The London Group operates as a pivotal city group under the auspices of the United Nations Statistical Commission, dedicated to fostering the methodological progression of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA). Every year, this group convenes to engage in rich discussions regarding the latest research, significant advancements, and pressing challenges related to the SEEA’s implementation across various nations.
This year’s meeting was notably attended by roughly 60 participants hailing from 17 different countries, primarily representing national statistical offices. Additionally, there were important contributions from international organizations and esteemed academic institutions, highlighting the collaborative spirit of this global effort.
Central to this year’s agenda was the discussion surrounding the update of the SEEA Central Framework (SEEA CF), a proposal that received the green light from the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC) in March 2024. Anticipation runs high that the updated SEEA CF will be presented for endorsement to the UNSC again in March 2028. Members of the London Group proactively prepared and shared draft papers addressing crucial topics such as the treatment of human-induced flows within the environment, the complexities of emission trading schemes, and the intricacies of taxes and subsidies updates. Further discussions focused on accounting methods related to climate change mitigation and adaptation expenditures, the role of water within the SEEA CF framework, the definitions and scope of natural capital, and comprehensive soil accounts. The insights and feedback gathered during these discussions will be instrumental in refining these drafts. The finalized versions of these papers are set to directly influence the tasks of various teams designated to draft guidance notes for the SEEA update; it is expected that London Group members will actively participate in these relevant task teams.
Future London Group meetings have already been scheduled to take place in Tallinn, Estonia in 2025, with the event to be hosted by Statistics Estonia, followed by a meeting in Guatemala in 2026, hosted by Banco de Guatemala. These upcoming gatherings will provide a vital platform for in-depth discussions on the critical issues pertinent to the SEEA Central Framework update, alongside opportunities to share valuable experiences and address methodological challenges concerning the SEEA Ecosystem Accounting.
For access to all meeting papers and presentations, visit the meeting website: London Group on Environmental Accounting, 30th Meeting | System of Environmental Economic Accounting