THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SYSTEM OF ENVIRONMENTAL-ECONOMIC ACCOUNTING FOR ENERGY, SEEA-ENERGY Ole Gravgård Pedersen, Statistics Denmark IAOS Conference on Official Statistics and the Environment Theme 3: Integration of Environmental Information – Frameworks, Standards and Classifications Santiago, Chile, October 2010

2 SEEA-Energy A new standard/information system on energy resources and on how energy is produced and used in the economy Covering a broad spectrum of energy issues An UNSD statistical standard within the UN suite of standards and publications

SEEA-ENERGY and some other members of the UNSD family 2008 SNA System of National Accounts IRES International Recommendations for Energy Statistics SEEA-Water SEEA System of Economic-Environmental Accounting UN Accounting Frameworks: UN Frameworks for Basic Statistics: Basic statistics Accounts Aggre- gates ISIC SIEC UNFC UN Classifications: SEEA-Energy

4 SEEA-Energy, SEEA and 2008 SNA SEEA-Energy uses the 2008 SNA and SEEA tool box Methods, terminology, definitions and classifications are the same, e.g. - resources, products and residuals - residence principle However, the specific characteristics of energy (e.g. measuring units) is taken into account More precise/comprehensive than SEEA when it comes to energy Focus on links between accounts Asset (stock) accounts and flow accounts Physical accounts and monetary accounts

5 SEEA-Energy, energy statistics and balances SEEA-Energy is based on - and have much in common with - energy statistics and energy balances, but not exactly the same scope and coverage SEEA-Energy has more focus on –The economic activities (as in National Accounts) –Monetary transactions related to energy (consistent with physical flows) –Less emphasis on technologies –More emphasis on uses of energy Presentation and focus are different Link to IRES, the International Recommendations for Energy Statistics

6 Main areas of SEEA-Energy Stock accounts (asset accounts) in physical and monetary units Flow accounts in the form of supply and use tables for energy products in physical and monetary units Hybrid accounts combining physical and monetary accounts Monetary 2008 SNA type accounts for economic activities and transfers related specifically to energy extraction, energy production and energy use Applications of the energy accounts

7 SEEA-Energy - Chapters Chapter 1 + 2: Introduction and Framework Chapter 3: Physical asset accounts Chapter 4: Monetary asset accounts Chapter 5: Physical flow accounts Chapter 6: Monetary and hybrid flow accounts Chapter 7: Applications

Example: SEEA-Energy supply table for energy

Example: SEEA-Energy use table for energy

10 Use and usefulness of SEEA-Energy Low cost extension of energy statistics and balances Complete and coherent presentation of energy issues with focus on economic activities Accounting principles with checks and balances leads to completeness and improved quality Consistency across time and countries Basis for economic-energy analysis and modelling Basis for (SEEA-) emissions accounts Basis for consistent indicators

Example of use of SEEA-Energy Decomposition of energy use and emissions by underlying factors Changes in Danish CO 2 - emissions Note: The CO2-emissions are exclusive of emissions related to bunkering abroad and burning of biomass

SEEA-Energy vs. Energy Statistics SEEA-Energy (residence principle) Energy statistics (territory principle) Danish Energy Use – GJ per million DKK GDP

13 A statistical standard within the UN statistical system International agreed framework for organization of data concepts definitions classifications reporting by (inter-related) tables and accounts universal relevance applicability and feasibility of implementation consensus Coherence and consistency – internally and externally (SEEA, SNA, ISIC, IRES, etc.) Established and maintained through a world wide consultation process

14 Some challenges for SEEA-Energy Bridging energy statistics/balances and energy accounts Coherent terminology Coherence across different accounts Universal relevance, applicability and feasibility of implementation Balance between ambitions and feasibility Establishing a transparent process involving all stakeholders

15 Where are we and what remains? So far: Part of UNSD work programme The main part of the drafting has been done Remaining work: Finish drafting Expert Group Meeting on Energy Accounts and Statistics World-wide consultation Adoption by the UN Statistical Commission Implementation in countries !

16 More information on SEEA-Energy