On December 19, 2023, Eurostat initiated a data collection effort for ecosystem extent accounts for countries that are part of the European Statistical System (ESS). This marks the first official EU data collection on ecosystem accounts, with countries currently being asked to provide data on a voluntary basis.
The data collection adheres to the terms and definitions of SEEA Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA) and additional technical specifications and practical guidance outlined in the Guidance note on ecosystem extent accounts. A key component of the Guidance note is the EU ecosystem typology, developed to ensure consistent and coordinated reporting on ecosystem accounts in the ESS. The Guidance note and typology were developed within the task force on ecosystem accounting, which was established in mid-2021 and involved participation from all EU countries, EFTA countries, and candidate countries.
Following this data collection, there will be additional voluntary data collections for ecosystem services accounts and ecosystem condition accounts in 2024. These voluntary data collections are intended to prepare for future mandatory reporting on ecosystem accounts under the amended EU Regulation on European environmental-economic accounts.
For more information on environmental statistics and accounts within the ESS, please visit the environment statistics section of the Eurostat website.