy Applications Project: Advancing the SEEA Experimental Ecosystem Accounting 1

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Page 1: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Introduction to the SEEA &Policy ApplicationsIntroduction to the SEEA &Policy Applications

Project: Advancing the SEEAExperimental Ecosystem Accounting

1

Page 2: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

1. Policy Setting2. An Integrated Information System for

Sustainable Development3. Adoption and Mainstreaming of Statistical

Standard4. Applications

1. Policy Setting2. An Integrated Information System for

Sustainable Development3. Adoption and Mainstreaming of Statistical

Standard4. Applications

2

Page 3: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Policy Setting

3

Page 4: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Common view that theEconomy exists within Society,which in turn exists within asupporting Environment

Policy decisions related to thesethree ‘pillars’ of sustainabledevelopment should beintegrated rather than takenindependently

Environment

Society

Economy

Integrated and Sustainable Development

Environment

Society

Common view that theEconomy exists within Society,which in turn exists within asupporting Environment

Policy decisions related to thesethree ‘pillars’ of sustainabledevelopment should beintegrated rather than takenindependently

EconomySociety

Economy

4

Page 5: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

OECDGreen Growth

World BankWAVES

UNEP: TEEB;CBD Aichi

Targets

International Initiatives for Integration

Integratenature intodecisionmaking

IPBES

BioFin

REDD+

Agenda 21 Rio +20

SustainableDevelopment

Goals(SDGs)

5

Page 6: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Decisions are becoming more integrated:• Sustainable development, green economy, climate change,

biodiversity preservation, etc.

Increasing demand to mainstream linkages betweenenvironment, society and economy:• National development plans include natural heritage, food

security, water security, low-carbon…• National sustainable development strategies• National biodiversity strategies and action plans, etc.

Strongly encouraged by international community

National Policy Initiatives for Integration

Decisions are becoming more integrated:• Sustainable development, green economy, climate change,

biodiversity preservation, etc.

Increasing demand to mainstream linkages betweenenvironment, society and economy:• National development plans include natural heritage, food

security, water security, low-carbon…• National sustainable development strategies• National biodiversity strategies and action plans, etc.

Strongly encouraged by international community

6

Page 7: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Integrated InformationSystem for Sustainable

Development

Integrated InformationSystem for Sustainable

Development

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Page 8: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

“We recognize the need for broader measures ofprogress to complement GDP in order to better informpolicy decisions, and in this regard, we request theUN Statistical Commission in consultation withrelevant UN System entities and other relevantorganizations to launch a programme of work in thisarea building on existing initiatives.”

Paragraph 38 of Rio+20 Report

“We recognize the need for broader measures ofprogress to complement GDP in order to better informpolicy decisions, and in this regard, we request theUN Statistical Commission in consultation withrelevant UN System entities and other relevantorganizations to launch a programme of work in thisarea building on existing initiatives.”

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Page 9: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Statistics for Sustainable Development

Increasing recognition that Sustainable Development Policyshould:

1. Be based on Evidence: Policy should, to the greatest extent possible,be informed by rigorously established evidence

2. Take an Integrated Approach: Policy should be based on a betterunderstanding of interactions and tradeoffs between the differentrealms of sustainability

Implication: An information system is needed to support policyanalysis and decisions, which provides information on;

• The multiple issues relevant to sustainable development• The interconnections between these issues

Increasing recognition that Sustainable Development Policyshould:

1. Be based on Evidence: Policy should, to the greatest extent possible,be informed by rigorously established evidence

2. Take an Integrated Approach: Policy should be based on a betterunderstanding of interactions and tradeoffs between the differentrealms of sustainability

Implication: An information system is needed to support policyanalysis and decisions, which provides information on;

• The multiple issues relevant to sustainable development• The interconnections between these issues

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Page 10: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

The economy impacts on theenvironment and theenvironment impacts on theeconomy

To understand theselinkages we need to integrateenvironmental and economicinformation

This is the explicit purpose ofthe SEEA

Information is vital…and it needs to be integrated

The economy impacts on theenvironment and theenvironment impacts on theeconomy

To understand theselinkages we need to integrateenvironmental and economicinformation

This is the explicit purpose ofthe SEEA

10

Page 11: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

An internationally agreed statistical framework to measurethe environment and its interactions with economy

The System of Environmental EconomicAccounting (SEEA)

The SEEA Central Frameworkwas adopted as an internationalstatistical standard by the UNStatistical Commission in 2012

