Development and Stre

This book is a product of the Regional Public Goods Program of the Interamerican Development Bank: “Development and Strengthening of Official Environment Statistics through the creation of a Regional Framework in Latin America and the Caribbean”. (RG-T2012). Opinions expressed in this book comes from the authors and do not necessarily correspond with the point of view of the Interamerican Development Bank, its Executive Directorate, the countries the Bank represents neither the National Institute of Statistics and Geography. This publication was prepared for the Regional Public Goods Project by the consultant Mónica Luz Ureña, using as a base the works prepared carried out by the consultants Alejandro Eduardo Guevara Sanginés and César Sigifredo Morales Estupiñán. DR © 2018, Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo

1300 New York Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20577. Estados Unidos de América

Index

Acronyms

Acknowledgements

Introduction 1

Chapter I. Regional diagnosis of the official environment statistics situation 3

1. Current state and progress in the generation of environment statistics 5

1.1 The paradigm of environment 5

1.2 Regulatory frameworks of environment statistics 8

1.3 Environmental and economic accounting systems 12

1.4 Diagnoses background and challenges of the environment statistics in LAC 14

2. Self-diagnosis application 19

3. Self-diagnosis application results 20

3.1 Institutional dimension of environment statistics 20

3.2 Section of the questionnaire about environment statistics production 35

3.3 Section of the questionnaire about statistical topic level 52

3.4 Current programs for basic environment statistics 57

3.5 Environmental accounting 62

4. Conclusions of the diagnosis of the situation of environment statistics 67

Chapter II. Strategy and action plan 69

1. Building the strategy 71

2. Strategy mission and vision 72

3. Strategic axes 74

3.1 Strategic axis I: Institutional development 75

3.2 Strategic axis II: Strengthening and expanding production, dissemination

and promotion of environment statistics use 78

3.3 Strategic axis III: Building capacities to support the development and

strengthening of environment statistics in the region 81

3.4 Strategic axis IV: Strengthening regional and subregional cooperation, as

well as cooperation between countries and institutions. 82

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

4. Action Pan 84

4.1 Action Plan for Strategic Axis I: Institutional development 84

4.2 Action Plan for Strategic Axis II: Strengthening and expanding production,

dissemination and promotion of environment statistics use. 86

4.3 Action Plan for Strategic Axis III: Building capacities to support the

development and strengthening of environment statistics in the Region. 89

4.4 Action Plan for Strategic Axis IV: Strengthening regional and subregional

cooperation as well as cooperation between countries and institutions. 90

Chapter III. Training plan on official environment statistics 93

1. Introduction and justification of the regional training plan 95

2. Relevant pedagogical concepts related to training processes 97

2.1 Basic concepts about the learning process 97

2.2 Motivation: central element for learning 98

2.3 Learning approaches 99

2.4 Adults learning 100

2.5 Learning by doing 101

2.6 Training modalities 101

2.7 Individual and institutional training 101

3. Objectives and scope of the plan 102

3.1 Objectives of the plan 102

3.2 Scope of the plan 102

4. Target population of the training plan 103

5. Conceptual framework of the regional training plan in official environment

statistics 104

5.1 Preliminary considerations 104

5.2 Pedagogical approach 105

5.3 Conceptual approach 105

5.4 Methodological approach 105

5.5 Training evaluation and certification 106

5.6 Final considerations related to the conceptual model proposed 108

6. Training plan curriculum 109

7. Proposal for curriculum implementation 111

7.1 Implementation by target population groups 111

7.2 Implementation of the curriculum at the initial level 112

7.3 Implementation of the rest of the curriculum 114

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

8. Estimated cost of the training plan 116

8.1 Estimated cost according to the proposed implementation of the

curriculum 116

8.2 Estimated cost according to the number of countries participating in

training 118

9. Final considerations about the training plan 119

Annex 121

Annex I. Responsibles for the completion of the diagnosis questionnaire 121

Annex II. Administrative-political division of each country of the project 123

Annex III. Criteria for defining the priority level in data collection 124

Annex IV. Information on international cooperation projects or events 125

Annex V. Curriculum 129

References 141

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

Acronyms

BEST Bahamas Environment Science &Technology Commission

CARICOM Caribbean Community

CSD

DANE

DSR

DPSIR

EC

Commission on Sustainable Development

National Administrative Department of Statistics (Colombia)

Driving force-State-Response

Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response

European Commission

ECLAC Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

FAO

FDES

GBS

GHG

GIS

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Framework for the Development of Environment Statistics

General Bureau of Statistics (Suriname)

Greenhouse Gas

Geographic Information System

IDB Inter-American Development Bank

IMF

INEGI

International Monetary Fund

National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Mexico)

LAC

MDGs

Latin America and the Caribbean

Millennium Development Goals

NEPA National Environment and Planning Agency

NSO

OECD

PSR

SDGs

SDI

SEEA

National Statistics Office

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

Pressure-State-Response

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Indicators

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

UN United Nations

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

UNECE

UNIDO

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

United Nations Industrial Development Organization

UNSD United Nations Statistics Division

USD United States Dollar

WB World Bank

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

Acknowledgements

The National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) of Mexico is deeply grateful for

the collaboration on the Project from national institutions, as well as the participation of

international agencies. This collaboration allowed for a multitude of contributions, ranging from

the diligence of the self-diagnosis questionnaire on the status of environment statistics, to the

review and validation of various documents, through the participation in consultants’ selection

procedures, as well as reflections and analyses during workshops.

The National Statistics Offices that participated were:

1. Department of Statistics of Bahamas

2. National Administrative Department of Statistics (Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística, DANE), Colombia

3. National Institute of Statistics and Census (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos, INEC) of Costa Rica

4. National Statistics Office (Oficina Nacional de Estadística, ONE) of the Dominican Republic

5. National Institute of Statistics and Census (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos, INEC) of Ecuador

6. Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN)

7. National Institute of Statistics and Census of Panama

8. General Bureau of Statistics (GBS) of Suriname

9. National Statistics Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estadística, INE) of Venezuela

The Environment Ministries that participated were:

1. Bahamas Environment Science and Technology Commission (BEST)

2. Department of Environment of Belize

3. Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia (MIAMBIENTE)

4. Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica (MINAE)

5. Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Dominican Republic

6. National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) of Jamaica

7. Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico (SEMARNAT)

8. Environment Ministry of Panama

9. National Institute for Environment and Development (NIMOS) of Suriname

10. Ministry of Popular Power for Eco-Socialism and Water of Venezuela (MINEA)

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

The international agencies that offered technical assistance were:

1. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)

2. United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)

3. The United Nations Statistics Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNSD)

In addition, it is pertinent to thank the enthusiasm with which the following people offered their ideas and joined a collective creation effort:

1. Clarice Ann Turnquest from the Department of Statistics, Bahamas

2. Brendalee Dulce Adderley from the Department of Statistics, Bahamas

3. Samantha Shanique Miller from the Bahamas Environment Science and Technology Commission

4. Edgar Ek from the Department of Environment of Belize

5. Elena Rodríguez Yate from the National Administrative Department of Statistics of Colombia

6. Juliana Rodríguez Naranjo from the National Administrative Department of Statistics of Colombia

7. María Elena González Quesada from the National Institute of Statistics and Census of Costa Rica

8. Fabio Herrera Ocampo from the National Institute of Statistics and Census of Costa Rica

9. Álvaro Aguilar Díaz from the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica

10. Alma Vargas de González from the National Statistics Office of the Dominican Republic

11. Natividad Martínez Solano from the National Statistics Office of the Dominican Republic

12. Patricio Devers Espino from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic

13. Carla Ballesteros Tamayo from the National Institute of Statistics and Census of Ecuador

14. María José Murgueitio Tamayo from the National Institute of Statistics and Census of Ecuador

15. Christian Alberto Cando López from the National Institute of Statistics and Census of Ecuador

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

16. Janet Geoghagen-Martin from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica

17. Schmoi Mellecia McLean from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica

18. Carlos Guerrero Elemen, General Head of the Project, from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography of Mexico

19. Martín Wilson Sánchez, Technical Coordinator of the Project, from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography of Mexico

20. Francisco Jiménez Nava from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography of Mexico

21. Shellsea Alejandra Becerra Espinosa from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography of Mexico

22. Jorge Arturo Flores Ochoa from the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico

23. Georgina Alcántar López from the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico

24. José Branca Requenes from the National Institute of Statistics and Census of Panama

25. Neyra Yanet Herrera Marín from the Environment Ministry of Panama

26. Anjali Kisoensingh from the General Bureau of Statistics of Suriname

27. Donovan Bogor from the National Institute for Environment and Development (NIMOS) of Suriname

28. José Rafael López Garnier from the National Statistics Institute of Venezuela

29. Dinoira Yurdit Moreno Perdomo from the National Statistics Institute of Venezuela

30. Luis Amado Ibarra Lobo from the National Statistics Institute of Venezuela

31. Pablo Ramón Arias Bello from the Ministry of Popular Power for Eco-Socialism and Water of Venezuela

32. Rayén Quiroga Martínez from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

33. Birgit Altmann from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

34. Reena Shah from the United Nations Statistics Division

35. Juan Carlos Bello Silva from the United Nations Environment Program

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

It is also necessary to thank Janine Perfit and Benjamín Santa María, IDB officials, for the

valuable work done in the follow-up and management of the Agreement (ATN/OC-13080-RG)

that provided the financial resources without which the Project would not have been possible.

Likewise, thank you to the consultant Enrique Alcides López Reyes, for the commitment

with which he assumed his duties as Project Officer during almost the entire process [contratos

C-065/14; C-061/15; C-230/15; C-081/16; C-111/17; C-190/17].

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

1

Introduction

Under the impetus of an initiative of the Working Group of Environment Statistics of ECA-

ECLAC, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as sponsor, and the National Institute of

Statistics and Geography of Mexico (INEGI) as executing agency, an agreement was undertaken

for the granting of a non-reimbursable technical cooperation, the goal of which was to finance

the implementation of the Project “Development and Strengthening of Official Environment

Statistics through the creation of a Regional Framework in Latin America and the Caribbean”.

The objective of the Project was defined as collectively promoting the strengthening of

the official systems of environment statistics of the participant countries from Latin America and

the Caribbean (LAC): Bahamas, Belize, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Republic of Colombia,

Republic of Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Republic of Ecuador, Jamaica, Republic of Suriname

and United Mexican States.

Map 1. Countries participating in the Regional Public Goods project

Source: Author’s preparation

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

2

The specific objectives of the Project were established as follows:

i) Generate a diagnosis of the current status of environment statistics programs to

develop and enhance them by improving their technical quality;

ii) Promote coordination at the national level between institutional actors related to

statistics, indicators, and environmental accounts;

iii) Strengthen regional collaboration to promote the standardization and comparability

of common environment statistics.

The Project was articulated on the following components:

Component 1. Diagnosis of the current state of environment statistics in Latin America

and the Caribbean.

Component 2. Creation of a Regional Strategy and Action Plan for the development and

strengthening of environment statistics.

Component 3. Development and validation of a methodological and technical Toolkit.

Component 4. A Regional Training Plan on Environment Statistics.

Component 5. Publications.

Component 6. Final Seminar.

The present publication, A Regional Framework for the Strengthening of Official

Environment Statistics, is the product of component 5 of the Project and contains the results of

components 1, 2 and 4.

In addition, component 5 generated another publication, Toolkit for the Strengthening of

the Official Environment Statistics, according to content contained in component 3.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

3

Diagnosis of the

environment

statistics situation

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

5

Chapter I. Regional diagnosis of the official environment statistics situation

1. Current state and progress in the generation of environment statistics

1.1. The paradigm of environment

The United Nations Conference on Human Environment, held in Stockholm in 1972,

named First Earth Summit, is the first record of international recognition of the relevance of the

environment to human beings. This conference stressed the need for environmental concerns

to be incorporated into the whole of economic and social policies.

Since then, several initiatives have been created for the development of environment

statistics, including the meetings of the European Economic Commission of the United Nations

(1973), at which requests for funding to the United Nations Statistics Division were made by the

United Nations Statistical Program, for the coordination and development of environmental

statistics and programs.

The notion that environmental sustainability and economic development are not

opposing forces was later incorporated in the First World Commission on Environment and

Development meeting, held in 1984, in response to an urgent call from the United Nations

General Assembly to establish A Global Agenda for Change. The conviction that a more

prosperous, fairer and safer future can be built for humanity was reflected in the Our Common

Future report, known as the Brundtland Report, elaborated by the World Commission on

Environment and Development in 1987. The report compiled common international worries

about the environment, as well as a new proposal regarding the relationship between the

environment and economic development. The importance of this document lies not only in the

act of launching the concept of sustainable development, defined as development that meets

the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations, but also lies in

the fact that said concept was subsequently incorporated into all United Nations programs.

Notably, it became the main thrust for the second Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in

1992.

Since the second Earth Summit in 1992, the United Nations has invited governments and

other societal actors to develop indicators and generate information related to sustainable

development. This has led to individual countries giving more relevance to environmental

information generation and to the elaboration of Agenda 21, a document that recognizes the

responsibility of each country to elaborate sustainable development models.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

6

In 2002, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (third Earth Summit) held in

Johannesburg (Republic of South Africa), the importance of having easily accessible statistical

systems relevant to policy development was reiterated.

