The SEEACF: A Global Perspective on Environmental-Economic Accounts

2. The SEEA Central Framework: A Global Perspective Jessica Ying Chan Environmental-Economic Accounts Section United Nations Statistics Division

3. Overview The SEEA Central Framework in context Integrating information of the SEEA Policy applications of the SEEA UN Committee of Experts on Environmental-Economic Accounting SEEA Implementation Country examples Challenges, limitations, discussion items

4. The SEEA Central Framework in context

5. The System of Environmental Economic Account (SEEA) • The SEEA Central Framework (SEEA CF) was adopted as an international statistical standard by the UN Statistical Commission in 2012 to measure the environment and its relation with the economy. • The SEEA Experimental Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EEA) complements the Central Framework and represents international efforts toward coherent ecosystem accounting. Work is currently underway on a revision of SEEA EEA.

6. Two Different Perspectives SEEA Experimental Ecosystem Accounts: Ecosystem assets (spatially based) SEEA Central Framework: Individual environmental assets/ resources Timber Water Soil Fish Forests Lakes Agricultural areas Ecosystem Assets are environmental assets viewed from a systems perspective

7. The SEEA Methodology Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism

8. Technical Notes • SEEA Technical Notes developed as requested by the UN Statistical Commission • EGSS, EPEA, MFA, Air Emissions, Water, Energy and Forest • Aim is to provide concise information to initiate the compilation of priority accounts; references are also provided • Minimum reporting requirements • Contain core tables and accounts • Combined presentation tables: Key information in one table for dissemination and calculation of indicators • Countries can begin implementation based on priorities • Relevant to the compilation of indicators, including SDGs.

9. Integrating information of the SEEA

11. Integration within SEEA-CF • Primary motivation for SEEA-CF is effective integration of environmental and economic data • Various SEEA-CF accounts capture different types of information • Need to understand how the information in these accounts link together in one integrated system of information • Strength of SEEA-CF: consistent application of accounting rules, principles and boundaries in organization of physical and monetary information

12. Four Key Areas of Integration • Linking flows of goods and services in physical and monetary terms • Linking changes in the stock of environmental assets with use of extracted natural resources as inputs to economic production, consumption and accumulation • Connection between the measures of production, consumption and accumulation in monetary terms and measures of flows of income between sectors • Identifying specific economic activities undertaken for environmental protection or resource management purposes

13. Integrating physical & monetary SUT Same product classification Same groupings of economic units

14. Core tables and combined presentations – energy example

15. Policy applications of the SEEA

16. Indicators based on standards Frameworks to coherently integrate information: • Indicators based on Standards • Higher quality • International comparability • Comprehensive basis for (dis)aggregation • Standards for Statistics • Aligned definitions and classifications • Improved capacity to compare and/or combine statistics from different sectors • Basis for coherent and comprehensive data sets

17. Streamlined reporting Methodological Consistency resulting from implementation of the SEEA reduces reporting burden of national ministries/agencies: • Single data system to inform indicators • Data compiled once for many purposes • Reduced need for countries to make arduous data adjustments for international reporting • Facilitates streamlined reporting process for reporting initiatives • Consistent definitions, classifications and spatial units at national and international level allows for direct transmission of information MINISTRY 1 I MINISTRY 2 I MINISTRY 3 Common Interface National Statistical System/Office based on SEEA and SNA INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES’ REPORTING INITIATIVES

18. The SEEA and the SDGs The SEEA supports 40 indicators for 9 SDGs GOAL 2: Zero Hunger GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production GOAL 14: Life Below Water GOAL 15: Life on Land

19. The SEEA Enables a Transformative Biodiversity Agenda Aichi Target 2 Post-2020 global biodiversity framework A consistent monitoring framework Helps make the case for protecting biodiversity by showing links to well-being Provides information on the drivers of biodiversity loss Can help track effectiveness of investments and policies aimed at biodiversity protection

20. The SEEA and Climate Change SEEA accountssupportanintegrated approach toclimatechange Valuable complement to GHG inventories and the IPCC framework Necessary for understanding issues such as climate footprint of different economic activities Illustrates the vulnerabilities of different economic sectors to climate impacts Provides information on the current level of expenditures on climate mitigation and adaptation UN Photo/NektariosMarkogiannis