The SEEA ExperimentalEcosystem Accountscomplement the CentralFramework and representinternational efforts towardcoherent ecosystem accounting

The SEEA Central Frameworkwas adopted as an internationalstatistical standard by the UNStatistical Commission in 2012

The SEEA ExperimentalEcosystem Accountscomplement the CentralFramework and representinternational efforts towardcoherent ecosystem accounting

11

Page 12: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

The SNA and SEEA: Systems of coherent information:

SEEA-

Energy

(forthcoming)

SEEA-Agriculture,

Forestry and

Fisheries

(forthcoming)

Others

(forthcoming)

12

Page 13: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Silo Approach Integrated StatisticsAgency A

Policy A

Info A

Data A

Agency C

Policy C

Info C

Data C

Agency B

Policy B

Info B

Data B

Indicators

AccountsSNA and SEEA

Agency A

Policy A

Info A

Data A

Agency C

Policy C

Info C

Data C

Agency B

Policy B

Info B

Data BBasic data

Economy Environment Social

Accounts to integrate statistics: Linking policy needs and statistics Understanding the institutional arrangements Integrated statistical production process/chain and services Consistency between basic data, accounts and tables and indicators

13

Page 14: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Data developed toanswer one particularquestion or problem

Difficult to figure out if allinformation is included

Not always easy to seethe whole picture, or howit relates to other things

Problem: Information Silos

Data developed toanswer one particularquestion or problem

Difficult to figure out if allinformation is included

Not always easy to seethe whole picture, or howit relates to other things

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Page 15: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Holistic picture

Consistency of informationand identification of datagaps

Interconnections betweeneconomy, environment andsociety

Solution: Integrated Information

Holistic picture

Consistency of informationand identification of datagaps

Interconnections betweeneconomy, environment andsociety

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Page 16: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

One Environment: Two Perspectives

SEEACentral Framework:

Individual EnvironmentalAssets/Resources

SEEA ExperimentalEcosystem Accounts:

Ecosystem Assets(spatially based)

TimberWaterSoilFish

ForestsLakes

Agriculturalareas

SEEACentral Framework:

Individual EnvironmentalAssets/Resources

SEEA ExperimentalEcosystem Accounts:

Ecosystem Assets(spatially based)

Ecosystem Assets are environmental assets viewedfrom a systems perspective

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Page 17: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Activities-Production

-Consumption-Accumulation

Instruments-Financial/Monetary

-Taxes/subsidies- Financing-Resource rent-Permits

Economic Units-Enterprises-Households-Government

-Non-profitinstitutions

EconomyEnvironment

Territory of reference

Outsideterritory ofreference

Outsideterritory ofreference

Imports/Exports

Analytical and PolicyFrameworks

-Productivity analysis-Natural resource management

-Climate change-Green Growth/Green Economy

-Post-2015 Development Agenda

SEEA Conceptual Framework

Individual Environmental Assets (e.g., land,water, mineral and energy, soil, aquatic)

Ecosystem Assets

Natural inputs Residuals (e.g.,emissions,

waste)

Outsideterritory ofreference

Outsideterritory ofreference

Transboundary Environmental Flows

Ecosystemservices

Analytical and PolicyFrameworks

-Productivity analysis-Natural resource management

-Climate change-Green Growth/Green Economy

-Post-2015 Development Agenda

17

Page 18: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

SEEA Conceptual Framework

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Page 19: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

1. Flow accounts: supply and use tables for products, natural inputsand residuals (e.g. waste, wastewater) generated by economicactivities.

• physical (e.g. m2 of water) and/or monetary values (e.g. permits to access water, cost ofwastewater treatment, etc.)

2. Stock accounts for environmental assets: natural resources andland

• physical (e.g. fish stocks and changes in stocks) and/or monetary values (e.g. value ofnatural capital, depletion)

3. Activity / purpose accounts that explicitly identify environmentaltransactions already existing in the SNA.

• e.g. Environmental Protection Expenditure (EPE) accounts, environmental taxes andsubsidies

4. Combined physical and monetary accounts that bring togetherphysical and monetary information for derivation indicators,including depletion adjusted aggregates

The SEEA Central Framework Accounts1. Flow accounts: supply and use tables for products, natural inputs

and residuals (e.g. waste, wastewater) generated by economicactivities.

• physical (e.g. m2 of water) and/or monetary values (e.g. permits to access water, cost ofwastewater treatment, etc.)