At the fourth Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 2012 (United Nations Conference on

Sustainable Development, Río+20), the relevance of environmental sustainability was

highlighted, associating issues such as the eradication of poverty through a sustainable economy

and the creation of an institutional framework of environment development. This framework

focuses on three dimensions: economic, social and environmental. In addition, a focus on tasks

established by the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development such as strengthening

policies to integrate statistics at global, regional, national and local levels, was created.

On September 25, 2015, 193 world leaders committed their countries to 17 world

objectives named “Sustainable Development Goals” (SDGs), which consider several principles

directly associated with the environment. Among them, sustainable production and consumption

patterns, sustainable use of oceans and seas, and appropriate management of marine resources

and terrestrial ecosystems, including actions to halt or revert desertification, land degradation

and biodiversity loss.

SDGs pay special attention to the need for urgent actions regarding climate change, one

of the major challenges of our time, which jeopardises the survival of many societies and the

biological systems that support them. SDGs also consider complementary objectives related to

the environment, such as ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and

sanitary services and sustainable access to energy.

During the XXI Conference on Climate Change held in Paris in December 2015, the Paris

Agreement was negotiated within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention

on Climate Change, establishing measures for the reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emissions

(GHG) through the mitigation, adaptation, and resilience of ecosystems, in relation with Global

Warming.

Faced with these challenges, the signatory states recognized that a solid alliance of

individuals, governments, civil society, and the private sector is necessary, aimed at ensuring an

optimal future for present and future generations. To address the challenges posed by

environmental management, decision makers at all levels require more accessible and timely

information, so the generation of quality environment statistics is increasingly necessary.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

7

Photo 1. Dam for public water supply, Mexico

Source: INEGI (Mexico)

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

8

1.2 Regulatory frameworks of environment statistics

Environment statistics show the status of and changes in environmental conditions, the

availability and quality of natural resources, and the impact of human activities and natural

events. They also provide information on societal responses and the economic measures

designed to prevent, avoid, or mitigate environmental impacts, to recover and to sustain

essential environmental services’ capacities for people’s lives and well-being. Environment

statistics cover a broad conceptual spectrum, are multidisciplinary by nature and are based on a

wide variety of methodologies and information sources. They require the participation and

coordination of several institutions and represent a supply for the elaboration of economic-

environmental accounting.

The first antecedent of a framework for organizing environment statistics is the STress-

Response Environment Statistics System (STRESS), developed by Statistics Canada. This system

assumes that human activity generates pressure on ecosystems and that ecosystems respond to

that stimulus. Under this premise, an information system should be set up to monitor human

activities in relation to key issues, while at the same time register indicators related to ecosystem

responses.

Photo 2. Solid urban waste final disposal site, México


A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

9

In 1984, the United Nations Statistics Division developed a Framework for the

Development of Environment Statistics (FDES) whose purpose was to serve as a referential

common framework for countries, in relation to the unification of concepts and methods for the

elaboration of said statistics. It should be noted that this first version of the FDES was developed

with a similar logic to the Pressure-Response System, establishing a sequence of information

organization, which links human activity with impacts on the environment and consequent

reactions. In addition, the Statistics Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for

Europe (UNECE) developed environment statistics classifications, while at the same time the

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Statistics Office of the

European Union (Eurostat) were given the task of collecting data and calculating development

indicators.

The STRESS system gave rise to the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) model, which

recognizes that human beings apply pressures on the environment, which induce changes in its

state. At the same time, societies respond to pressures and changes through policies and

programs aimed at reducing the negative impact of human activity on the environment. In 1996,

the Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD) developed the Driving Forces-State-

Response (DSR) based on the PSR model, adapting it to the thematic axes of Agenda 21. This

framework was eventually abandoned because it was not adapted to show the complex links

between variables, creating ambiguities and demonstrating an inability to properly identify the

existing relationships between indicators and sustainable development policies. However, this

initiative resulted in a set of Sustainable Development Goals, first published in 2001 and reviewed

in 2007, and currently consists of a set of indicators related to the three pillars of sustainable

development (economic, social and environmental).

The European Environment Agency later developed the Driving Force-Pressure-State-

Impact-Response (DPSIR) model, adapting the PSR model, based on the argument that driving

forces cause pressures on the environment that eventually degenerate it, impacting human

health and ecosystems, which can induce human responses to reduce these negative effects. In

2013, the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) published a new Framework for the

Development of Environment Statistics (FDES) with the goal of making it an integral tool for

monitoring, measuring, analysing, and assisting in policy decisions regarding the environment.

In the framework provided by the FDES, the conceptual scope of environment statistics

encompasses biophysical aspects of the environment as well as aspects of the socioeconomic

subsystem that affect the status and quality of the environment and environmental changes. It

also includes ecosystem interactions and considers earth as the limited space for the

development of natural ecosystems, habitats and the range of human activities; and which

contains underground resources that supply raw materials and energy sources, after their

extraction and use.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

10

The conceptual framework also includes definitions about waste generation and

management and their impacts on the environment, as consequences of consumption and

production processes. It recognises that certain activities can often cause environmental

modifications, such as resource depletion and environment degradation, which in turn can

induce negative impacts for human well-being. In contrast, mechanisms for environmental

protection and natural resources management may reduce negative impacts on the

environment.

In this way, FDES first level structure is articulated on six components, represented in

Figure 1.

Figure 1: Environment Statistics Components

Source: Framework for the Development of Environment Statistics, 2013.

The FDES review is an effort to integrate new policy issues and conceptual developments

that have emerged since its creation. Issues such as climate change, Millennium Development

Goals, Green Economy and Green Growth initiatives, natural capital, ecosystem approaches and

biodiversity and ecosystem economy have become very relevant in the international context.

They have generated new information requirements, which consequently created the need to

adapt the framework to this new context.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

11

It is important to mention that the FDES was adapted to consider the importance that

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have in the development of environment statistics as a

tool that makes it possible to associate information with different spatial units, which is

particularly important in the context of environmental information.

Photo 3. Solid urban waste final disposal site, with special waste (tires) management. México


A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

12

1.3 Environmental and economic accounting systems

Environment and economic accounts systems began in 1993, with the National

Accounting Manual: integrated environmental and economic accounting, and they constitute a

relevant user of environment statistics. This system incorporates flows between the environment

and the economy, accounting stocks of natural resources and their changes over time. The

system also accounts for the costs associated with environmental degradation and natural

resources depletion, in accordance with National Accounting Systems. Below is a description of

this system and some of its derivations.

System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA 2012)

SEEA is “an international statistical standard for economic and environmental accounting”

(UN-EC-IMF-FAO-OECD-WB, 2012:2) jointly developed by various international organizations.1

This system establishes interrelations between environmental variables and the economy,

measuring the state and variation of environment asset stocks, expressed in physical and

monetary terms. Like the FDES, SEEA 2012 is a product of review of previous accounting systems,

namely the National Accounting Manual: integrated environmental and economic accounting of

1993 and 2003, as well as SEEA 1993 and SEEA 2003.

SEEA presents an accounting structure that establishes asset accounts, expresses the

physical assets and flows of the environment in physical and monetary terms, delimits economic

units, as well as accounting rules and principles. SEEA also establishes how to integrate and

present environmental accounts (UN-EC-IMF-FAO-OECD-WB, 2012).

SEEA-Experimental Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA-EEA)

The Experimental Ecosystem Accounting 2012, which is part of the System of

Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA), is an effort by some international institutions to

develop an ecosystem accounting framework, including marine and atmospheric ecosystems,

that provides a common set of concepts and classifications of environmental goods and services,

both in physical and monetary terms, with emphasis on a spatial context, both at national and

subnational level (UN-EC-IMF-OCDE, 2013)1.

SEEA-EEA incorporates the most current knowledge of the relationship between

environmental assets. The system is complementary to the frameworks referred to above. SCAE-

EEA is a consistent system with both MDEA and SEEA, that adds the importance of the spatial

approach.

1 United Nations, Europe Commission, International Monetary Fund, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and World Bank.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

13

SEEA-Water

Like SEEA-EEA, SEEA-Water is a complementary system to SEEA with an emphasis on

water. It presents definitions, concepts, classifications, tables and common principles for the

integration of environmental accounts in the subject of water.

Photo 4. Urban wastewater treatment plant, Mexico


A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

14

1.4 Diagnoses backgrounds and challenges of the environment statistics in

Latin America and the Caribbean

Previous regional studies regarding the state of environment statistics exist, including

Environment Statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean: progress and perspectives from R.

Quiroga (2005) and Status of the situation of environment statistics in Latin America and the

Caribbean in 2008: progress, challenges and perspectives from K. Taboulchanas and F. Fernández

(2009).

These pioneering studies highlight the fundamental aspects of the state of environment

statistics in the region, as well as their evolution. They help create an image of the challenges

that exist.

Photo 5. Urban wastewater treatment plant, Mexico


A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

15

As Mercado and Lopez (2014) point out, the generation of environmental information is

recent if it is compared with economic, demographic and social information generation. This

implies that there are many unresolved difficulties related to its generation or that the actions

taken by the countries to solve them are still emerging.

Important challenges in the development of environment statistics were identified in the

literature review. The main challenges are briefly described below:

i) Differences in the regulatory frameworks

According to Quiroga (2005), most countries use a framework of environmental

components. This approach is relatively simple to establish, where large categories and

subcategories are created to sort environmental information. However, these frameworks do not

consider the relations between different types of information. As a result, they are unable to

provide information about, for example, the impact of economic activity on the environment.

In this context, the first identified challenge was the heterogeneity in existing regulatory

frameworks used by countries that generate environment statistics. The diversity of existing

frameworks may lead to inconsistences between countries, for example, in the type of variables

and the organisation of information, which can prevent the ability to integrate the various

frameworks in the future.

ii) Lack of institutional connection

According to Mercado and Lopez Pérez (2014), almost every country has created a

ministry (or agency) that specifically addresses environmental issues, which has been useful in

strengthening worldwide environmental information generation.

As Quiroga (2005), UNEP/GRID-Arendal (2009) and Mercado and Lopez (2014) and others

point out, administrative records often exist and can potentially be compiled in an environmental

information system; however, these records are regularly dispersed across various government

agencies, which rarely share data. There is a need to develop inter-institutional coordination

mechanisms that allow for the flow of administrative records, for later systematization by

national statistics offices.

In this context, in the absence of effective coordination mechanisms, the systematization

of administrative records in an environment statistics regulatory framework, is proceeding more

slowly than it could be. The use of administrative records for statistical purposes is not immediate

and sometimes not feasible, so a detailed study is necessary in each case to accurately assess its

potential.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

16

iii) Spatial and temporal distribution of natural phenomena related to environment

statistics

The spatial and temporal nature of the phenomena related to the environment is not

necessarily consistent with the temporal cycles and geographic spaces related to human activities

and their administrative demarcations, which can, in some cases, prevent using the same

approaches used to establish the frequency and spatial delimitation of sociodemographic and

economic information.

iv) Lack of regularity of environment statistics

Sometimes, even if environmental information is generated on certain topics at the

national level, it is done irregularly. For example, a survey or census is sometimes carried out for

a specific purpose or its execution depends on the availability of financial resources. This lack of

regularity in the generation and compilation of environmental information causes uncertainty

regarding the generation of new data, often resulting in insufficient data for decision making. The

execution of a survey or census depends on the availability of financial resources, which may not

be made consistently available.

v) Lack of knowledge

There is still widespread ignorance on the part of political actors and those responsible

for environmental management on the casual links between human activity and its impact

(positive or negative) on the environment. In many countries there are significant gaps in the

information collected and analysed, which may significantly impact or even prevent the efficient

identification of what information should be privileged. Effective and accurate knowledge

generation is a long and costly process that requires the participation of several sectors of

society, such as academia and civil society.

There have been significant efforts to generate information regarding the links between

ecosystem services and human activities. The “Ecosystem and Biodiversity Economy” initiative

(TEEB, 2010) provided relevant information about the economic value of ecosystem goods and

services. These estimations are relevant for global decision-making, but there is still a need to

generate regular information that is disaggregated and broader in scope. The studies that serve

as a basis for information generation typically have a very specific focus, making it difficult to

apply the data to other contexts. The challenge is, therefore, to use a basic statistics generation

approach to make the information generated through these studies compatible for application

in a variety of contexts.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

17

vi) Lack of access to information

Principle number 10 of the Rio Summit (UN, 1992) states:

Environmental issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned citizens, at

the relevant level. At the national level, each individual shall have appropriate access to

information concerning the environment that is held by public authorities, including

information on hazardous materials and activities in their communities, and the

opportunity to participate in decision-making processes.

