1. Integrated Environmental and Economic Accounting for Water Resources SEEAW Alessandra Alfieri United Nations Statistics Division

2. Outline Why the SEEAW?Why the SEEAW? How was the SEEAW developed?How was the SEEAW developed? For whom was the SEEAW developed?For whom was the SEEAW developed? Implementation of the SEEAW in countriesImplementation of the SEEAW in countries What is SEEAW?What is SEEAW? Structure of the handbookStructure of the handbook The SEEAW and IWRMThe SEEAW and IWRM What is ahead?What is ahead?

3. Why the SEEAW? The revision of the SEEA (SEEA-2003 published by UN, Eurostat, IMF, OECD and the WB) revealed that, while water accounts were compiled by an increasing number of countries, there was little harmonization of practicesThe revision of the SEEA (SEEA-2003 published by UN, Eurostat, IMF, OECD and the WB) revealed that, while water accounts were compiled by an increasing number of countries, there was little harmonization of practices Increased policy interest, methodological advances and country experiencesIncreased policy interest, methodological advances and country experiences

4. How was the SEEAW developed? Outline was developed in cooperation with Eurostat and its Task Force on water accounts and discussed at the London Group meetingOutline was developed in cooperation with Eurostat and its Task Force on water accounts and discussed at the London Group meeting An Electronic Discussion Group was created by UNSD, jointly with UNDSD, to harmonize terms and definitions in water accountsAn Electronic Discussion Group was created by UNSD, jointly with UNDSD, to harmonize terms and definitions in water accounts Eurostat compiled pilot studies on water accounts (2002)Eurostat compiled pilot studies on water accounts (2002) Draft chapters were discussed at LG meetings in 2003 and 2004Draft chapters were discussed at LG meetings in 2003 and 2004

5. How was the SEEAW developed? (2) A Sub Group of the LG was created in 2003 to finalize the handbook and contribute to the EDGA Sub Group of the LG was created in 2003 to finalize the handbook and contribute to the EDG May 2005, meeting of the Sub Group to review the final draft SEEAW and agree on a set of standard tablesMay 2005, meeting of the Sub Group to review the final draft SEEAW and agree on a set of standard tables The current draft include the revisions from the Sub Groups meeting and the AEG recommendationsThe current draft include the revisions from the Sub Groups meeting and the AEG recommendations SEEAW will be submitted for endorsement to the UNCEEASEEAW will be submitted for endorsement to the UNCEEA Eurostat will adopt the Standard Tables for data collectionEurostat will adopt the Standard Tables for data collection

6. For whom was the SEEAW developed? Target audience: Statisticians to compile an integrated information system for integrated analysisStatisticians to compile an integrated information system for integrated analysis Policy makers at macro-level to evaluate trade- offs across the economy and environmentPolicy makers at macro-level to evaluate trade- offs across the economy and environment Policy makers in line ministries taking sectoral decisions but taking into account the big picturePolicy makers in line ministries taking sectoral decisions but taking into account the big picture All interest groups advocating policies on the basis of a transparent and integrated information system.All interest groups advocating policies on the basis of a transparent and integrated information system.

7. Implementation of the SEEAW Worldwide about 25 countries have implemented (part of) water accountsWorldwide about 25 countries have implemented (part of) water accounts 17 developed countries (Australia, New Zealand and 14 EU countries)17 developed countries (Australia, New Zealand and 14 EU countries) 8 developing countries (Botswana, Chile, Mexico, Namibia, the Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, the Republic of Moldova)8 developing countries (Botswana, Chile, Mexico, Namibia, the Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, the Republic of Moldova) 3 have established the institutional arrangements for the project (China, Dominican Republic, Morocco)3 have established the institutional arrangements for the project (China, Dominican Republic, Morocco) Several countries have shown interest in developing SEEAWSeveral countries have shown interest in developing SEEAW

8. Structure of the handbook (1) Chapter 1Introduction Chapter 2The water accounting framework Part I Chapter 3Physical water supply and use tables Provide physical information by industries and households on water abstraction, use and supply within the economy and returns in the environment Chapter 4Emission accounts Provide physical information by industries and households on emissions of substances into water resources through wastewater discharges.

9. Structure of the handbook (2) Chapter 5Hybrid and economic accounts Provide information on the cost associated with water use and supply and on users fees paid. Links between physical flows of water with the economic accounts, financing Chapter 6Asset accounts Provide information on the stock of water resources in the environment and the changes that occur during the accounting period (abstraction, returns, precipitation, evapotranspitration, etc.)

10. Structure of the handbook (3) Part II Chapter 7Quality accounts Provide information on the quality of water in the environment Chapter 8 Valuation of water resources Provides a review of valuation techniques and their consistency with the 1993 SNA valuation. No recommendations

11. Structure of the handbook (4) Chapter 9Examples of policy uses and applications of water account Provides country examples on uses of the accounts (indicators and analysis) Annex ISet of standard tables Annex IISet of supplementary tables Annex IIIWater accounting and water indicators Glossary

12. What is the SEEAW? The SEEAW is a satellite system to the System of National AccountsThe SEEAW is a satellite system to the System of National Accounts StandardStandard Uses of standard definitions, concepts, classifications common to economic accountsUses of standard definitions, concepts, classifications common to economic accounts Ideal for cross-sectoral analysis as it is rooted in the 1993 SNAIdeal for cross-sectoral analysis as it is rooted in the 1993 SNA IndicatorsIndicators

13. Why an accounting approach? Encourages the adoption of standardsEncourages the adoption of standards Introduces accounting concepts to hydrological informationIntroduces accounting concepts to hydrological information Improves both economic and water statistics by encouraging consistencyImproves both economic and water statistics by encouraging consistency Implicitly defines ownership and hence responsibility for environmental impactsImplicitly defines ownership and hence responsibility for environmental impacts Encourages the development of comprehensive data setsEncourages the development of comprehensive data sets Facilitates international comparisonsFacilitates international comparisons Improves integrated analysisImproves integrated analysis

14. Temporal and spatial issues Reconciliation of economic and hydrological dataReconciliation of economic and hydrological data River basin vs. administrative region Accounting vs. hydrological year Inclusion of temporal and spatial variability of water in the accountsInclusion of temporal and spatial variability of water in the accounts Seasonal vs. annual accounts Long-term water cycle

15. The SEEAW and IWRM Key aspects in IWRM that can be addressed by the SEEAW: Allocating water efficiently and improve efficiencyAllocating water efficiently and improve efficiency Understanding the impact of water management on all usersUnderstanding the impact of water management on all users Getting the most value from money from investment infrastructureGetting the most value from money from investment infrastructure Linking water availability to its usesLinking water availability to its uses Getting stakeholders involved in decision-makingGetting stakeholders involved in decision-making

16. Future work Methodological improvementsMethodological improvements Implementation and promotionImplementation and promotion

17. Future work (2) Methodological improvements Social dimensionSocial dimension Quality accountsQuality accounts Water valuationWater valuation Data quality frameworkData quality frameworkHow: Within the mandate of UNCEEA and LGWithin the mandate of UNCEEA and LG

18. Future work (3) Implementation and promotion Development of toolkits (country practices, training material, promotion material, dissemination tools and practices)Development of toolkits (country practices, training material, promotion material, dissemination tools and practices) In-depth analysis of lessons learnt from country experiences in the implementation and use of the SEEAWIn-depth analysis of lessons learnt from country experiences in the implementation and use of the SEEAW Promotion of the SEEAW within the users community at national and international levelPromotion of the SEEAW within the users community at national and international levelHow: RoundtableRoundtable