2. Stock accounts for environmental assets: natural resources andland

• physical (e.g. fish stocks and changes in stocks) and/or monetary values (e.g. value ofnatural capital, depletion)

3. Activity / purpose accounts that explicitly identify environmentaltransactions already existing in the SNA.

• e.g. Environmental Protection Expenditure (EPE) accounts, environmental taxes andsubsidies

4. Combined physical and monetary accounts that bring togetherphysical and monetary information for derivation indicators,including depletion adjusted aggregates

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Page 20: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

An integrated measurement framework for ecosystemstocks (assets) and flows (services)• It covers “natural” as well as human-dominated systems such as

croplands and intensive pastures

• It takes a detailed spatial approach (maps and statistics)

A synthesis of current knowledge on ecosystemservices, ecosystem condition and related concepts• “Experimental” because significant measurement challenges

remain and further testing of concepts is needed

SEEA Experimental Ecosystem Approach An integrated measurement framework for ecosystem

stocks (assets) and flows (services)• It covers “natural” as well as human-dominated systems such as

croplands and intensive pastures

• It takes a detailed spatial approach (maps and statistics)

A synthesis of current knowledge on ecosystemservices, ecosystem condition and related concepts• “Experimental” because significant measurement challenges

remain and further testing of concepts is needed

20

Page 21: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Measures the contributions of ecosystems toeconomic and other human activity in anaccounting framework: Ecosystem Assets and Condition

“Final” Ecosystem Services (Production):

• Provisioning services: products that can beharvested or extracted from ecosystems

• Regulating services: regulation of biological,hydrological and climate processes

• Cultural services: non-material benefits ofecosystems e.g., tourism or cultural experiences

• With component accounts for Carbon,Biodiversity and Water

SEEA Experimental Ecosystem ApproachMeasures the contributions of ecosystems toeconomic and other human activity in anaccounting framework: Ecosystem Assets and Condition

“Final” Ecosystem Services (Production):

• Provisioning services: products that can beharvested or extracted from ecosystems

• Regulating services: regulation of biological,hydrological and climate processes

• Cultural services: non-material benefits ofecosystems e.g., tourism or cultural experiences

• With component accounts for Carbon,Biodiversity and Water 21

Page 22: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Adoption andMainstreaming of Standard

Adoption andMainstreaming of Standard

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Page 23: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Countries are “encouraged to implement thestandard”

International organizations have obligations toassist countries in implementation

Implementation strategy adopted by StatisticalCommission in March 2013

Data reporting mechanism will be established

SEEA: International Statistical Standard

Countries are “encouraged to implement thestandard”

International organizations have obligations toassist countries in implementation

Implementation strategy adopted by StatisticalCommission in March 2013

Data reporting mechanism will be established

23

Page 24: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

OECD:Green Growth Strategy

European Union:Beyond GDP

Mainstreaming the SEEA Framework inInternational Initiatives

InternationalPolicyFrameworks:

Underlying Statistical Framework:SNA and SEEA (Central Framework and EEA)

Aichi Target 2(CBD)

Country participation in and reporting tointernational initiatives

WAVES(World Bank)

24

Page 25: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

VisionVision

NationalDevelopment

Goals

National Economic Development Plan /Planning and Budgetary Processes

A National Information System to SupportIntegrated Policy

Supporting Evidence

Sector Strategies and Plans

WaterWater

Health

Education

Economy

FisheriesFisheries

Forests

Energy

Biodiversity

ClimateChange

Oceans / MarineResources

Tourism

Rural DevelopmentDisasterReduction

National Economic Development Plan /Planning and Budgetary Processes

Water Energy Economy

ClimateChange

Forests

Agriculture

Biodiversity Etc. Etc..Etc. Etc..

SectorSector statisticsstatistics

Tourism

Integrated Information SystemSNA and SEEA

Presenting integrated economic, environmental, andsocial dimensions

Ocean/Marine resources

Adapted from DESA

Agriculture

TradeFisheries 25

Page 26: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Applications

26

Page 27: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

The SEEA is an information system to:1. Compile indicators that highlight the relationships

between the environment and the economy2. Enable analysis of;

• Economic Policy Environment• Environmental Policy Economy

3. And provide a quantitative basis for policy design;• Identify the socio-economic drivers, pressures, impacts and

responses affecting the environment• Support greater precision for environmental regulations and

resource management strategies

Linking Environmental and Socio-Economic DataThe SEEA is an information system to:1. Compile indicators that highlight the relationships

between the environment and the economy2. Enable analysis of;

