The System of Natural and Economic Accounting of Forest Resources: International Standards and Adaptation Challenges

Abstract

The article addresses the stages towards the establishment of methodological base for the environmental-economic accounting at the global level and the adoption of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) 2012 - Central Framework as the first international statistical standard in this area. The structure of the system of environmental-economic accounting in the context of the types of accounts in accordance with the SEEA Central Framework is considered. The approach of grouping accounts by thematic modules with an emphasis on the Forest module is also presented, the problem areas are identified when using this approach. Using the example of the current Belarusian legislation, an attempt has been made to describe the possible boundaries of the Forest module if it is formed in the Republic of Belarus.

The trends in building of environmental-economic accounts in countries around the world, which are based on the results of global assessments conducted by the United Nations Statistics Division, are analyzed. In addition, the author discussed the background and problems for the build of environmental-economic accounts for forest resources in the Republic of Belarus. Examples of early national studies and their reflection in current practice when publishing data are presented. The national legislative, institutional, methodological and information bases that can contribute to the build of accounts are analyzed. Short conclusions are made about the possibilities of forming environmentaleconomic accounts for the forest resources in the country.