According to Taboulchanas and Fernandez (2009), prior to 2009 the most common means

of dissemination of information among Latin American countries were PDF and Excel tables,

which could not be consulted on demand. In addition, only Mexico and Venezuela had online

platforms for consulting environment statistics. The widespread use of information technology

continues to lag in the region, to be discussed in more detail below.

vii) Lack of economic and human resources

Limited economic and human resources are a problem frequently mentioned in studies

carried out in the Region on the status of environment statistics. This topic is notably referred to

by Quiroga (2005), Taboulchanas and Fernandez (2009) and Taboulchanas (2013). It should be

noted that there are not only insufficient resources, but the technical skills of staff are sometimes

considered insufficient to produce accurate environment statistics. At the same time, countries

face information requirements from different international agencies, which sometimes puts

additional pressure on already scarce staff (Taboulchanas, 2013).

viii) Supply and demand of environment statistics

Quiroga (2005) argues that the supply of environment statistics is not enough to

guarantee its use in decision-making and points out that building the demand for this kind of

statistics at different levels of government is just as important as its development. In this sense,

the use of environment statistics should transcend the environmental sector and influence

decisions in every sector of society that affects or is affected by changes in the environment. For

example, consider agricultural policy, which is generally based on a production approach.

Although environmental concerns are increasingly considered, there continue to be policies, such

as certain subsidies, that increase rather than decrease pressure on natural resources.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

18

Environment statistics can play an important role in policy formulation and follow-up by

demonstrating in a systematic and rigorous way how increased pressure factors on ecosystems

caused by certain types of policies can eventually reduce the economic benefits of particular

activities. Thus, a regulatory framework that clearly and unambiguously establishes the

relationship between pressure factors and changes in the state of natural resources can be a

strong argument for correctly targeting these types of policies.

ix) Absence of metadata

The large volume of information generated in recent years associated with information

technologies has significantly increased the importance of “information of information”.

Metadata are essential for organizing, distinguishing and identifying the usefulness of statistical

information. However, the importance of generating “information of information” involves costs

in terms of time and effort. In a regional context, metadata standardisation is of vital importance

to ensure the international comparability of environment statistics, which can be as important

as establishing a common regulatory framework.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

19

2. Self-diagnosis application

As was previously mentioned, the project aimed at assessing the current levels and

organization of environment statistics in the 11 participating countries, from which a strategy

and action plan could be implemented to strengthen this domain in the region. To collect the

relevant data, a questionnaire was designed and distributed to the participant countries. The

data collected were then analysed to identify and characterise the circumstances in which the

various institutions conduct their work.

The questionnaire was designed using advances pioneered by both the United Nations

Statistics Division (UNSD) and DANE of Colombia. It should be noted that an essential reference

of the questionnaire, the Environment Statistic Self-Assessment Tool (ESSAT) developed by the

United Nation Statistics Division, was in the process of construction by the time the questionnaire

used in this project was designed, so the ESSAT version used was preliminary.

The questionnaire gathered the specific reflections and proposals raised during the Initial

Workshop of the Technical Committee of the Project, held in April 2014 in Mexico City. Likewise,

it expresses in some way what was developed by the INEGI from Mexico, conceptual terms to

generate the technical specifications that guided the diagnosis. In addition, reference terms that

were used also took into account the considerations of the Working Group on Environment

Statistics of ECA-ECLAC.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

20

3. Self-diagnosis application results

The results presented below correspond to the 11 countries participating in the Project:

Bahamas, Belize, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica,

Panama, the Republic of Colombia, the Republic of Costa Rica, the Republic of Ecuador, the

Republic of Suriname and the United Mexican States.

3.1 Institutional dimension of environment statistics

Institutional dimension refers to required factors for the improvement and strengthening

of the production, dissemination, and use of essential environment statistics for national and

regional development. This includes the legal framework, inter-institutional arrangements,

certainty in the resources distribution and technical regulations among other aspects which

guarantee the prevalence and continuity of institutions and projects.

i) National Statistics legal framework and organization

In the countries of study, a favourable legal and institutional framework to produce

national statistics is observed. Apart from Bahamas and Jamaica, each country has an institution

with a legal mandate for the generation of official statistics, as well as a national statistical system

and a statistics development plan.

Table 1. Institutional framework of national statistics

Institutional Dimension

Existence of institutions with legal mandate for the

development of official statistics

Existence of a national statistical system

Existence of a plan for the development of the

national statistical system

Bahamas ✓ X X

Belize ✓ ✓ X

Colombia ✓ ✓ ✓

Costa Rica ✓ ✓ ✓

Ecuador ✓ ✓ ✓

Jamaica ✓ X ✓

Mexico ✓ ✓ ✓

Panama ✓ ✓ ✓

Dominican Republic

✓ ✓ ✓

Suriname ✓ ✓ X

Venezuela ✓ ✓ ✓

Total 11 9 8

Note: ✓=Yes X=No

Source: Author’s preparation based on the Self-Diagnosis Questionnaire on the Situation of Official

Environment Statistics 2014.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

21

ii) Official environment statistics legal framework and organization

The following map shows the institution, National Statistics Office (NSO) or Ministry of

Environment with a legal mandate to produce official environment statistics.

Map 2. Institution with legal mandate to produce official environment statistics

Source: Author’s preparation based on the Self-Diagnosis Questionnaire on the Situation of Official Environment

Statistics 2014.

The emerging nature of environment statistics is expressed by the fact that only half the

consulted countries reported having implemented a national environment statistics system. This

is illustrated in Map 3, below. This is in stark contrast with the situation of other national statistics

systems (including demographic, social and economic domains) in the participant countries, as

discussed above.

Despite this limitation, most countries have a current plan for the generation of

environment statistics and have created an area exclusively dedicated to the management of

projects on environment statistics.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

22

Map 3. Existence of a National Environment Statistics System

Map 4. Existence of a National Environment Statistics Plan/Program

Source: Author’s preparation based on the Self-Diagnosis Questionnaire on the Situation

of Official Environment Statistics 2014.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

23

Table 2. Institutional framework of environment statistics

Institutional dimension

Existence of a national system of environment

statistics

Existence of a plan to develop environment

statistics

Existence of a department dedicated exclusively to environment statistics

Bahamas X X X

Belize X X X

Colombia ✓ ✓ ✓

Costa Rica ✓ ✓ ✓

Ecuador ✓ ✓ ✓

Jamaica X NS NS

Mexico ✓ ✓ ✓

Panama X ✓ ✓

Dominican Republic

X ✓ ✓

Suriname X X X

Venezuela ✓ ✓ ✓

Total 5 7 7

Note: ✓=Yes X=No NS= Not-specified



Another indication of the relative disadvantage of environment statistics in relation to

other domains of official statistics is that only four of the eleven countries included environment

statistics at the same hierarchical level as social and economic statistics.

Considering that environment statistics is a relatively new subject in the field official

statistics production, and support more financial and institutional limitations than other fields as

was mentioned earlier, none of the participating countries qualified the level of progress of their

environment statistics program as achieving higher than initial or intermediate progress.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

24

Map 5. Existence of a department, division or unit dedicated exclusively to

environment statistics production

Map 6. Environment statistic unit location in the National Statistics Office

Source: Author’s preparation based on the Self-Diagnosis Questionnaire on the Situation of Official Environment Statistics 2014.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

25

Table 3. Location of the environment statistics unit and level of progress of the environment statistics program in participating countries

Institutional dimension

Level of progress of the national environment statistics program

Location of the environment statistics unit at the National Statistic Office

Bahamas Non-existent Other

Belize Initial stage The unit does not exist

Colombia Intermediate stage At the same level of economic and social statistics

Costa Rica Intermediate stage Other

Ecuador Intermediate stage At the same level of economic and social statistics

Jamaica Initial stage At the same level of economic and social statistics

Mexico Intermediate stage At the same level of economic and social statistics

Panama Intermediate stage Within economic statistics

Dominican Republic

Initial stage Within social statistics

Suriname Non-existent Within economic statistics

Venezuela Intermediate stage At the same level of economic and social statistics


Statistics 2014.

iii) Human and financial resources allocated to the area of environment statistics

The information reported indicates that the production of environmental information in

the National Statistics Offices of the participating countries is overseen by seventy-six people in

total, an amount deemed insufficient for the scope and complexity of the task. Six of eleven

countries reported employing between one and eight people in this activity. Ecuador, Mexico

and Colombia rank highest in this area, assigning an average of 19 people to these tasks, while

the remaining countries (Belize and Surinam) did not report employing any staff in this area.

Regarding the various Ministries of Environment, similar or greater limitations in staffing

was reported, with a total of 47 people across 11 participating countries assigned to statistical

production activities. Mexico reported the highest number with 34 people; five countries

reported between one and four employees assigned to environment statistics production, while

the remaining countries did not report allocating any employees to this activity.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

26

Although the total number of staff in the National Statistics Offices is higher overall, they

tend to be less qualified. The percentage of staff with a bachelor’s degree or higher is

approximately 43 per cent, compared with 83 per cent in the Ministries of Environment. It is

important to note that the percentage of staff members within the National Statistics Offices that

do not have a bachelor’s degree at minimum is significant. A lack of adequate qualifications has

very serious implications on the execution of complex tasks, such as conceptual, methodological

and technical tasks that are required for the production of statistical information.

Table 4. Human resources assigned to the generation of environment statistics

Country

Bachelor’s degree

Master PhD Other None Total

NSO ME NSO ME NSO ME NSO ME NSO ME NSO ME

Bahamas 2 NS 0 NS 0 NS 0 NS 0 NS 2 NS

Belize NS 1 NS 1 NS 0 NS 2 NS 0 NS 4

Colombia 0 NS 4 NS 0 NS 13 NS 0 NS 17 NS

Costa Rica 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3

Ecuador 1 NS 4 NS 0 NS 16 NS 0 NS 21 NS

Jamaica 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1

Mexico 8 24 4 1 0 3 7 6 0 0 19 34

Panama 3 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 6 3

Dominican Republic

0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2

Suriname NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS

Venezuela 2 NS 1 NS 0 NS 5 NS 0 NS 8 NS

Total 16 30 17 6 0 3 42 8 1 0 76 47

Note: NSO: National Statistics Office ME: Ministry of Environment

NS: Non-specified



A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

27

In addition, only six of the countries in the study reported operating with a budget aimed

to environment statistic production. Two main issues were identified: 1) the apparent

insufficiency of financial resources assigned to environment statistics units, mainly from the

Environment Authority, and 2) the financial heterogeneity reflected among the countries under

study.

Figure 1 represents the financial resources allocated to the environment statistics units

from 2010 to 2014 in current dollars (USD). Only six countries provided this information to the

study, and it was possible to collect the amount of financial resources for the six countries only

for the last two years of the time series. In 2014, Ecuador was the country that allocated the most

financial resources to the environment statistics units, followed by Colombia. In this ranking, the

budgets of the Dominican Republic and Panama were the last and penultimate respectively.

Figure 1. Regular budget allocated to the environment statistics units by the National Statistics Offices

Note: Amounts converted to dollars according to the annual average current exchange rate issued by

the World Bank


Statistics 2014.

Figure 2 shows the budgets in constant dollars; from this perspective, almost all the

countries were in the same place in the ranking, with the exception of Venezuela, which in

current dollars exceeded Mexico in the last two years and in real dollars was only higher than the

Dominican Republic.

0

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

600000

700000

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Am

eri

can

D

ollars

(Current prices)

Ecuador

Colombia

Mexico

PanamaVenezuela

Dominican

Republic

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

28

Figure 2. Regular budget allocated to environment statistics unit by the National Statistics Offices (in constant prices, 2010)

Note: Amounts deflated according to the Consumer’s Price Index (CPI) base 2010=100 figured by the

World Bank for each country.



iv) Inter-institutional collaboration to produce environment statistics

The importance of inter-institutional collaboration from the perspective of growth and

strengthening of environment statistics programs is clear. Official environment statistics are, in

many cases, still insufficiently positioned and even misunderstood. There are many challenges

related to the fact that many issues and variables remain to be completed with data, and in many

cases, data have the peculiarity of being transversal. In this context, improving the position of

environment statistics involves the participation of the different institutions related to the

environmental sector as a fundamental step, and it involves creating agreements and harnessing

synergies to improve the production and use of environmental information.

In this field, none of the countries under study reported a “very satisfactory” level of

collaboration among inter-agency partners. In seven of the eleven studied countries, the level of

collaboration between institutions was considered to be satisfactory; in five cases, it was

reported that this process has resulted in the establishment of collegiate bodies where policies

and lines of action for data generation are defined; and in six countries the operation of technical

committees or another type of group oriented to technical or methodological definitions was

indicated.

$-

$100,000.00

$200,000.00

$300,000.00

$400,000.00

$500,000.00

$600,000.00

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Am

eri

can

D

ollars

(Constant prices 2010)

Ecuador

Colombia

Mexico

Panama

Venezuela

Dominican

Republic

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

29

Table 5. Assessment of inter-institutional collaboration in environment statistics

Level of collaboration among inter-institutional partners for the production of environment statistics

No. of countries

Very satisfactory 0

Satisfactory 7

Unsatisfactory 3

Non-existent 1

Existence of an inter-institutional group, council or other collective body of participation that defines policies, strategies or plans for the production of environment statistics

Yes 5

Underdeveloped 2

No 4

Existence of specialized committees or technical groups that define aspects related to technical standards, methodologies or other standards applicable to the generation of environment statistic information

Yes 6

No 4

Not-specified 1 Source: Author’s preparation based on the Self-Diagnosis Questionnaire on the Situation of Official Environment Statistics 2014.

