E-mail: karl@schoer.net Issue list for the compilation of the SEEA-MFA manual Points for discussion Eurostat MFA taskforce meeting Luxemburg 6-7 March 2008 Karl Schoer E-mail: karl@schoer.net

Overview Background - General structure of the manual - The system of PSUT and IOT tables - General standard classifications - General supply and use tables Main issues for discussion regarding EW-MFA - Supply and use of material by material categories - Supply and use of products (exports and imports) by type of product - Use of natural resources and ecosystem inputs by type - Supply and use of residuals by type

Standard SEEA-MFA classifications for products and industries - Basis: The CPC will be used for products and the ISIC for industries. - A specific environment related standard breakdown should be defined for both classifications. For that purpose the 1-digit, 2-digit or 3-digit level should be used selectively in order to show the most environmentally relevant products or industries separately. The general standard breakdown will serve as a frame for integrating all sub-modules of the material flow accounts and the monetary reference figures. - Additionally it is proposed to develop more specific disaggregations for the individual sub-modules. - Standard breakdown will necessarily be a compromise between the requirements of different environmental themes as well as data availability - Harmonization with the specific physical flow accounts modules on energy and water.

EW-MFA: classification for imported and exported products In principal the general standard SEEA-MFA classification for products applies also for imports and exports. But for the purpose of the EW-MFA a specific aggregation was developed in order to compare the import and export flows with the domestic extraction of natural resources. As the EW-MFA – after being harmonised with the general material flow accounts – will play a rather central role for the system as it comprises all flows related to the exchange between the economy and the environment whereas the other sub-modules are rather confined to specific materials or activities, a harmonization of the specific EW-MFA product classification with the proposed standard classification of products appears to be necessary and should be considered. That may call for more disaggregation of the EW-MF classification in order to allow for segueing from the EW-MFA breakdown to the SEEA-MFA standard breakdown.

General standard classification for natural resource flows London Group Rome 2007: The LG recommended to use to use the already existing classification of the SEEA 2003 and the classification developed for the EW-MFA of Eurostat as a starting point. The higher degree of detail of the EW-MFA classification should be used. However in the LG meeting the question was raised whether the item the cultivated aquatic resources which appears not in the EW-MFA classification should be addressed. To be elaborated by UN consultant in cooperation with the specific LG sub-group. Discussion in the March Eurostat MFA TF