Office for National Statistics (ONS), Hazel Trenbirth.
Abstract
This presentation discusses the use of UK environmental monitoring data to assess and value natural capital, which refers to elements of the natural environment that provide essential benefits like food, clean air, and water. By compiling natural capital accounts, the economic and societal value of these resources is estimated, linking environmental health with human and economic well-being. This process relies on environmental condition data following the UN SEEA guidelines across various aspects such as physical, chemical, and structural conditions. However, challenges include gaps in habitat-specific data, lack of consistent time series, reliance on experimental statistics, and the need for standardized monitoring across the UK's four nations. The presentation highlights the importance of integrating robust, comparable data to enhance natural capital accounting and inform sustainable management decisions.