Map 7. Assessment of the inter-institutional collaboration level for environment statistics production


Statistics 2014.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

30

v) International cooperation

In all the participant countries, the existence of a flow of environmental information that

responds to the requirements of international organisms was reported, indicating a commitment

to collaboration with agencies that develop initiatives related to the environment at a global

level.

Table 6. International cooperation of National Statistics Office by country (2009-2014).

Type of international cooperation Bahamas Belize Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador Jamaica

National environment statistics are reported to international organizations

✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Participation of the NSO in an international expert group on environment statistics, in the context of the activities of the UNSD

- - - ✓ ✓ ✓

Participation of the NSO in an expert group on the FDES implementation

- - ✓ - ✓ ✓

Participation of the NSO in an expert group on regional environment statistics

- - - - ✓ -

Participation of the NSO in another group or body related to environment statistics

✓ - - - - -

Type of international cooperation Mexico Panama Dominican Republic

Suriname Venezuela Total countries

National environment statistics are reported to international organizations

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 10

Participation of the NSO in an international expert group on environment statistics, in the context of the activities of the UNSD

✓ - - ✓ - 5

Participation of the NSO in an expert group on the FDES implementation

✓ ✓ - ✓ - 6

Participation of the NSO in an expert group on regional environment statistics

✓ - - ✓ ✓ 4

Participation of the NSO in another group or body related to environment statistics

✓ - ✓ ✓ - 4

Note: ✓=Yes X=No Middle dash (-) indicates no answer in the Self-Diagnosis Questionnaire



A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

31

Table 7. International cooperation of another agency by country (2009-2014).

Type of international cooperation Bahamas Belize Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador Jamaica

Participation of another agency in an international expert group on environment statistics, within the context of activities of the UNSD

- ✓ - - ✓ -

Participation of another agency in an expert group in the implementation of the FDES

- ✓ - ✓ ✓ -

Participation of another agency in an expert group on regional environment statistics

- ✓ ✓ - - -

Participation of another agency in another group or body related to environment statistics

- ✓ - - - -

No participation - - - - - -

Type of international cooperation Mexico Panama Dominican Republic

Suriname Venezuela Total

countries

Participation of another agency in an international expert group on environment statistics, within the context of activities of the UNSD

- - - - - 2

Participation of another agency in an expert group in the implementation of the FDES

✓ ✓ - - - 5

Participation of another agency in an expert group on regional environment statistics

✓ - ✓ - - 4

Participation of another agency in another group or body related to environment statistics

✓ - - - - 4

No participation - - - ✓ ✓ 2

Note: ✓=Yes X=No Middle dash (-) indicates no answer in the Self-Diagnosis Questionnaire



Regardless of the variability observed, every country indicated participation in at least

one working group associated with some multinational initiative, highlighting the efforts that are

being made by international agencies to incorporate producers of official environment statistics

in the processes of design and construction of projects. It also demonstrates the collaborative

will of countries in the region in this area.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

32

For the referenced period, respondents reported thirty-nine events associated with

international technical cooperation, the majority consisting of training received through a course

or workshop. In terms of frequency, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Suriname stand out for

their participation in six events, followed by Jamaica and Venezuela, participating in five events.

Table 8. Number of international technical cooperation events, by type and by country (2009-2014)

Country Technical assistance Course or workshop Other Seminar Overall total

Bahamas 0 1 0 0 1

Belize 0 0 0 0 0

Colombia 0 2 0 1 3

Costa Rica 0 5 0 1 6

Ecuador 1 1 0 0 2

Jamaica 1 4 0 0 5

Mexico 0 2 0 0 2

Panama 0 3 0 0 3

Dominican Republic 0 6 0 0 6

Suriname 0 5 1 0 6

Venezuela 1 3 0 1 5

Total 3 32 1 3 39 Source: Author’s preparation based on the Self-Diagnosis Questionnaire on the Situation of Official Environment Statistics 2014

vi) Use of environment statistics

Table 9. Use of environment statistics Use

Country

Design and evaluation of

national public

policies

Calculation of sustainable

development indicators

Elaboration of environmental

accounting

Elaboration MDG reports (Goal 7)

Elaboration of reports related with

environmental multilateral agreements

Bahamas Not used NS Non-elaborated Non-elaborated Non-elaborated

Belize Yes Non-calculated Non-elaborated Yes Yes

Colombia Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Costa Rica Yes Yes Non-elaborated Yes Yes

Ecuador Yes Yes Yes Non-elaborated Non-elaborated

Jamaica Not used Non-calculated Non-elaborated Yes Non-elaborated

Mexico Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Panama Yes Yes Non-elaborated Yes Yes

Dominican Republic

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Suriname Not used Non-elaborated Non-elaborated Yes Non-elaborated

Venezuela Not used Yes Non-elaborated Yes Yes

Note: NS: Non-specified Source: Author’s preparation based on the Self-Diagnosis Questionnaire on the Situation of Official Environment Statistics 2014

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

33

A significant consideration in the development of environment statistics is their use in

public management. Six of the eleven countries reported that this information is used to

elaborate and evaluate public policies. Similar proportions were reported in relation to the use

of environment statistics to calculate sustainable development indicators, in environmental

accounting elaboration and in reporting the progress of multilateral agreements. All this means

that there is still a lag between statistics production and public policies. Environment statistics

must move beyond the analysis and diagnosis dimension to become information that drives

action from the public administration.

vii) Means of dissemination of environment statistics

As in other areas of official statistics, transparency and access to information in the area

of environment statistics should not be overlooked. It is necessary to carry out data

dissemination and diffusion by different means so that information can be available to all users.

Generating a culture of statistical information usage can improve some current problematic

situations, while it can also have a positive effect on the generation of information itself, because

data demand can stimulate the growth of its corresponding supply.

Table 10. Dissemination means for environment statistics

Dissemination means Number of countries

Printed 9

Digital 8

Report to ministries and authorities by request 5

Web pages 8

Monograph 0

Consult systems 4

Online tables or tabulations 5

Online database 2

Microdata 2

Other contents 1

Other dissemination means 2

Source: Author’s preparation based on the Self-Diagnosis Questionnaire on the Situation of

Official Environment Statistics 2014.

While print products remain an important medium for information delivery among

participant countries, the use of the internet and digital products have been increasing. The use

of information technologies, as a part of the dissemination strategies for the environment

statistics, has a positive impact in relation with the user’s coverage, because digital products

better allow the data processing and analysis options for users.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

34

Nevertheless, tables and tabulations remain the predominate option of information

dissemination, while the presence of information on online database or at the micro-data level

continues to be marginal. This strongly limits the analysis possibilities typically related to

specialized users.

Photo 6. Landfill for solid urban waste, Mexico


A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

35

3.2 Section of the questionnaire about environment statistics production

The section of the self-diagnosis tool named Battery at Specific Statistical Level addresses

in great detail the availability of environment statistics in each individual country, taking into

account the universe of analysis of 508 variables considered in the version of the Framework for

the Development of Environment Statistics (FDES) 2013 that was used. As already mentioned

above, the document used corresponds to a preliminary report of the final version published by

the United Nations.

In the questionnaire, the issue of statistics availability is addressed considering data

existence, information on the national priority in the collection of this information, collection

frequency, as well as sources and data coverage, among others.

i) Environment statistics availability

The results of the self-diagnosis for the aggregate of participating countries indicate that

there is no information availability in approximately 50 per cent of the considered variables.

Additionally, only a third of the available data is produced identically to what is specified in the

FDES and the remaining 20 per cent in a similar way. This situation is not different if the analysis

is carried out for each of the six components of the Framework.

Figure 2. Environment statistics availability according to FDES components

37%

15%

48%

1. Environmental conditions and quality

28%

19%

53%

2. Environmental resources and their use

31%

17%

52%

3. Residuals

29%

16%

55%

4. Extreme events and disasters

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

36

Identical Similar Not available

Source: Author’s elaboration based on the Self-Diagnosis Questionnaire on the Situation of Official Environment

Statistics 2014.

At the country level, the results show that environment statistics availability is

heterogeneous, with Belize, Jamaica, Suriname and Venezuela having highest percentage of

missing statistics (ranging from 57 per cent to 68 per cent). The Bahamas and Dominican Republic

produce the highest percentage of information according to the FDES.

Figure 3. Environment statistics availability by country in relation to the FDES

Identical Similar Not available

32%

18%

50%

5. Human settlements and environmental health

31%

19%

50%

6. Environmental protection, management and engagement

50%

1%

49%

Bahamas

42%

1%

57%

Belize

34%

31%

35%

Colombia

23%

34%

43%

Costa RicaA

regi

onal

fram

ewor

k fo

r the

stre

ngth

enin

g of

offi

cial

env

ironm

ent s

tatis

tics.

201

8

37

Source: Author’s elaboration based on the Self-Diagnosis Questionnaire on the Situation of Official


ii) National priority in the environment statistics generation

Considering the 508 observed variables, disaggregated in the six components in which

FDES is organized, the proportion of those considered by the informants as high priority variables

for collection oscillates between 45 per cent and 65 per cent; the average priority being 20 per

cent and the lowest 25 per cent.

25%

31%

44%

Ecuador

29%

12%

59%

Jamaica

40%

15%

45%

Mexico

40%

6%

54%

Panama

55%

10%

35%

Dominican Republic

30%

2%

68%

Suriname

5%38%

57%

Venezuela

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

38

Considering this issue at the component level, the variables corresponding to component

5 (environmental settlements and environmental health) and component 3 (residuals) showed

the highest proportions of high priority in data generation; 65 per cent and 60 per cent

respectively.

Figure 4. Level of priority in environment statistics generation by FDES component

High Medium Low Not applicable


Statistics 2014

51%

19%

24%

6%


51%

23%

21%

5%


61%16%

22% 1%

3. Residuals

57%

12%

31%


64%13%

22%1%


51%

21%

23%

5%


A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

39

It is appropriate to introduce here in the analysis the notion of data groups or data

packages related to the idea of priority levels, considering the three Tiers managed in the FDES:

- Tier 1 corresponds to the minimum set required for the production of

environment statistics.

- Tier 2 refers to a set of relevant and prioritised environment statistics, the

production of which requires a greater investment of time, resources and

methodological development.

- Tier 3 conforms to lower priority environment statistics for which a higher degree

of methodological development is required.

The highest priority level in the data collection in all countries was granted to Tier 1 data,

with the exception of Colombia, where the highest priority ration for collecting information

corresponded to the data package of Tier 2. However, it should be noted that the priority levels

assigned to the data do not show large differences, which indicates the difficulty in distinguishing

hierarchies in the broad spectrum of production needs of environmental information.

Figure 5. National priority level of environment statistics generation by FDES Tier

High Medium Low Not applicable

TIER1 TIER 2 TIER 3

69%

21%

10%

49%

32%

16%3%

50%

42%

8%

78%

16%5% 1%

65%23%

11% 1%43%

34%

22%1%

Bahamas

Belize

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

40

51%36%

12% 1%

59%31%

8% 2%

48%40%

12%

47%

23%

26% 4% 31%

29%

37%3% 31%

28%

31%10%

68%21%9% 2% 66%

20%

10%4% 60%

26%

11%3%

59%

16%

19%6% 44%

22%

28%6% 27%

18%44%

11%

67%

12%

21%55%

11%

34% 60%

5%

35%

Colombia

Ecuador

Jamaica

Costa Rica

Mexico A

regi

onal

fram

ewor

k fo

r the

stre

ngth

enin

g of

offi

cial

env

ironm

ent s

tatis

tics.

201

8

41


Environment Statistics 2014

82%

5%8% 5%

71%2%

21%

6%

65%

3%

29%

3%

53%

30%

3%14% 49%

36%

7%8% 50%

26%

7%

17%

35%

9%

52%

4%27%

6%

61%

6%26%

4%

58%

12%

87%10%

2%

1%71%

19%6% 4%

61%24%

13% 2%

Panama

Dominican Republic

Suriname

Venezuela

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

42

iii) Data characteristics

This section addresses the origin and scope of the data available in the countries

represented in the study, such as data sources, geographic disaggregation and information

production periodicity.

a. Main data source

A look at the data collection sources related to environment statistics shows that

administrative records have a big relevance as a way to produce data, which does not change if

the revision is practiced at each level of the six FDES components. The only exceptions are

represented by component 1, Environmental conditions and quality, and component 5, Human

settlements and environmental health, where according to the data nature, information comes

from monitoring and census, respectively.

Figure 6. Main source of environmental data by FDES component

Census Surveys Administrative records Monitoring

Estimation from remote images Modelling and estimation Other

1% 20%

39%12%

4%

24%


2% 8%

63%

10%

6%6% 5%


A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

43



From a country level perspective, the results remain unchanged: administrative records

are the main source of environmental information collection, as reported by the self-diagnostic

questionnaire in all studied cases, with the exception of the Dominican Republic. The proportion

of available data originating from administrative records reaches an average of 46 per cent for

the eleven countries, ranging from 21 per cent reported by the Dominican Republic to 84 per

cent reported by Suriname.

This group of data also highlights that monitoring is the second information source in

almost every country, which is associated with the type of phenomena that is being measured,

such as atmospheric monitoring and changes in vegetation coverage. It is also important to note

that census and surveys have a relatively low presence as an environmental information

collection source, despite the enormous need to study many aspects of the relationship between

the economy and the environment or between households and the environment, projects for

which the development of surveys or modules is required.

