Establishing the SEEA Ecosystem Accounting as a global standard

In March 2021, the UN Statistical Commission adopted the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting Ecosystem Accounting. The SEEA EA provides detailed guidance measuring the extent and condition of ecosystems, and how to quantify ecosystem services. This paper presents the SEEA EA in terms of the various types of ecosystem accounts, its origins, purposes and applications. A first handbook was published in 2013 followed by a period of testing. A revision process was launched in 2018 involving a wide range of experts in ecology, environmental economics and statistics. They proposed new or updated classifications for ecosystems and ecosystem condition, a reference list of ecosystem services and improved the internal consistency of the different ecosystem accounts. These proposals were reviewed in two global consultation rounds yielding strong support for a standard approach to ecosystem accounting. Finally, the conceptual framework and the physical accounts (extent, condition and services) are adopted as an international statistical standard. The guidance on monetary accounts (ecosystem services, ecosystem assets, sequence of accounts) is considered as internationally recognised principles and recommendations. Countries are encouraged to develop ecosystem accounts for use in policy and decision-making processes in both public and private sector and contribute to its further methodological development.

Automated summary

This article introduces the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA), including its origins, purposes, and applications. The SEEA EA provides detailed guidance on measuring the extent and condition of ecosystems, as well as quantifying ecosystem services. The conceptual framework and physical accounts of the SEEA EA have been adopted as international statistical standards, while the guidance on monetary accounts is considered internationally recognized principles and recommendations. Countries are encouraged to develop ecosystem accounts for use in policy and decision-making processes and contribute to further methodological development.