1 Research agenda London Group (New York, June 2006)

2 Overview BackgroundBackground General issuesGeneral issues Scope of the update of the SEEA-2003Scope of the update of the SEEA-2003 Coverage of the SEEA-2003Coverage of the SEEA-2003 Link with the 1993 SNA and BPM6 – how close?Link with the 1993 SNA and BPM6 – how close? Issues by chaptersIssues by chapters Timeline/calendar of eventsTimeline/calendar of events

3 Background One of the UNCEEA’s objective is:One of the UNCEEA’s objective is: To elevate the SEEA to an international standard by 2010 Link the release of the SEEA with other standards (SNA, BPM6, ISIC, CPC, etc.)Link the release of the SEEA with other standards (SNA, BPM6, ISIC, CPC, etc.) SEEA-2003 major step forwardSEEA-2003 major step forward But, need more work to harmonize concepts and methodsBut, need more work to harmonize concepts and methods

4 What has been done? Develop a preliminary list of issues based on contributions received from various group active in environmental-economic accounts and related statistics:Develop a preliminary list of issues based on contributions received from various group active in environmental-economic accounts and related statistics: Environmental accounts (London Group, MFA)Environmental accounts (London Group, MFA) national accounts and balance of payments (AEG, BOPCOM, ISWGNA, OECD National Accounts meetings, TFHPSA, etc.)national accounts and balance of payments (AEG, BOPCOM, ISWGNA, OECD National Accounts meetings, TFHPSA, etc.) Environment statistics (ISWGEnv. Stats.)Environment statistics (ISWGEnv. Stats.) Energy statistics (Oslo Group, ISWGEnv.Stats.)Energy statistics (Oslo Group, ISWGEnv.Stats.)

5 What has been done? (2) Issues are organized according to:Issues are organized according to: Cross-cutting issuesCross-cutting issues Organized by chapters of the SEEA-2003Organized by chapters of the SEEA-2003 New issuesNew issues Issues are classified according to whetherIssues are classified according to whether Long-term (relevant but agreement cannot be reached by 2008)Long-term (relevant but agreement cannot be reached by 2008) Short-term (completed by 2008)Short-term (completed by 2008)

6 Scope of the handbook Considering that the SEEA 2010 will be a statistical standard: Should country practices and examples be included in the SEEA?Should country practices and examples be included in the SEEA? Should compilation and implementation issues be addressed? If not where should they be addressed?Should compilation and implementation issues be addressed? If not where should they be addressed? At what level of detail should standard tables be developed?At what level of detail should standard tables be developed? Should performance and impact indicators be included?Should performance and impact indicators be included?

7 Links with the 1993 SNA – how close? There exist different approaches than the SEEA-2003, in particular embraced by environment and energy statisticsThere exist different approaches than the SEEA-2003, in particular embraced by environment and energy statistics Main differences in the approaches are:Main differences in the approaches are: Residence vs. presence principleResidence vs. presence principle Treatment of mobile sourcesTreatment of mobile sources How should the SEEA-2003 address these differences?

8 Where are we? Have already agreed on organizations /individuals that will lead the research agenda by chapters/issuesHave already agreed on organizations /individuals that will lead the research agenda by chapters/issues London Group has discussed most of the issues in the research agenda, in particular:London Group has discussed most of the issues in the research agenda, in particular: Can the issue be solved by 2008?Can the issue be solved by 2008? Process for solving the issues (who will do what, when, with whom, time frame)Process for solving the issues (who will do what, when, with whom, time frame) Are there missing issues in the list?Are there missing issues in the list?

9 What next? Finalize a detailed list of issues with contributors and time schedule for solving themFinalize a detailed list of issues with contributors and time schedule for solving them Prepare a programme of work with time schedule for addressing the issue and process to address itPrepare a programme of work with time schedule for addressing the issue and process to address it LG members to prepare issue papers according to an agreed structure for discussion at next LG meetingLG members to prepare issue papers according to an agreed structure for discussion at next LG meeting Outcome papers summarizing the conclusions of the Group submitted to UNCEEAOutcome papers summarizing the conclusions of the Group submitted to UNCEEA Submit outcome papers to the UNCEEASubmit outcome papers to the UNCEEA

10 Timeline Revise and finalize the list of issues (end 2006?)Revise and finalize the list of issues (end 2006?) Identify issues to be resolved between now and mid 2008Identify issues to be resolved between now and mid 2008 Revise the handbook mid 2008 to end 2009Revise the handbook mid 2008 to end 2009 SEEA 2010 submitted to UN Statistical Commission in March 2010SEEA 2010 submitted to UN Statistical Commission in March 2010 SCHEDULE IS VERY TIGHT => UNCEEA to evaluate it whether it can be doneSCHEDULE IS VERY TIGHT => UNCEEA to evaluate it whether it can be done

11 Calendar of events February 2007 ± London Group meeting (South Africa)February 2007 ± London Group meeting (South Africa) April 2007 ± Oslo Group (India)April 2007 ± Oslo Group (India) June 2007 ± UNCEEA meetingJune 2007 ± UNCEEA meeting November 2007 ± London Group meetingNovember 2007 ± London Group meeting June 2008 ± London Group and UNCEEA meeting (back-to-back)June 2008 ± London Group and UNCEEA meeting (back-to-back) MFA Group? Eurostat Task Forces? DIMESA Meetings?

12 Additional issues Editor ?Editor ? to bring together results of discussion on issues in a single handbookto bring together results of discussion on issues in a single handbook To bring together chapters written by group of authorsTo bring together chapters written by group of authors Characteristics of the editor:Characteristics of the editor: Knowledgeable of environmental and national accountsKnowledgeable of environmental and national accounts Capable of reaching consensusCapable of reaching consensus ImpartialImpartial Funding for the editorFunding for the editor

13 Questions to the UNCEEA? 1.What is the view of the UNCEEA in terms of the scope of the SEEA? a.Country practices and examples? b.Compilation and implementation practices? c.Standard tables ? d.Accounting identities and aggregates? e.Specific resources? f.Sectoral approaches? 2.What is your view in terms of the linkages between the SEEA and the SNA? How to address the differences? 3.How can the UNCEEA cope with the tight time schedule? 4.Do we need an editor?