10%1%

59%

10%

0%

14%6%

3. Residuals

1%

0%

77%

18%

2%2%0%


33%

27%

36%

1%2%1%


0%2%

83%

2%

0%0%

13%


A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

44

Figure 7. Main environmental data source by country

Census Surveys Administrative records Monitoring

Estimation from remote images Modelling and estimation Other



12%

6%

39%27%

0%0%

16%

Bahamas 0%

8% 61%

21%

10% 0%

0%Belize

15%

35%21%

7%

4%

18%

Colombia

3% 3%49%

10%

4%

8%

23%

Costa Rica

10%9%

36%15%

10%

2%

18%

Ecuador

7% 2%58%

11%

5%

10%7%

Jamaica

10%0%

46%12%

6%

25%1%

Mexico

11%1%

47%

21%

1%

0%

19%

Panama

4% 4%

21%

51%

4%0%

16%

Dominican Republic

3% 2%

84%

0%

3%8% 0%

Suriname

3% 5%

49%

21%

13%

3% 6%

Venezuela

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

45

b. Geographic coverage

Regarding the spatial disaggregation of the information, that is, considering the

geographical or political-administrative delimitation for which the information is representative,

the availability of information only at the national level affects most of the FDES components.

The most impacted component was component 6 (environmental protection, management and

engagement), where for eight out of ten variables information was only available at the national

level.

Components 4 and 5 observed better conditions in terms of information availability in

sub-national territorial divisions. There exists a large area of opportunity to be addressed in the

Region, as solving many environmental problems requires, necessarily, the existence of data at

sub-national or local level.

Figure 8. Geographic coverage of environment statistics by FDES component

Not applicable Only national Sub-national at second level

Sub-national at third level Sub-national at fourth level Other

6%

52%10%

3%

1%

28%


2%

81%

8%4%0%5%


71%

8%

8%

8%5%

3. Residuals

0%39%

34%

21%

6%0%


A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

46



The same feature reviewed at country level, considering the aggregate of the FDES

variables that the countries reported having available data, shows that in seven of the eleven

studied cases environment statistics are mostly produced only at the national level.

Consequently, the disaggregation of existing data on territorial sub-national entities is still not

very frequent in the Region, which strongly restrict the decision making in relation with local

scale phenomena. However, the changes that Colombia, Ecuador, Jamaica and Mexico have been

implementing in this area cannot be ignored. In addition, a significant fraction of the availability

environmental information in the consulted countries refers to territorial areas outside the

political-administrative, such as: watersheds, metropolitan areas, planning regions, airports,

agro-zones and beaches, among others of similar scope.

Figure 9. Geographic coverage of environment statistics by country

Not applicable Only national Sub-national at second level

Sub-national at third level Sub-national at fourth level Other

0%28%

15%

21%

18%

18%

5. Human settlements and evironmental health

3%

84%

6%4%1%2%


0%81%

0%

0%

0%

19%

Bahamas

0%

86%

7%7% 0%

0%Belize

6%

62%

11%4%1%

16%

ColombiaA

regi

onal

fram

ewor

k fo

r the

stre

ngth

enin

g of

offi

cial

env

ironm

ent s

tatis

tics.

201

8

47



c. Frequency in the data diligence

The descriptive analysis of this section was undertaken by reviewing how the six

components of the FDES are deployed at level of the twenty-one subcomponents. The collection

of more than 50 per cent of the data is usually annual, highlighting wastewater generation and

management, waste generation and management, environmental protection and natural

resources management as well as environmental health.

9% 60%

5%

6%

20%

Costa Rica

8%34%

1%20%

9%

28%

Ecuador

2%

72%

11%

4%5%6%

Jamaica

1%

45%

35%

15%

0%

4%

Mexico

0%49%

11%

10%

10%

20%

Panama

0%63%

6%1%3%

27%

Dominican Republic

0%

77%

23%

0% 0% 0%

Suriname

0%68%

17%

2%

7% 6%

Venezuela

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

48

Regarding monthly and irregular frequencies, it was observed that the monthly

frequency has a moderate participation in 18 of the studied subjects (between 1 per cent and 25

per cent), while the temporal irregularity in the different subcomponents ranges from 3 per cent

to 77 per cent of the data.

Figure 10. Frequency of the data diligence by FDES subcomponent

Other Irregular Decennial Quinquennial Biennial Yearly

Biannual Quarterly Bimonthly Monthly

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

3. Environmentalquality

2. Land coverage,ecosystems, and

biodiversity

1. Physicalconditions

%

Subcomponents Component 1. Environmental Conditions and Quality

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

49

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

9. Water resources

8. Biologicalresources

7. Soil resources

6. Soil

5. Energyresources

4. Non-energymineral resources

%

SubcomponentsComponent 2. Environmental Resources and their Use

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

50

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

13. Biochemistsapplication

12. Generationand management

of wastes

11. Generationand managementof sewage water

10. Air emissions

%

Subcomponents Component 3. Residuals

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

15. Technologicaldisasters

14. Extremenatural events andnatural disasters

%

Subcomponents Component 4. Extreme Events and Disasters

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

51



0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

17. Environmentalhealth

16. Humansettlements

%

Subcomponents Component 5. Human Settlements and Environmental Health

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

21. Informationand

environmentalawareness

20. Preparation toface extremeevents anddisasters

management

19. Regulationand

environmentalgovernance

18. Environmentalprotection and

natural resourcesmanagement

%

SubcomponentsComponent 6. Environmental Protection, Management and Engagement

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

52

3.3 Section of the questionnaire about statistical topic level

In the FDES, topic is the first level of aggregation (minimum level) of environment

statistics for the 508 variables. The self-diagnosis questionnaire addressed the topic level in areas

such as the relevance that countries give to data collection and the availability of data.

Participants had to make an overall assessment of these aspects for each variable included in

each topic.

i) Relevance granted to data collection and availability of information by topic,

according to FDES component

In an overview, the topics grouped in the components environmental resources and their

use, environmental conditions and quality and residuals present the highest proportions of high

relevance for data collection. However, with only slight variations between the different

countries, in general, clusters of topics for all FDES components were of high relevance for data

collection.

Regarding the availability of statistical information, the assessment done by the countries

indicate that proportions of satisfactory and unsatisfactory levels of availability are very similar,

fluctuating around 50 per cent, with some variability by country and component.

On average, six out of ten topics considered in the FDES components received a high

relevance for the purpose of being the base of national plans and projects, as well as responding

to country’s own environmental conditions. Viewed at the component level, topics included in

component 2 Environmental resources and their use received, overall, the highest relevance

assessment “high relevance” in seven out of ten topics, followed by those for components 3 and

6. Topics of component 4, Extreme events and disasters, received the lowest assignment of high

relevance, with only four out of ten topics. To complement and qualify the analysis of this item,

it should be noted that overall in almost 16 per cent of the topics, no level of relevance was

specified.

Regarding the availability of statistics grouping topics by FDES component, an overview

shows that 38 per cent of cases were rated as unsatisfactory, while 34 per cent were defined as

satisfactory. Only 8 per cent of topics reported a highly satisfactory rating of data availability.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

53

Concerning the two aspects discussed above, in the sets of topics that were assigned the

highest levels of relevance the situation regarding the data availability was not very different

from that found for less relevant, which means the valuation of unsatisfactory information

production generally prevailed. This is very significant, since it demonstrates that there is no

adequate planning of the environment statistics production according to their demand. This can

have repercussions on the lack of connection and impact of such information in national public

policies. Similarly, on the self-diagnosis questionnaire this topic generated an unspecified (non-

response in the questionnaire) of considerable dimension: 21 per cent of the topics lack a rating

regarding the statistics availability.

Figure 11. Relevance of topics by FDES component

Unspecified High relevance Medium relevance Low relevance Not relevant



11%

66%

16%7%

0%


17%

73%

5%5%


12%

70%

13%

3%

2%

3. Residuals

18%

39%

20%

9%

14%


14%

62%

16%5%

3%


13%

65%

18%4%

0%


A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

54

Figure 12. Environmental statistical information availability by topics of FDES

component

Unspecified Highly satisfactory Satisfactory Unsatisfactory



12%4%

38%

46%


21%

6%

33%

40%


14%

3%

33%

50%

3. Residuals

27%

9%

27%

37%

4. Extrem events and disasters

18%

14%

33%

35%


14%

15%

36%

35%


A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

55

ii) Main problems with national data production

The applied questionnaire inquired about the main concerns facing environment

statistics production at the topic level. In the reported data, resources limitation represents the

most problematic situation with the highest frequency of mentions, followed by technical

difficulties.

Figure 13. Main problems with the national data production by FDES component

Resources limitation Technical difficulties Inadequate quality Inappropriate coverage

Lack of accessibility Lack of coordination Other difficulties



27%

19%

9%

16%

8%

17%4%


25%

22%

4%7%

10%

28%4%


28%

18%

10%

17%

8%

16% 3%


27%

20%

11%

15%

7%

17% 3%


22%

22%

14%

14%

6%

17% 5%

3. Residuals

22%

24%

10%

9%

9%

20%6%


A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

56

By country, it should be noted that in addition to the problems related to resource

limitations, issues that occur with more relative frequency are the technical/methodological

difficulties and the lack of coordination.

Figure 14. Principal problems in environment statistics generation by country

Note: Bahamas did not report information in this questionnaire section.


Statistics 2014

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Venezuela

Suriname

Panama

Mexico

Jamaica

Ecuador

Dominican Republic

Costa Rica

Colombia

Belize

Resource constraints Methodological/Techinical diffculty in collecting

Insufficient quality Inappropriate coverage

Lack of accessibility Lack of institutional set-up/coordination

Other difficulties in data collection

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

57

3.4 Current programs for basic environment statistics

This section of the questionnaire investigated the existence of current programs to

develop basic environment statistics generation. In all, 23 projects were reported by seven

countries, although only 17 projects from three countries really corresponded to basic statistical

production processes with these characteristics (see Table 11).

In terms of the data sources of the reported projects, administrative records carry a

relatively high weight, suggesting that it is a set of information that has been generated

historically in countries with purposes other than environmental statistics. A similar scenario is

presented regarding the exploitation of information from census and surveys of socio-

demographic and economic character.

Exploiting administrative records for statistical purposes to cover the existing large gaps

of environmental information presents major technical, methodological and inter-institutional

coordination challenges.

It is noteworthy that in some countries efforts are being made to produce basic

environment statistics, investigating issues such as emissions, waste, water, energy, and

environmental protection expenditure among others through data collected from economic

units, households, and governments.

Table 11. Current programs or projects for the generation of basic environment statistics

COLOMBIA

Name Institution Data source Observation unit Period

Manufacturing Sector Environmental Survey DANE Survey Industrial

establishment Annual

Hotel Environmental Survey DANE Survey Hotel

establishment Annual

Environmental-Economic Module on

“Characterization of Agricultural Production Units in National Natural Parks of the third

National Agricultural Census”

DANE Census Agricultural

production unit Unspecified

Monitoring Statistics of the Land Coverage of Colombian Amazonia

SINCHI Remote

perception-census

Amazon Region Biennial

National Forest Inventory Statistics

IDEAM Survey

Forest and other

vegetal covers

Quadrennial

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

58

COLOMBIA

Name Thematic coverage (main subjects) Geographic

coverage Program

status

Manufacturing Sector

Environmental Survey

- Investments, costs and expenditures related to environmental protection. - Solid waste generation. - Hazardous waste generation. - Water resource management. - Environmental management instruments

National and 6 regions: Amazonía-Orinoquía, Atlántica (except San Andres

Archipiélago, Providencia and Santa Catalina), Bogotá, Central,

Oriental and Pacífica

Data published

Hotel Environmental Survey

- Investments, costs and expenditures related to environmental protection. - Energy consumption. - Water resource management. - Environmental management instruments

National Data

published

Environmental-

Economic Module on “Characterization

of Agricultural Production Units in

National Natural Parks of the third

National Agricultural Census”

- Surface of National Natural Parks - Use and land coverage of National Natural Parks - Production units (agricultural and non-agricultural) - Sustainability factors in the Agricultural Production Units in National Natural Park (water, soil, waste and energy).

