Introducing the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) in Russia: Asset Accounts for Forest Resources

The article addresses the issues of introducing the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) in Russia, specifically the problem of creating the asset accounts for forest resources.

It is observed that the introduction of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting 2012 – Central Framework adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission in 2012 is implemented in several stages. Currently, the forest resources that are subject to accounting in Russia include only timber and hunting resources.

The authors underscore the need to expand the list of natural resources for which asset accounts are maintained by incorporating new asset categories: forest lands and recreational forest resources. To create asset accounts for each new category, the article suggests typologies of resources, indicators, their measurement parameters and the calculation formulae. The article also provides references to the information sources and offers asset accounts drafts for each type of resource. Comparing the experiences of creating respective asset accounts in the Republic of Belarus and the Kyrgyz Republic reveals similarities in approaches and potential for enhancing international cooperation.

The authors recommend expanding the set of environmental-economic accounts to embrace other forest resources, which have an economic value and play a significant role in maintaining environmental balance, while developing a common methodological basis for assessing the availability of these resources and trends in their use.

The authors conclude that environmental economic accounting will considerably expand the opportunities for sound managerial decision-making, both at the national and international levels, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

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