UNITED NATIONSECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFICSTATISTICAL INSTITUTE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (SIAP)

Introduction to the System of Environmental Economic Accounting (SEEA)Central Framework(e-Learning course)
4 March – 12 April 2024
GuidelineI.

OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE

This course introduces the SEEA Central Framework, the international statistical standards formeasuring the interactions between the environment and the economy. It is comprised of 5 modules.
The first module introduces the SEEA. Modules 2 discusses accounting for physical flows whilemodule 3 discusses accounting for environmental assets. The fourth module contains details on
environmental activity accounts, combined presentations and indicators. The last module contains
an overview of subsystems, applications and extensions.
II.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

Target participants are staff of national statistical offices and other relevant line ministries working
on issues related to the environment. Those interested in learning more about the SEEA are also
encouraged to take the course.
III.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, participants will be expected to:(a) understand what the SEEA is and how it can be used in measuring the interaction between
the economy and environment(b) understand how to compile physical flow accounts, asset accounts and other accounts
relevant to informing policies in the environmental spaceIV.

COURSE DESIGN AND CONTENT

Each module consists of slides with explanations. After all modules have been completed,participants will be required to complete a final test that will cover all modules. The course is
expected to take a maximum of 15 hours to complete. Participants are also expected to attend
weekly webinars. The webinars will provide an overview of the course topics and allow forparticipants to ask questions; more details will be provided at the beginning of the course.
Furthermore, participants are encouraged to actively participate in the online forum of the course.
1Outline
ModuleCoverage

1. Introduction to the SEEA••••

Policy relevance of the SEEA
Introduction to the SEEA Central Framework
Principles and connections with the SNA
SEEA implementation strategy

2. Accounting for physicalflows••••

Principles of physical flow accounting
Physical flow accounts for energy
Physical flow accounts for waterPhysical flow accounts for materials

3. Accounting forenvironmental assets

••
•
•
•

Structure of asset accounts
Principles of asset accounting
Mineral and energy resources
Land, soil and water resources
Biological resources•••

Environmental activity accounts and statistics
Accounting for other environmental transactions
Combined presentations, aggregates and indicators•••

Application of SEEA data
Analytical techniques
Outlook

4. Environmental activity
accounts, combinedpresentations and indicators
5. Subsystems, applications
and extensions

V.

EVALUATIONParticipants must receive a 70% or higher in the test at the end of this course.
Participants will be given 60 minutes to complete the test. They may take the exam up to threetimes and retain their best score. Participants may not work together on the test. The course
facilitator reserves the right to deny course certificates to participants suspected of cheating on thetest.
VI.

SOURCE MATERIAL

This course draws upon various sources, including international statistical standards and casestudies from national statistical offices.

2