National, departmental and

municipal

Data published

Monitoring Statistics of the Land Coverage of Colombian Amazonia

- Multitemporal changes in land cover Regional,

Departmental and municipal

Data published

National Forest

Inventory Statistics

- Structure, floristic composition, diversity, aerial biomass and wood volume of the forest - Forest mass conditions and quality - Forest resource dynamic

National, regional, departmental and

municipal

Data published

Note: DANE: Statistic National Administrative Department of Colombia SINCHI: Amazonian Institute of Scientific Researches of Colombia IDEAM: Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies of Colombia

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

59

ECUADOR

Name Institution Data source Observation unit Period

Environmental data (integrated system of environment statistics)

INEC Census, surveys,

administrative records

Housing, households,

municipalities, enterprises

Annual, biennial,

decennial,

Agricultural and livestock production INEC Surveys Agricultural

production lands Annual

Enterprises economic environmental information

INEC Surveys

Enterprises Annual

Household environmental information

INEC Surveys

Households Annual

Economic environmental information in local and provincial GAD’s

INEC Census based on

administrative records

Municipalities and provincial governments

Annual

Hazardous waste in health facilities INEC Administrative record Health facilities Annual

ECUADOR


coverage Program

status

Environmental data (integrated system of

environment statistics)

Environmental conditions and quality Environmental resources Residuals Human settlements Natural and anthropogenic disasters Citizen participation

National, regional, provincial and self-represented cities

Data published

Agricultural and livestock production

Permanent and non-permanent crops Land use Agricultural employment Pesticides use

National, regional and provincial

Data published

Economic environmental information in

companies

Environmental investment Waste Hazardous waste Water resource

National, regional and provincial

Data published

Household environmental

information

Water Energy Waste Environmental awareness

National, regional, provincial and self-represented cities

Data published

Economic environmental

information in local and provincial GADs

Environmental investment Waste and hazardous waste Water resource

National, regional, provincial and

cantonal

Data published

Hazardous waste in health facilities

Hazardous waste collection Hazardous waste management Hazardous waste final disposal

National, regional, provincial and

cantonal

Data published

Note: INEC: Ecuador National Institute of Statistic and Census Ecuador

GADs: Decentralised autonomous governments of Ecuador

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

60

MEXICO

Name Institution Data source Observation

unit Period

Environmental module on drinking water and sanitation in the national census of municipal

and delegation governments INEGI Census

Municipalities and

Delegations Biennial

Environmental module on urban solid waste in the national census of municipal and delegation

governments INEGI Census

Municipalities and

Delegations

Biennial

Households and environment module INEGI Survey Households Biennial

Module on environmental management of state governments

INEGI Census

States Annual

Environmental module in economic census INEGI Census Economic units Quinquennial

Environmental administrative records INEGI,

SEMARNAT Administrative

records Economic units Annual

MEXICO


coverage Program status

Environmental module on drinking water and sanitation

in the national census of municipal and delegation

governments

Water and sanitation services Wastewater treatment Untreated wastewater discharges Service billing Human resources

Municipalities and

delegations Published data

Environmental module on urban solid waste in the

national census of municipal and delegation governments

Collection and transfer Treatment and final disposal

Municipalities and

delegations

Published data

Households and environment module

Water Energy Waste Environment perception

National Published data

Module on environmental management of state

governments

Water Atmosphere Soil Productive activities Energy Building

National and state

Under implementation

Environmental module in economic census

Environmental regulations Staff dedicated to environmental or natural resources protection activities Waste Environmental protection expenditure Wastewater treatment

National, state and municipal

Published data

Environmental administrative records

Atmospheric emissions Water discharges Hazardous waste generation and management Environmental investment and expenditure

National and state

Under implementation

Note: INEGI: National Institute of Statistic and Geography of Mexico

SEMARNAT: Environment and Natural Resources Secretary of Mexico

Source: Author’s preparation based on the Self-Diagnosis Questionnaire on the Situation of Official Environment Statistics

2014

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

61

The still limited generation of basic environment statistical information is being accompanied by

incipient efforts aimed at documenting the technical and methodological procedures applied in this

production. The desirable expansion of the supply of environmental data should be associated with

additional efforts in this sense, including the adoption of international best practices and standardization

of processes, all to benefit transparency, and users.

The following table shows which current programs or projects on environment statistic

generation, summarized in table 11, have geographic representation, as well as the characteristics of this

representation. Geospatial information –localization data- has only a marginal presence in the

environment basic statistic projects in the Region. Particularly regarding environmental issues, the

possibility of having georeferenced data is very important as this provides the option of linking multiple

layers and their connections to maximize their usefulness in analysis and decision-making processes.

Table 12. Cartography resources and spatial data infrastructure in the production of environment

statistics

Note: ✓=Yes

Colombia did not report information about these items.

Source: Author’s preparation based on the Self-Diagnosis Questionnaire on the Situation of Official Environment Statistics 2014

Country Program or project Scale of

geographical representation

Information with point-

level georeferencing

With information

layers (shapes)

available to users

With geographic metadata

available to users

Ecuador Agriculture and livestock

production 1:5000

Mexico

Environmental module on drinking water and sanitation in the

national census of municipal and delegation governments

1: 250 000 ✓ ✓ ✓

Environmental module on urban solid waste in the national census

of municipal and delegation governments

1: 250 000 ✓ ✓ ✓

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

62

3.5 Environmental accounting

Finally, in five of the eleven studied countries a process for environmental accounting

generation was reported to exist. In three of those countries the responsibility lay with the

National Statistic Office. It should be noted that the frequency of existing data in all cases is

annual, with significant variability between countries regarding the start and end dates of the

series. In relation with the information geographic coverage, it was not reported other than at

the national level.

It is worthy to note that Mexico has developed the area of environmental accounting

since the mid-1980s. Over time this work has also acquired importance in Colombia and Ecuador.

Regarding physical and monetary assets accounts, as well as in relation with physical flows

between the economy and the environment, several themes stand out: water, forestry and

energy resources.

Table 12. Environmental Accounting generation

Country

Existence of a process to generate environmental

accounting

Institution responsible

Bahamas No

Belize No

Colombia Yes Statistic National Administrative Department (DANE)

Costa Rica

Yes Costa Rica Central Bank supported by the Ministry of

Environment and Energy (MINAE) and National

Institute of Statistic and Census (INEC)

Dominican Republic Yes Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources

Ecuador Yes Ministry of Environment

Jamaica No

Mexico Yes National Institute of Statistic and Geography(INEGI)

Panama No

Suriname No

Venezuela No


A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

63

Table 13. Environmental accounting developed by country

1. Assets accounts, in physical and monetary terms, about mineral and energy resources, wood, soil, water, land and other biological resources

Country Accounts Frequency Geographical

disaggregation Serie first

year Serie last

year Not

generated

Colombia Mineral and energy

resources Annual National 2005

2012 provisional

Costa Rica Water and forest Annual National Unspecified Unspecified

Dominican Republic

Water Other National 2005 2005

Ecuador Energy, Land and soil

resources Annual National 2008 2013

Mexico Balance and flows sheets Annual National 1985 2012

2. Physical flows accounts (from the environment to the economy, within the economy and from the economy to the environment)



year Serie last

year Not

generated

Colombia Energy, forest and water Annual National 2005 2011

Costa Rica Water and forest Annual National Unspecified Unspecified

Ecuador Energy, water, air

emissions, waste and wastewater

Annual National

2008 (Except water flows)

2013

Mexico Flows sheets Annual National 1985 2012

3. Environmental activities and related transactions accounts (environmental protection expenditure and environmental goods and services sector)



year Serie last

year Not

generated

Colombia Environmental protection

expenditure Annual National 2005

2012 provisional

Costa Rica Environmental protection

expenditure Annual National

Unspecified Unspecified

Ecuador Environmental protection

expenditure Annual National 2008 2014

Mexico Environmental protection expenditure of the public

sector Annual National 1985 2012

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

64

4. Connection with National Accounts (environmental taxes, environmental subsidies, production accounts, distribution and income use accounts, capital and financial accounts)



year Serie last

year Not

generated

Colombia Environmental taxes Annual National 2000 2013

provisional

Costa Rica ✓

Ecuador ✓

Mexico Production accounts and

capital accounts Annual National 1985 2012

5. Development of integrated economic-environmental accounts for forest, energy, land and ecosystem resources



year Serie last

year Not

generated

Colombia Energy, Forest and

Ecosystems Annual National 2000 2011

Costa Rica ✓

Ecuador Timber forest, land use change and land cover

Annual National

2008 (land cover

account starts at

1990)

2013 (Land cover

account end year is

2014)

Mexico Forest Annual National 2003 2012

6. Environmental accounting projects on water



year Serie last

year Not

generated

Colombia Water Annual National 2005 2012

Costa Rica ✓

Ecuador Preliminary exploration

about water flows Annual National

2012 2013

Mexico

Water supply and uses (activities and products)

Annual National 2003 2012

Note: ✓= Not generated


2014

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

65

The five countries that reported not having worked on national accounting also indicated

that they were not currently ready to start. The Dominican Republic reported starting water

accounts in 2005, however, from the information provided it appears there has been a lack of

continuity in this area.

On the other hand, regarding the participation in actions or projects focused on the

valuation of natural capital and ecosystem services, as well as in projects related to economy and

green growth, only four of the eleven countries reported to be working on initiatives of this

nature.

Table 15. Actions or projects oriented to the valuation of natural capital and ecosystem services

1. Participation in projects for the valuation of natural capital and ecosystem services such as WAVES program coordinated by the World Bank

Country Stages, projects and methodologies considered in the process or project

Colombia Participates in the Wealth Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services (WAVES)

Costa Rica It was in the stage of elaborating inter-institutional Work Plan 2015-2016

Mexico Pilot Project for the implementation of SEEA-EEA

Note: Belize, Ecuador, Jamaica, Panama, Suriname and Venezuela reported not participating in this kind of project.

Bahamas and the Dominican Republic reported not knowing about this type of project.

2. Participation in actions on green economy (UNEP) or green growth (OECD)


Bahamas Invited to be a pilot country in the Green Economy Project of United Nations (2014-2015)

Colombia Strategy for Green Growth, as a part of the Development National Plan

Ecuador Participating in the Pilot Project “Capacity building of developing countries to measure progress towards a green economy 2015-2016”, with technical assistance of UNSD, ECLAC and UNEP

México Development of Green Growth Indicators

Note: Belize, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Panama and Venezuela reported not participating in these kinds of initiatives.

The Dominican Republic and Suriname reported not knowing about these kinds of initiatives.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

66

3. Projects or actions other than those indicated previously aimed at promoting the valuation of natural capital and ecosystem services


Ecuador

Participated in the study “The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity” (TEEB) with the project “Reflecting the strategic role of ecosystems and biodiversity in changing the productive matrix of Ecuador”

Note: Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela reported not participating in these

kinds of initiatives.

Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and Suriname reported not knowing about these types of initiatives.


2014

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

67

4. Conclusions of the diagnosis of the situation of environment statistics

1. The basic environment statistics generation is still very limited in the Region, considering

the projects originally designed from the perspective of the environment.

2. The use of environment statistic information in the design and evaluation of public

policies is still emerging in the participant countries.

3. The efforts of strategic planning and democratization of decisions related to the future

of environment statistics are barely germinal in the Region.

4. The technical and methodological challenges faced by the environment statistic

generation are one of the main aspect to be solved in terms of capacity building.

5. The human and financial resources to produce environment statistics are scarce, and

they have remained constant in a context of increasing demand for information.

6. The existence of areas/units dedicated exclusively to environment statistics production

was reported in several countries. It was also pointed out the persistence of differences

in the level of importance they occupy in the organizational structure with respect to

their peers in other statistical domains.

7. The path of exploitation of administrative records for statistical purposes, to cover the

large gaps of environmental information, presents its own technical, methodological and

inter-institutional coordination challenges.

8. The thematic, geographic and temporal coverage of the current projects for the

generation of basic environmental information is quite limited.

9. Geospatial information has only a marginal presence in the projects for environment

basic statistics production.

10. There are few efforts aimed at the adoption of environmental accounting systems, the

valuation of natural capital and ecosystem services, and the generation of information

related to green economy and green growth, despite the increased relevance of these

issues.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

69

Strategy and action plan

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

71

Chapter II. Strategy and action plan

1. Building the strategy

This chapter presents a strategy proposal for the development and strengthening of the

official environment statistics in the participant countries of the project. The Strategy constitutes

a “road map” that each country could adjust according to its specific conditions, and that will

eventually provide a framework of statistical coordination and harmonization following existing

international standards.

Strategy design was supported by the strategic planning guidelines, understood as a

results-based management instrument to ensure greater efficiency, effectiveness and quality of

services and activities to be provided. In a general sense, the Strategy aims to identify and

propose lines of action to reach a “desired future” by identifying goals and objectives to fulfil its

mission and vision.

According to the results of the diagnosis described in chapter I, different challenges were

identified during the construction of the Strategy, including the following:

Standardising the different organisational frameworks used by the different countries

Strengthening institutional links to share and generate statistics between agencies

Overcoming irregularities in the production of statistics

Gathering information allow to reveal the causal links between the pressures exerted by

human activity and ecosystem response

Fully harnessing information and communication technologies to facilitate access to

information

Overcoming the scarcity of human and financial resources

Effectively strengthening links between those providing environment statistics and those

requiring them (policy makers), so statistics can become an instrument for the policy

makers.

Suitably defining metadata.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

72

2. Strategy mission and vision

Every participating country raised similar areas of increasing concern at the starting point

of the Strategy, particularly the failure to integrate environmental themes into public agendas

and economic-productive decision making, as well as a need for increased citizen participation.

In this sense, the Strategy is aimed at finding answers to new questions related to the links

between the environment and development, and to do so through the formulation of public

policies and evidence-based decision making, including through the contribution of environment

statistics.

This Strategy approach takes place in a context in which, as noted earlier in Chapter I,

there are still strong differences between the statistical systems of the countries, information

gaps in relevant areas, lack of harmonization and standardization of criteria and definitions,

dissemination difficulties, as well as a general lack of training of human resources are observed.

