SEEA
The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) is the global statistical standard for integrating nature and the economy into a single accounting framework, linking ecosystems and natural capital to economic activity.
System of Environmental-Economic Accounting
Also Known As / Other Names: SEEA Central Framework, SEEA Ecosystem Accounting
SEEA is the international statistical standard adopted by the UN, EU, FAO, OECD, and World Bank to measure the environment’s contribution to the economy and the economy’s impact on the environment. It provides a consistent methodology for compiling data on natural capital, ecosystem services, and environmental assets in line with the System of National Accounts (SNA).
It includes two main components:
- SEEA Central Framework: Focuses on environmental stocks (like water, timber, minerals) and flows (like energy, emissions).
- SEEA Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA): Expands to track ecosystems, biodiversity, and ecosystem services in physical and monetary terms.
|
Type |
Statistical standard / accounting framework |
|
Jurisdiction |
Global (UN-adopted) |
|
Sector Relevance |
Governments, central banks, businesses, environmental statistics, natural capital accounting |
Established / Active Since
2012 (Central Framework adopted as a statistical standard), 2021 (SEEA Ecosystem Accounting adopted by the UN Statistical Commission).
Maintained By / Organised By
United Nations Statistical Division (UNSD), in collaboration with UNCEEA (United Nations Committee of Experts on Environmental-Economic Accounting).
Official Resources
Relationship to Lemu
SEEA provides the statistical and methodological foundation for natural capital accounting, directly aligning with Lemu’s mission to make nature visible in economic and business decisions. Atlas can support SEEA implementation by providing geospatial and biodiversity indicators that enrich environmental-economic accounts.