• Economic Policy Environment• Environmental Policy Economy

3. And provide a quantitative basis for policy design;• Identify the socio-economic drivers, pressures, impacts and

responses affecting the environment• Support greater precision for environmental regulations and

resource management strategies 27

Page 28: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

People and theEnvironmenti.e. Improving access toservices and resources

II. The Economy andthe Environment

i.e. Managing supplyand demand andreducing impacts

The SEEA Policy Quadrants

Sustainability

People and theEnvironmenti.e. Improving access toservices and resources

II. The Economy andthe Environment

i.e. Managing supplyand demand andreducing impacts

III. Ecosystemsi.e. Improving the state ofthe ecosystems

IV. RisksMitigating and

adapting to extremeevents

28

Page 29: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Global SDG Indicators and the SEEA

The SEEA is an important statistical framework formonitoring the SDGs.

The SEEA provides a statistical framework to calculateindicators for many SDGs in an integrated way• Helps support integrated policy decisions and understanding of trade-

offs between different goals

Using the SEEA to calculate SDG indicators can result inhigher quality indicators in terms of;1. Policy Relevance2. Methodological Soundness3. Practicality and Measurability

The SEEA is an important statistical framework formonitoring the SDGs.

The SEEA provides a statistical framework to calculateindicators for many SDGs in an integrated way• Helps support integrated policy decisions and understanding of trade-

offs between different goals

Using the SEEA to calculate SDG indicators can result inhigher quality indicators in terms of;1. Policy Relevance2. Methodological Soundness3. Practicality and Measurability

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System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Integrated SDG Indicators: SEEA

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System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Example: Target 6.4“by 2030…..ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater toaddress water scarcity, and substantially reduce the number of people sufferingfrom water scarcity.”Indicator Proposed: Water Stress

• Ratio of total water withdrawals to available water (total actual renewablefreshwater resources)

Informed provided by Accounts:The asset accounts for water;

• Show changes in stocks of inland water resources over an accounting period, attributingthese either to human or environmental flows

• The use of asset accounts over time will provide key information on water levels, and theextent to which stocks are being depleted over time

• The evolution of the changes in stocks, and in particular the extent to which humanpressures are causing reductions in stocks of water can also be monitored

SEEA-Water can be adjusted to calculate renewable resources

“by 2030…..ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater toaddress water scarcity, and substantially reduce the number of people sufferingfrom water scarcity.”Indicator Proposed: Water Stress

• Ratio of total water withdrawals to available water (total actual renewablefreshwater resources)

Informed provided by Accounts:The asset accounts for water;

• Show changes in stocks of inland water resources over an accounting period, attributingthese either to human or environmental flows

• The use of asset accounts over time will provide key information on water levels, and theextent to which stocks are being depleted over time

• The evolution of the changes in stocks, and in particular the extent to which humanpressures are causing reductions in stocks of water can also be monitored

SEEA-Water can be adjusted to calculate renewable resources

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System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Example: Supporting Integrated Policy

Target 6.5 calls for implementation of integrated water resourcesmanagement;The SEEA can be a tool to facilitate this by bringing together information relevant to thefour key quadrants of water policy objectives;

Target 6.5 calls for implementation of integrated water resourcesmanagement;The SEEA can be a tool to facilitate this by bringing together information relevant to thefour key quadrants of water policy objectives;

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System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Example: Supporting Integrated Policy

Four quadrants of information correspond to these policy objectives:Four quadrants of information correspond to these policy objectives:

This information is bought together in the SEEA-Water accounts in anintegrated way (see next slide)

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System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Example: Supporting Integrated PolicyAccounts Quadrants

Physical Supply and Use Tables: Flows (i.e. volumes) of waterabstracted from the Environment, used in the Economy and dischargedback into the Environment

III

Emissions Accounts: Quantity of water pollutants discharged fromEconomy to Environment; directly or via wastewater through treatment

IIIII

Emissions Accounts: Quantity of water pollutants discharged fromEconomy to Environment; directly or via wastewater through treatment

IIIII

Asset Accounts: Stocks of water resources in the Environment andchanges in those stocks due to natural and economic (i.e. human) causes

II

Combined Presentations: Linking information on water volumes withmonetary information on the production and consumption of water-relatedproducts

III

Economic Accounts: Sources of financing, channels of cost recovery,payment for water rights, etc.