Added to this are restrictions for the sustainability of programs and poor coordination among

data provider institutions.

Given that the challenges faced by the production sector of environment statistics are

manifold and variable in nature, the Strategy proposes a broad and inclusive perspective, which

integrates scientific-technical knowledge from different disciplines, articulated on the basis of

four strategic axes. These axes arise from the diagnosis executed and contain realistic goals and

objectives. They consider the broad conceptual spectrum of environment statistics, the

specificities of the instruments used to measure environmental data sources, as well as the

participation and coordination of the institutions that make up an environmental information

subsystem, as an integral part of the official environment statistics system of each country.

Following this definition, the Strategy’s MISSION can be stated as contributing to the

efforts to strengthen the environment statistics production in Latin America and the Caribbean

through inter-institutional cooperation, capacity building and agent awareness. On the other

hand, the Strategy’s VISION is the expansion and improvement of the environment statistic

supply useful for decision making.

The STRATEGIC AXES through which the Strategy is deployed are aligned with the results

of the Diagnosis regarding the status of environment statistics in the participant countries (see

Chapter I) and are divided into objectives, goals and actions.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

73

The 4 Strategic Axes cover the following aspects:

- Legal framework for the environment statistics production;

- Administrative structure of the environment statistics system;

- Human and financial resources in the environment statistics system;

- The basic environment statistics production processes, derived statistics and

environmental indicators; sources and means of data collecting, thematic and

geographic coverage, regularity, procedure documentation, use of standards and

geospatial information;

- Dissemination of and access to environment statistics;

- Environment statistics use in the design and evaluation of public policies;

- Regional horizontal cooperation;

- Capacity building (conceptual frameworks, statistical and geographic projects

documentation using metadata standards, use of administrative records,

environmental accounting and ecosystemic services assessment, classifications and

international standards, anonymization techniques, data exchange protocols such as

SDMX, Statistical data and Metadata Exchange, statistical operations evaluation);

- Environment statistic international cooperation.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

74

3. Strategic axes

As previously indicated, the Strategy is comprised of four thrusts:

Strategic Axis I: Institutional Development, which refers to the legal framework for the

environment statistics production, the administrative structure of the environment

statistics system and human and financial resources.

Strategic Axis II: Strengthening and expansion of the production, dissemination and

promotion of environment statistics use; a process that includes the production of basic

environment statistics and derived statistics, data dissemination and access, and the use

of information in the design and evaluation of public policies.

Strategic Axis III: Capacity building to support the development and strengthening of

environment statistics in the Region.

Strategic Axis IV: Strengthening regional and sub regional cooperation, as well as

between countries and institutions.

Figure 15. Strategic Axes of the Strategy


Framework for the development of the Environment Statistics (FDES)

Diagnosis of the situation of the Environment Statistics

Strategy and Action Plan

Indicators / Studies

Public Policies

Nat

ion

al L

egal

Fram

ewo

rks

Secto

ral Plan

s

Institutional Development

Strengthening of the Information

Production

Building Capacities

International Cooperation

STRATEGIC

AXES

More and better data

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

75

The definition of the strategic axes, the objectives and goals are presented down below:

3.1 Strategic axis I: Institutional development

The institutional system is understood as the set of laws, institutions, political

commitments, and human and financial resources involved in the production of environment

statistics, as well as relations between these elements.

Given the multidisciplinary and crosswise nature of environment statistics, its production

involves several stakeholders and producers, including National Statistic Offices and Environment

Ministries, as well as other institutions associated with environmental affairs, from all sectorial

and geographic levels. For this reason, interagency coordination is of special importance, as are

laws and mandates from different institutions and stakeholders participating in the production

of these statistics.

The institutional axis also refers to the governance of environment statistics, including

relations between producers and users. It is considered as potential users of the environment

statistics the policy decision makers at all levels, the general public, the media and the civil

society, analysts, researchers, members of academia and international agencies. All these aspects

should be considered in the legislation framework in order to be institutionalised. Like this,

regulation won’t leave any aspects regarding environment statistics to arbitrary decisions of the

authorities. In short, quality of the institutional system is of vital importance for the political

commitment that each country may make to improve environment statistics in accordance with

the proposed Strategy.

In the project participating countries, the institutional system in which environment

statistics production and dissemination is developed is variable. It is linked in each country to the

mandates of laws, the political-administrative organization of the country, the degree of

centralization/decentralization of the statistical services, as well as the to the organizational

structures and the articulation of the national statistic systems.

As indicated in the previous chapter, according to the Diagnosis, a relatively favourable

legal and institutional framework for the production of environment statistics is observed in the

countries participating in the project. There is a plan or specific program to produce these

statistics and an administrative unit exclusively focused on this production in seven of the eleven

countries. There is also the existence of inter-institutional working groups.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

76

However, it is an unquestionable fact that the institutionalization of environment

statistics is relative and that its consolidation is still in process, which requires additional efforts

for its full implementation. Environmental statistic programs in six of the eleven countries are in

an intermediate consolidation stage, and in three countries are still in an initial stage. In this

sense, environment statistics production continues to be insufficient in the region, and the

additional financial difficulties reported inhibit the possibility of overcoming these weaknesses.

Moreover, there are areas where communication channels between institutional partners

involved in environment statistics production need to be strengthened. Therefore, even though

the quality of this communication is classified as satisfactory in seven of the eleven countries, it

is non-existent or insufficient in the other four countries.

The coordination level at which environment statistics and the articulation of the national

statistics systems are produced varies from country to country. In general, the progress is at an

intermediate stage. In addition, problems associated with inter-institutional collaboration arise,

partly due to personnel turnover, the scarcity of specialised human resources and, with few

exceptions, to budgetary and management difficulties.

From this perspective, and considering the specificities of each country, goals have been

defined to address specific situations, with the understanding that there are minimal institutional

conditions as a baseline aimed at promoting the process of development and strengthening of

official environment statistics, susceptible to adapting to different institutional models.

STRATEGIC AXIS I OBJECTIVE

The objective of the “Institutional Development” strategic axis is to implement

mechanisms to overcome juridical-institutional limitations that environment statistics

production units currently face. An expectation is to improve the governance and coordination

processes, as well as the assignation of trained personnel and budgetary resources. The success

of this goal will depend on the availability of general resources and the degree of political

commitment to environment statistics and their position in the governance structure of each

country, aspects also considered in institutional development.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

77

STRATEGIC AXIS I GOALS

1. Strengthening or developing, depending of the case, a legal framework for the

environment statistics to clearly indicate each institution’s responsibilities and the

coordination that must be develop between them.

2. Creating or strengthening an administrative unit at the national level that has the legal

mandate to coordinate environment statistics and to integrate the different statistics

producers from the public sector. This unit will be equipped with trained human resources

and it will be backed by appropriate financial resources to develop its functions.

3. Developing and strengthening inter-institutional coordination and articulation

mechanisms supported by a legal framework. This framework shall enable a stable

articulation in the unit in charge of coordinating environment statistics with the other

institutions working on this subject, ensuring the production and delivery of information

with all necessary statistical safeguards.

Figure 16. Strategic Axis I





Indicadores / More and better data

Public Policies

Nat

ion

al L

egal

Fr

amew

ork

s

Secto

ral Plan

s


Production

Building Capacities


STRATEGIC

AXES



A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

78

3.2 Strategic axis II: Strengthening and expanding production, dissemination

and promotion of environment statistics use

Progress made in environment statistics production by countries participating in the

project, specifically over the last two decades, evidences some strengths and weaknesses. From

the perspective of strengths, progress has been made in positioning environmental issues in

official statistics systems, the availability in some countries of a considerable number of

environmental variables, the implementation of surveys or the incorporation of environmental

modules for periodical censuses and surveys and the incorporation of information and

communication technologies for data integration and dissemination.

Despite this progress, certain weaknesses remain and have even been exacerbated over

the years in some cases. Budgetary restrictions, the scarcity of specialised human resources and

difficulties of inter-institutional coordination continue to exist. Limitations on incorporating

statistical programs to address new thematics, restrictions in the use of technological innovations

for data collection operations and difficulties in terms in terms of the sustainability of data

collection programs (which leads to updating frequency limitations) continue to delay progress.

There are also methodological and operational problems in the availability of environmental

information regarding geographic units and minor political-administrative units, as well as the

almost non-existent or highly scarce georeferenced information.

This global vision evidences the presence of difficulties in deepening the study of

environmental issues and their impacts in terms of pollution, land degradation, soil, water and,

in general, natural resources, as well highlighting the relevance of coordination of these issues,

the use of standards, and the need to share information.

STRATEGIC AXIS II OBJECTIVE

This strategic axis aims to broaden and deepen the production, dissemination and use of

environment statistics, understanding that these correspond to a very broad conceptual

spectrum: encompassing thematic domains regarding the environment and natural resources

status, human activity’s impacts and intervention, mitigation, adaptation and restoration

measures.

Therefore, addressing this axis – strengthening and expanding the production,

dissemination and promotion of environment statistics use – requires a multidisciplinary focus,

considering statistical research based on data proceeding from censuses, surveys, administrative

records and remote sensors.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

79

Together with the different approaches to environmental phenomena, it is necessary to

consider that these phenomena take place under their own dynamics, with variable periodicities,

and in geographic areas in which scale will not always match with the political-administrative

limits. This imposes certain restrictions to data accuracy and analysis scales and highlights the

importance of cartographic representations and the integration of information in geographic

information systems.

STRATEGIC AXIS II GOALS

1. Covering environmental information gaps by broadening and deepening the programs

for collecting and compilating environmental data provided by different sources, to

respond to national environmental information requests related to the formulation and

follow-up of public policies, as well as those associated with international initiatives, such

as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The mentioned environmental information gaps apply to the following issues:

Environmental conditions and quality: physical conditions, land cover, ecosystems

and biodiversity and environmental quality.

Environmental resources and their use: non-energy mineral resources, energy

resources, land, soil, biological and water resources.

Residuals: air emissions, waste production and management, wastewater generation

and management and biochemicals application.

Extreme natural events and technological disasters.

Human settlements and environmental health.

Environmental protection and management: environmental protection and resources

management expenditure, environmental governance and regulation, preparedness

for extreme events and disaster management, information and awareness.

2. Progressing in the standardisation of basic environment statistics production processes,

based on the cooperation between the different agencies existing in the country and on

a common legal framework. The objective is to encourage that the information is

supported based on the best international practices, such as the GSBPM, applicable to the

different phases of statistical production (conceptual design, operation, data validation

and processing), as well as in relation to classifiers, standards and procedures applicable

to each of the phases.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

80

3. Progressing in the process of geospatial information generation regarding

environmental issues based on best practices and international agreements.

4. Approaching data users and producers from all areas covered by environment statistics,

considering different types of users. The proposed mechanism to achieve this approach

is to substantially improve information dissemination and access by incorporating

information and communication technologies, as well as the incorporation to metadata

systems and microdata availability, considering statistical confidentiality.

Figure 17. Strategic Axis II



Diagnosis of the situationof the Environment Statistics



Public Policies

Nat

ion

al L

egal

Fr

amew

ork

s

Secto

ral Plan

s


Fortalecimiento de la Producción de información

Building Capacities


EJES ESTRATEGICOS



Production

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

81

3.3 Strategic axis III: Building capacities to support the development and

strengthening of environment statistics in the region

Putting into practice and implementing the Strategy objectives will require human

resources with advanced capacities, specific technical and scientific knowledge and professional

experience. They should also be able to incorporate the multidimensionality of environmental

problems into their work, so that institutional training should be prioritized, based on individual

training.

In fact, environment statistics are based in sources as diverse as censuses or population

surveys, agriculture, industry, housing, households, administrative records from different

institutions and remote sensors, so their production requires a solid statistical methodology and

staff able to work interdisciplinarily.

STRATEGIC AXIS III OBJECTIVE

The objective of this axis is to create the regional and sub regional mechanisms required

to train human resources in the methodological, technical and management areas required for

the production of environment statistics.

STRATEGIC AXIS III GOAL

Formulating and proposing the implementation of a regional training plan on official

environment statistics.

Figure 18. Strategic Axis III






Public Policies

Nat

ion

al L

ega

l

Fram

ewo

rks

Secto

ral Plan

s



Production

Construcción de

Capacidades


EJES ESTRATEGICOS


Building Capacities

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

82

3.4 Strategic axis IV: Strengthening regional and subregional cooperation, as

well as cooperation between countries and institutions.

Addressing environmental challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity,

desertification, pollution and, in general, environmental degradation, requires harmonized

information, reliable and timely data related to global environmental problems as well as

regional, sub-regional and national singularities, including cross-border challenges.

As mentioned above, there are significant differences in the level of development of

environment statistics between countries participating in the project, which presents a wide

opportunity for intra-regional cooperation. Such a possibility is based on the existence of a critical

mass of knowledge in the Region, which can be shared and exchanged to improve mutual

learning among producers of environment statistics.

Collaboration between countries of the Region, in a south-south cooperation approach,

will facilitate triangular cooperation — which is understood as a mechanism for transferring

knowledge and capacities between two countries in the Region, funded by a third country or

organization — with developed countries or with multilateral entities, to share knowledge,

experiences and resources.