21. The UN Committee of Experts on Environmental Economic Accounting

22. UN Committee of Experts on Environmental-Economic Accounting • Established by UN Statistical Commission at 36th session in 2005 • Functions as an intergovernmental body to provide overall vision, coordination, prioritization and direction in environmental economic accounting and supporting statistics • Three broad objectives • Mainstream environmental-economic accounts and supporting statistics • Elevate the SEEA to an international standard • Advance country implementation

23. Current priorities Coordination Mainstreaming the SEEA in reporting initiatives Quality assurance of SEEA training materials Methodology Revision of SEEA EEA SEEA CF Research Agenda Data Development of global databases Creation of central repository for datasets on seea.un.org Capacity building Supporting implementation, capacity building events, technical assistance Global Assessment on Environmental-Economic Accounting and Supporting Statistics Communication Core set of communication materials Development of narratives

25. SEEA implementation

26. SEEA Implementation Strategy • Joint strategy for SEEA Central Framework and Experimental Ecosystem Accounts OBJECTIVES: • Establishment of technical capacity for regular reporting on a minimum set of SEEA accounts • Adoption of the SEEA as a measurement framework for sustainable development • Mainstreaming of SEEA implementation in countries as part of the modernization of the statistical production process TARGETS FOR 2020 • 100 countries with ongoing programmes on SEEA Central Framework • 50 countries initiating work on SEEA Experimental Ecosystem Accounting

27. SEEA Implementation Guide • Introductory and overview document • Broad direction and support to national level implementation • Recognizes differences between countries and regions in choice of accounts, institutional contexts etc. • Reflects implementation lessons learned from past compilers • Promotes awareness of key implementation issues and risks • Has two primary audiences: Producer and Sponsor

28. Diagnostic Tool - Overview • Tool to support discussions on the implementation of SEEA – particularly in making initial assessment • Eight areas in line with the logic of the implementation guide • A guide only • Order of areas may vary • Questions and additional considerations apply differently

29. Approach to National Implementation Training and Capacity Building Communication and Advocacy

30. SEEA around the world

31. SEEA in Africa • Currently 15 countries in Africa have compiled accounts; 9 others planning to compile accounts • Global Assessment 2017: Top priorities in developing countries, including those in Africa, include water, energy, AFF, air emissions • Current initiatives in Africa: • UNSD NCAVES project • World Bank Waves Partnership: Botswana, Egypt, Madagascar, Morocco, Rwanda, Zambia • Conservation International: Working in close collaboration with the Gaborone Declaration for Sustainability in Africa on ecosystem accounting—Botswana, Gabon, Liberia

32. Country examples

33. Kenya Project country under the Development Account project (2015-2017), led by UNSD Desire to move away from a silo approach for each sector, towards integration of data National assessment identified energy accounts as a priority Energy demand increasing Shift from dependence on hydro-power to geothermal sources Private investment in renewable and non-renewable power generation Ease of data collection—mostly administrative UN Photo/NektariosMarkogiannis

34. Kenya KNBS coordinated SEEA implementation Ensured buy-in at highest level from principal secretaries, director generals of government agencies, other senior civil servants High level committee and subject-matter working groups to steer development and compilation Outcomes: Regular publication of physical energy supply and use tables in Economic Survey, beginning in 2019 Enhanced institutional coordination Greater communication with users to identify applications of the accounts UN Photo/NektariosMarkogiannis

35. Uganda Also project country under the Development Account project, led by UNSD Recognized need to establish cross-sector and multi-stakeholder generated information and data to efficiently and effectively monitor integrated policies To move from silo to integrated approach, Uganda created a multi-phased national plan Awareness raising campaigns National assessment, which included all stakeholders Data assessment, preliminary collection of available data, data sharing agreements Initial compilation of accounts Continuous data collection, regular compilation, dissemination UN Photo/NektariosMarkogiannis

36. Uganda National assessment identified water, forest and energy accounts as priorities Completed 2015 pilot water accounts Physical supply and use table Compiled for 15 water intense industries and households UN Photo/NektariosMarkogiannis

37. Challenges, limitations, discussion items

38. Issues for discussion • What are the main policy priorities in your country? How can the pilot accounts help inform them? • Managing the implementation process – what are the main issues/impediments in your country? • Undertaking compilation —what have been the technical and institutional challenges in compilation? • Communication – how to best communicate the benefits of the SEEA to different stakeholders?