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STRENGTHENING INDICATORS AND ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS FOR NATURAL CAPITAL
Key Messages of Chapter 3
Ecosystems and biodiversity are our stock of ‘Natural Capital’ – they lead to a flow of benefits that support
societal and individual well-being and economic prosperity. We do not measure this capital effectively
enough to ensure its proper management and stewardship. Without effective monitoring we will not
understand the scale of the challenge or the nature of the response. Indicators feed into aggregate
measures and are an integral component of accounting systems. Without suitable indicators or
accounting, we lack a solid evidence base for informed policy decisions.
We already have a large amount of existing data, indicators and methods for accounting; there is huge
potential for progress. What we lack is an implementation mechanism that makes best use of and
produces maximum results from available information to feed into global discussions. A science-policy
interface is essential for such implementation and could be provided through the Intergovernmental
Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). In support of this process,
the following improvements are urgently needed:
Improving the measurement and monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystem services
Headline indicators are needed now to set and monitor specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timespecific
(SMART) biodiversity and ecosystem services targets. These indicators should address the status of
phylogenetic diversity (genetic diversity between species), species’ populations, species’ extinction risk, the
quantity and ecological condition of ecosystems/biotopes and flows in related benefits. The status indicators
should be part of an interlinked framework of driver, pressure, state, impact and response indicators.
More field data are required from biodiversity-rich countries. Some monitoring can be carried out by remote
sensing (e.g. for deforestation) but more ground surveys are required (e.g. for degradation). Data are vital not
just for monitoring but also for economic evaluation and designing effective policy instruments, particularly for
defining ‘baselines’ and taking informed decisions. A select dashboard of indicators needs to be developed
for policy makers and the public that takes biodiversity into account.
More effort is needed especially to develop indicators of ecosystem services. Further research is urgently
required to improve understanding of and develop better indicators on the link between biodiversity and
ecosystem condition and the provision of ecosystems services. However, the need for research should not
prevent the selection and use in the short term of headline indicators for biodiversity and ecosystem services
targets that can be refined later.
Better macro-economic and societal indicators
More effort is needed to use macro-indicators that take natural capital into account. The ecological footprint
is a valuable concept for policy objectives and communication. The EU’s Beyond GDP process is piloting
an environmental index for use alongside GDP and launching macro indicators to communicate key issues
on sustainable development. The Stiglitz-Sen-Fitoussi Commission on the Measurement of Economic
Performance and Social Progress supports indicators and the need for well-being measurement in macroeconomic
policy and sustainable development.
Adjusted Income and Consumption aggregates reflecting under-investment in ecosystem maintenance and
over-consumption of natural resource and ecosystem services should be introduced as international
TEEB FOR NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL POLICY MAKERS - CHAPTER 3: PAGE 2