All

Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including theircharacteristics and provision of ecosystem services

IIIIV

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System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Matching SDGs with SEEA accounts (1)

SDGs Targets SEEA accounts Indicators

15.1 by 2020 ensure conservation , restorationand sustainable use of terrestrial andinland freshwater ecosystems and theirservices, in particular forests, wetlands,mountains and drylands, in line withobligations under international agreements

Ecosystem extentaccounts

Proportion of land area covered byforests, wetlands, mountains anddrylands

Ecosystem serviceand condition

accounts

Degradation of designated terrestrialand inland freshwater ecosystems(Decline in the expected ecosystemservice flows/conditions in designatedterrestrial and inland freshwaterecosystems)

by 2020 ensure conservation , restorationand sustainable use of terrestrial andinland freshwater ecosystems and theirservices, in particular forests, wetlands,mountains and drylands, in line withobligations under international agreements

Ecosystem serviceand condition

accounts

Degradation of designated terrestrialand inland freshwater ecosystems(Decline in the expected ecosystemservice flows/conditions in designatedterrestrial and inland freshwaterecosystems)

15.2 by 2020, promote the implementation ofsustainable management of all types offorests, halt deforestation, restoredegraded forests, and increaseafforestation and reforestation by x%globally

Ecosystem extent,service and

condition accounts

Proportion of land area covered byforests

15.3 by 2020, combat desertification, andrestore degraded land and soil, includingland affected by desertification, droughtand floods, and strive to achieve a land-degradation neutral world

Ecosystem extentaccounts

Land used for maintenance andrestoration of environmental functions

Ecosystem serviceand condition

accounts

Degradation of designated land area(Decline in the expected ecosystemservice flows/conditions in designatedland area)

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System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Matching SDGs with SEEA accounts (2)

SDGs Targets SEEA accounts Indicators

15.4 by 2030 ensure the conservation ofmountain ecosystems, including theirbiodiversity, to enhance their capacity toprovide benefits which are essential forsustainable development

Ecosystem service andcondition accounts

Degradation of designated mountainecosystems (Decline in the expectedecosystem service flows/conditions indesignated mountain ecosystems)

15.5 take urgent and significant action toreduce degradation of natural habitat,halt the loss of biodiversity, and by 2020protect and prevent the extinction ofthreatened species

Biodiversity accounts Species abundance indices disaggregated byecosystem types15.5 take urgent and significant action to

reduce degradation of natural habitat,halt the loss of biodiversity, and by 2020protect and prevent the extinction ofthreatened species

Biodiversity accounts Species abundance indices disaggregated byecosystem types

Biodiversity accounts Threatened species disaggregated by IUNCRed List categories

Ecosystem service andcondition accounts

Degradation of designated natural habitatarea (Decline in the expected ecosystemservice flows/conditions in designatednatural habitat area)

15.6 ensure fair and equitable sharing of thebenefits arising from the utilization ofgenetic resources, and promoteappropriate access to genetic resources

Ecosystem servicesaccounts

Provisioning services (genetic resources)provided by designated type of ecosystems

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System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Matching SDGs with SEEA accounts (3)SDGs Targets SEEA accounts Indicators

15.8 by 2020 introduce measures to preventthe introduction and significantly reducethe impact of invasive alien species onland and water ecosystems, and controlor eradicate the priority species

Ecosystem servicesaccounts

Regulatory services (pest and diseasecontrol incluing invasive alien species)provided by designated land and waterecosystems

15.9 by 2020, integrate ecosystems andbiodiversity values into national and localplanning, development processes andpoverty reduction strategies, andaccounts

Ecosystem accounts Country implements and reports on SEEAExperimental Ecosystem Accounting

by 2020, integrate ecosystems andbiodiversity values into national and localplanning, development processes andpoverty reduction strategies, andaccounts

15.a mobilize and significantly increase fromall sources financial resources to conserveand sustainably use biodiversity andecosystems

Environmental protectionexpenditure accounts

Level of national expenditure onenvironmental protection, disaggregated byenvironmental activity domain (biodiversityand ecosystems) and by institutional sector

Level of national expenditure on financeresource management and preservation,disaggregated by environmental activitydomain (biodiversity and ecosystems) andby institutional sector

15.b mobilize significantly resources from allsources and at all levels to financesustainable forest management, andprovide adequate incentives todeveloping countries to advancesustainable forest management, includingfor conservation and reforestation

Environmental protectionexpenditure accounts

Level of national expenditure onenvironmental protection, disaggregated byenvironmental activity domain (sustainableforest management) and by institutionalsector

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System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Key Points

SEEA is an important tool for monitoring the SDGs supportingpolicy towards meeting targets.

