SEEA Implementation Guide: Disseminating the accounts
Disseminating the accounts
4. Disseminating the accounts
4.1 Disseminating the accounts—some good practices
4.2 Identifying the main users of the accounts and their information needs
4.3 Country examples
4.4 Useful reference materials
4. Disseminating the accounts
This section focuses on some of the good practices around disseminating the accounts, identifying the main users of accounts and their information needs, and outlines a few country examples and useful reference materials.
4.1 Disseminating the accounts—some good practices
The SEEA accounts are technical in nature, and non-specialists might have difficulties using the accounts as-is and without further processing. As such, it is important for compilers to produce outputs that can be easily used by the various user groups of the accounts. Collaboration with colleagues specializing in communication and dissemination can help in developing the appropriate outputs. This section will focus on some of the good practices around disseminating the accounts. However, it may also be useful for the steering committee to draft a user engagement strategy providing overall guidance on communication and dissemination of the accounts.
A mechanism for regular engagement with users could be through the establishment of a broader stakeholder group comprised of representatives from major user groups of the SEEA accounts. The stakeholder group should be engaged on a regular basis (including by providing input into the prioritization of accounts) to ensure that user demands are met and that the accounts are mainstreamed into policy and decision making.
4.2 Identifying the main users of the accounts and their information needs
Identifying the broad categories of users can be a useful step in understanding what information users need from the accounts and in what format they need that information. For instance, some users may need data at a relatively aggregated level, whereas others may be more interested in micro data for specific geographical areas.
One of the most important user groups for the accounts will be policy analysts in line ministries. The link between SEEA information and policy discussions will be reflected in the preparation of aggregates and indicators derived from a SEEA account, or the use of accounting data as input into scenario models. Thus, while it is normal for SEEA compilers to focus on measurement and compilation challenges, it is also important that compilers think ahead about the construction and presentation of relevant aggregates and indicators.
The figure below provides a high-level on the SEEA accounts informing communication materials, and table provides some further details on the various user groups, their typical data needs, common outputs and activities/avenues for the users to access the outputs. More information can also be found in the SEEA Communication Strategy.
|
User group |
Typical data needs |
Typical outputs/ products |
Activities/means for user groups to accessing the outputs/products |
|
Leaders of NSOs, environmental agencies and other high-level officials from line ministries |
Key indicators and aggregates accompanied by explanatory text. |
Case studies Presentation at high level meetings Social media posts Reports |
Intergovernmental forums Conferences and seminars High level meetings Informal networks Social media |
|
Government officials (policy and planning ministries staff) |
Accounts and detailed information/tables derived from the accounts that can be used in policy formulation and modeling exercises. Indicators accompanied by explanatory text. |
Presentation at high level meetings Social media posts Case studies Policy briefs Web content Reports |
Intergovernmental forums Conferences and seminars Social media Web presence |
|
Members of scientific bodies and academia (meteorological, geospatial, etc.) |
Accounts and detailed information/tables derived from the accounts that can be used in research and further analysis |
Newsletter Reports Social media posts Web content |
Conferences and seminars Web presence Social media |
|
NSO and environmental agency staff |
Accounts and detailed information/tables derived from the accounts. Indicators accompanied by explanatory text. |
Newsletter Social Media posts Reports Web content |
Conferences and seminars Workshops and trainings Web presence Social media |
|
Journalists |
Key indicators and aggregates with explanatory text. |
Press kit/”Why SEEA” publication SEEA brochures Media releases, talking points and interviews with SEEA members about specific accounts Social Media posts Web content |
Conferences and seminars High level meetings with press presence Social media Web presence |
|
Business leaders and private sector analysts |
Accounts and detailed information/tables derived from the accounts that can be used in for business decisions. Key indicators and aggregates with explanatory text. |
Case studies of private enterprise accounts Web content Social Media posts Reports |
Conferences and seminars Social media Web presence |
|
NGO staff |
Key indicators and aggregates with explanatory text. |
Newsletter Social Media posts Web content |
Web presence Workshops Conferences and seminars Social media |
|
Civil society/ public at large |
Key indicators and aggregates with explanatory text. |
Social Media posts Web content
|
Web presence Social media |
4.3 Country examples
- Costa Rica: The Central Bank of Costa Rica prepared several very informative infographics on the energy account, material flow account, and environmental protection expenditure account.
- India: Video launched as part of the Natural Capital Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services (NCAVES) India Forum.
- Ireland: Introduction to Natural Capital Accounting video prepared by Natural Capital Ireland.
- Kenya: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) included the energy account in their annual Economic Survey publication.
- Malaysia: The Department of Statistics of Malaysia (DOSM) has produced a video that introduces the SEEA to a non-technical audience. The video is part of web content they have developed and can reach different audiences such as the public at large and journalists.
- Mexico: Policy brief prepared by INEGI and other national agencies.
- South Africa: Several national agencies organized a very successful South Africa First Natural Capital Accounting Forum and published a policy brief.
4.4 Useful reference materials
The following materials can be used to explain the SEEA and its uses to non-technical users. They are freely available on the SEEA website and can be adapted for national use.
- The SEEA at a Glance
- The SEEA and the SDGS
- Integrated data for integrated policies
- Mainstreaming biodiversity
- Creating integrated climate change policies
- Finance a sustainable future