The Accounting structure improves robustness to a set ofgeneral criteria for SDG indicators improving quality;Policy relevance: Indicators are supported by organized information whichpromotes a detailed understanding of the drivers of changeMethodological Soundness: SEEA acts as a vehicle for harmonizingmethodological inconsistencies across the environmental data productionprocess, and enables coherent comparison of environment statistics witheconomic statisticsPracticality: SEEA can create efficiencies in the data production process

SEEA is an important tool for monitoring the SDGs supportingpolicy towards meeting targets.

The Accounting structure improves robustness to a set ofgeneral criteria for SDG indicators improving quality;Policy relevance: Indicators are supported by organized information whichpromotes a detailed understanding of the drivers of changeMethodological Soundness: SEEA acts as a vehicle for harmonizingmethodological inconsistencies across the environmental data productionprocess, and enables coherent comparison of environment statistics witheconomic statisticsPracticality: SEEA can create efficiencies in the data production process

Page 39: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

THANK YOU

Page 40: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Resource use and environmental efficiency

Efficiency indicators compare trends ineconomic activity• such as value-added, income or consumption with

trends in specific environmental flows such asemissions, energy and water use, and flows of waste

Intensity indicators -- ratio of the environmentalflow to the measure of economic activity

Productivity indicators -- inverse of intensity.

Efficiency indicators compare trends ineconomic activity• such as value-added, income or consumption with

trends in specific environmental flows such asemissions, energy and water use, and flows of waste

Intensity indicators -- ratio of the environmentalflow to the measure of economic activity

Productivity indicators -- inverse of intensity.

Page 41: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Resource use and environmental efficiency

Efficiency indicators—two broad categories

Environmental efficiency indicators characterise the environmentaland economic efficiency with which pollutants and other residualsgenerated in production and consumption are mitigated, controlledand prevented. They are usually expressed as intensity orproductivity ratios.

Resource efficiency indicators characterise the efficiency with whichnatural resources, including water, energy and other materials areused in production and consumption. They are usually expressed asintensity or productivity ratios. They relate environmental variablessuch as the extraction, supply or consumption of natural resourcesand materials to economic variables such as output, income andvalue added.

Efficiency indicators—two broad categories

Environmental efficiency indicators characterise the environmentaland economic efficiency with which pollutants and other residualsgenerated in production and consumption are mitigated, controlledand prevented. They are usually expressed as intensity orproductivity ratios.

Resource efficiency indicators characterise the efficiency with whichnatural resources, including water, energy and other materials areused in production and consumption. They are usually expressed asintensity or productivity ratios. They relate environmental variablessuch as the extraction, supply or consumption of natural resourcesand materials to economic variables such as output, income andvalue added.

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System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Resource use and environmental efficiency

Environmental efficiency indicators• Greenhouse Gas (GHG) or CO2 productivity• Air pollutant emission intensities• Water pollution intensities

Resource efficiency indicators• Material productivity or intensity indicators• Energy productivity or intensity indicators• Water use productivity or intensity indicators

Environmental efficiency indicators• Greenhouse Gas (GHG) or CO2 productivity• Air pollutant emission intensities• Water pollution intensities

Resource efficiency indicators• Material productivity or intensity indicators• Energy productivity or intensity indicators• Water use productivity or intensity indicators

Page 43: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Resource use and environmentalefficiency-example

Industry level water use intensity indicators

Page 44: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Resource use and environmentalefficiency-decoupling•Absolute: growth in the environmentally relevant variable isflat or decreasing while economic activity increasing•Relative: growth rate of the environmentally relevant variableis positive but less than the growth rate of the economicvariable

•Absolute: growth in the environmentally relevant variable isflat or decreasing while economic activity increasing•Relative: growth rate of the environmentally relevant variableis positive but less than the growth rate of the economicvariable

Page 45: Introduction to the SEEA - United Nations · 2015-09-02 · Ecosystem Accounts: Water-related ecosystems including their characteristics and provision of ecosystem services III IV

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Resource use and environmentalefficiency-decomposition

Decomposition of changes in CO2 emissions

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System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Taxes-exampleEnvironmental tax revenue by type and as % of GDP