According to the Diagnosis carried out, in 2014 there was a certain intensity in the

frequency of events related to international cooperation in the field of environment statistics.

This participation was observed in specific topics, based in atomized events, without timing

permanence guarantees and without planification nor specific objectives, absent also of

mechanisms for the establishment of synergies between the different initiatives. New challenges

and increasing information demands require an elevation of international cooperation at higher

levels, making it a relevant support for the solution to major technical and methodological

challenges currently facing the production of basic environment statistics.

STRATEGIC AXIS IV OBJECTIVE

The objective of this axis is to ensure that international cooperation is constituted as a

real support for the development of environment statistics, capable of making a significant

contribution to its strengthening, by implementing the diverse possibilities that this cooperation

offers. This possibility includes aspects such as structuring the exchange of knowledge and

experiences between institutions and countries, the generation of synergies between different

initiatives, as well as obtaining access to financial resources for the implementation of projects.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

83

Figure 19. Strategic Axis IV


STRATEGIC AXIS IV GOALS

1. Capitalizing on options offered by international cooperation to boost basic environment

statistics production and to better respond to existing information requirements.

2. Fostering south-south cooperation between the countries of the region, to promote the

exchange of knowledge and experiences regarding the production, dissemination and use

of environment statistics.

3. Developing and strengthening cooperation between countries and institutions as well

as triangular cooperation, favouring access to knowledge and human and financial

resources from other countries.





Public Policies

Nat

ion

al L

egal

Fr

ame

wo

rks

Sectoral P

lans



Production

Building Capacities Cooperación

Internacional

EJES ESTRATEGIC

OS



A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

84

4. Action plan

Each of the axes and the goals indicated in the previous section corresponds to a specific

plan of action designed to achieve, through successive actions, the objectives established for

each of the goals. Both the overall Strategy and Action Plan represent a roadmap that each

country should be able to adjust to its specific conditions, taking into account the levels of

development of its environment statistics systems.

4.1 Action plan for atrategic axis I: Institutional development

AXIS I GOAL 1 ACTION PLAN

Goal 1: To develop or strengthen a legal framework in the area of environment statistics

to clearly indicate each institution’s responsibilities, as well as a framework for the coordination

to be developed between them.

Actions

i) To execute a comparative analysis of the legal frameworks, statistical plans, and different

institutional models of countries and specialised agencies with important environment

statistics development. To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of various models,

including centralized and/or decentralized, autarchic and autonomous models.

ii) To formulate a proposal to raise awareness of the authorities responsible for assigning

resources in the field of environment statistics and of regional organisms.


Goal 2: To create or strengthen an administrative unit at the national level with a legal

mandate to coordinate environment statistics and to integrate the different statistics producers

from the public sector. To equip the unit with trained personnel and the appropriate financial

resources to sufficiently develop and execute its functions.

Actions

i) To analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the legal and institutional framework and the

learned lessons in each of the participant countries, on the basis of the Diagnosis of the

Situation of Environment Statistics (see Chapter I).

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

85

ii) To develop collaborative models of structure and functions of an administrative unit or

inter-institutional committee, with a technical secretariat managed by the National

Statistics Offices (NSO), responsible for coordinating the process of environment statistics

production.

iii) To identify the members of the administrative unit or committee responsible for

coordinating the process of environment statistics production, as well as its operating

regulations.


Goal 3: To develop and strengthen inter-institutional coordination and articulation

mechanisms supported by a legal framework. This framework shall enable a stable articulation

in the unit in charge of coordinating environment statistics with other institutions working in this

area, ensuring the production and delivery of information with all the necessary statistical

safeguards.

Actions

i) To identify the relevant institutions related to environment statistics production.

ii) To develop a proposal of guidelines related to agreements and modalities of coordination

and institutional articulation.

iii) To design a data and metadata referential base with public access and permanent

updating by all intervening institutions.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

86

4.2 Action plan for strategic axis II: Strengthening and expanding production,

dissemination and promotion of environment statistics use

AXIS II GOAL 1 ACTION PLAN

Goal 1: To cover environmental information gaps by broadening and deepening the

programs for collecting and compilating environmental data provided by different sources, to

respond to national environmental information requests related to the formulation and follow-

up of public policies, as well as those associated with international initiatives, such as Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs).

Actions

i) To identify existing and currently available information regarding environment statistics

in each country.

ii) To carry out a supply-demand balance of environmental information, based on existing

national and international requirements.

iii) To identify the most appropriate collection and/or compilation methodologies to fill the

information gaps identified, according to best statistical practices.


Goal 2: To progress in the standardisation of basic environment statistics production

processes, based on the cooperation between different existing agencies and using a common

legal framework. The objective is to encourage that the information is supported based on the

best international practices, such as the GSBPM, applicable to the different phases of statistical

production (conceptual design, operation, data validation and processing), as well as the use of

classifiers and standard procedures applicable to each of the phases of the model.

Actions

i) To deep the understanding and application of the GSBPM for the environment statistics

generation.

ii) To identify classifiers applicable to basic environment statistics.

iii) To identify good statistical practices related to classification systems, concept

definitions, variable catalogues and protocols for metadata production.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

87

iv) To identify existing methodologies for the construction of specific sampling design and

for the collection of environmental data related to different components, analysis

scales, and sources, where relevant.

v) To identify quality control guidelines for the entire statistical production process,

including protocols regarding information obtained from remote sensors and

administrative records.

vi) To design actions to implement the Code of Good Statistical Management Practices in

Latin America and the Caribbean, from the Statistical Conference of the Americas (SCA)

of ECLAC, as well as the adaptations carried out by some countries.

vii) To explore the potential of using new data sources, such as Big Data, in accordance with

the proposals made by the United Nations Statistics Commission and the Global Working

Group (GWG) for official statistics.


Goal 3: To progress the process of geospatial information generation regarding

environmental issues, based on best practices and international agreements.

Actions

i) To share geospatial data infrastructure models for statistical purposes to be adapted to

the technological conditions in the countries participating in the project.

ii) To design technical standards and develop guidelines for the use of code tables,

classification systems, and georeferencing criteria consistent between national and

international systems, considering territorial units or coordinate systems, as well as to

formulate protocols relating to geographical metadata.

iii) To develop recommendations to promote the use of remote sensing as a source for

environmental data collection.

iv) To develop guidelines for quality control in the geospatial information production

process.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

88

v) To identify mechanisms for establishing technical collaboration agreements with space

agencies and private companies that develop geographic information systems.

vi) To propose criteria to improve the availability of free geospatial information for citizens.


Goal 4: To approach data users and producers from all areas covered by environment

statistics, considering different types of users. The proposed mechanism to achieve this goal is to

substantially improve information dissemination and access by incorporating information and

communication technologies, as well incorporating metadata systems and microdata availability,

considering statistical confidentiality.

Actions

i) To generate an interinstitutional, open and interoperable IT platform based on standards

that enable the use of the multiple technologies and devices available.

ii) To systematize and organize relevant and quality information, in historical series and

user-friendly formats.

iii) To organize webinars on specific topics.

iv) To propose regular feedback mechanisms to the needs of different users.

v) To develop technical guidelines and material for the formulation of environmental public

plans, programs and policies based on statistical evidence.

vi) To prepare audio-visual materials for dissemination on the advantages of decision making

based on statistical evidence, to both the private and public sectors.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

89

4.3 Action plan for strategic axis III: Building capacities to support the

development and strengthening of environment statistics in the region

AXIS III GOAL 1 ACTION PLAN

Goal 1: To formulate and propose the implementation of a regional training plan on

official environment statistics.

Actions

i) To develop a short, medium and long-term training plan for the participating countries of

the project with the participation of each country.

ii) To identify financing mechanisms for implementing the training plan.

iii) To prepare training materials, host workshops and hold live seminars.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

90

4.4 Action plan strategic axis IV: Strengthening regional and subregional

cooperation, as well as cooperation between countries and institutions

AXIS IV GOAL 1 ACTION PLAN

Goal 1: To capitalise upon the options offered by international cooperation to boost

basic environment statistics production and to better respond to existing information

requirements.

Action

To define mechanisms to identify international cooperation options related to official

environment statistics and its management.


GOAL 2: To foster south-south cooperation between the countries of the Region to

promote the exchange of knowledge and experience regarding the production, dissemination,

and use of environment statistics.

Actions

i) To identify cooperation potential for each country participating in the project.

ii) To facilitate the implementation of cooperation agreements between countries.

iii) To document and disseminate South-South cooperation actions and results.

iv) To produce dissemination material regarding the impact of South-South cooperation.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

91


Goal 3: To develop and strengthen cooperation between countries and institutions as

well as to promote triangular cooperation, favouring access to knowledge as well as human and

financial resources from other countries.

Actions

i) To identify cooperation possibilities between countries and institutions, as well as to

encourage triangular cooperation, that is, between two countries of the Region and

funded by a third, higher developed country.

ii) To collaborate with countries participating in the project in the formulation of

cooperation agreements with developed countries.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

93

Training

plan

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

95

Chapter III. Training plan on official environment statistics

1. Introduction and justification of the regional training plan

As described in Chapter I, the actual state of environment statistics production in the

Region varies from country to country. Despite advances made in the last few decades, there are

still differences between the statistical systems from country to country, information gaps in

relevant areas, lack of harmonization and standardization of criteria and definitions, and

difficulties in information diffusion as well as in the technical and methodological capacities of

the human resources.

As a background to the Regional Training Plan, the conclusions of the diagnosis carried

out and the Strategy elaborated (see Chapters I and II) were taken into consideration. In both

cases, there is clear evidence on the importance of executing capacities training activities and

knowledge updated on the different stages of the environment statistics production, together

with the need for technical training in specific environment topics.

In addition, the diagnosis detected important challenges in generating official

environment statistics comparable among different countries, including the standardization of

organizers’ frameworks and the unification of concepts, definitions and methods. Also, it

highlighted the existence of significant technical and methodological challenges to be solved and

demonstrated that the capacity building process is a central aspect to supporting the

development and strengthening of environment statistics in the region.

As described in Chapter II, the Strategic Axis III: Capacity building to support the

development and strengthening of the environment statistics in the Region highlights among its

objectives that in order to put in practice and implement the objectives of the Regional Strategy,

“human resources with advanced skills will be required, as well as specific technical and scientific

knowledge and professional experience”.

Similarly, the proposal of the Strategic Plan, 2015-2025 elaborated at the Fourteenth

Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of the

Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (SCA-ECLAC) indicates that:

“Latin America and the Caribbean has experienced in the last two decades significant

advances in the economic and social ambits, and in a lesser degree in environment. This

progress has generated new demands of statistical information, both in terms of coverage

and higher levels of disaggregation as well as at the need to have data and indicators for

emerging issues and substantially improved the quality and the timeliness of statistical

information. With different rhythm and scope, the national statistical systems carried out

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

96

modernization and strengthening processes, that however, have not always been enough

to satisfy the demands described. In this way, nowadays important gaps remain to be

closed to respond to the exigent demands of statistical information in the different

countries of the region… In many cases, the agencies do not yet have enough human

resources and there is a high rotation of highly qualify personnel, which prevents them

from having a basic plant of professionals and technicians that contributes to improving

the quality of the official statistics”.

Component 3 “Development and validation of methodological and technical Toolbox” of

the project used the conceptual framework of the Generic Statistical Business Process Model

(GSBPM), to describe and define the necessary phases to produce official environment statistics.

These considerations show that the core of these processes of adaptive change is made

up of the skills and knowledge of personnel, hence the importance of a structured Training Plan.

The training proposed in this Plan is based, among others, on the following premises:

- Official environment statistics production requiring the knowledge, commitment and

participation of different actors, from the political level to the technical and

administrative levels.

- Institutions that are currently working in environment statistics do not always use

harmonized methodologies.

- It is necessary to deepen the knowledge of suitable statistical methodologies of data

collection and compilation on the environment, assimilating the latest innovations on

information technologies, sampling design and the use of administrative records as

statistical information sources.

- Capacity-building should be based on international standards applicable to official

environment statistics and should consider recommendations of specialized institutions

and countries with an advanced statistical development.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

97

2. Relevant pedagogical concepts related to training processes

In this section there is a brief description of some pedagogical concepts needed to

understand the pedagogical foundations of the conceptual model proposed for the Training Plan.

2.1 Basic concepts about the learning process

Overall, “training” can be defined as an educational process of strategic nature applied in

an organized and systematic way, which allows the acquisition of theoretical, technical and

practical knowledge, or the development of specific skills, whose goal is to improve the

performance in the execution of a particular activity or task.

Once training is understood as a "learning process" the model developed by Edgar Dale

called "cone of learning" can be applied, serving as a base for the development of the content

structure of the Training Plan.

This model represents a pyramid or cone of experiences in which each level corresponds

to a different method of learning. At the base are the most effective and participatory methods

and at the top the least effective and most abstract.

Figure 20. Edgar Dale’s Cone of learning

Source: Edgar Dale’s Cone of experience (1966)

Verbal symbols

Visual symbols

Still pictures, radio, recordings

Films

Informative television

Expositions

Visits y excursions

Demostrations

Dramatic participation

Contrived experiences

Direct experiences

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

98

The cone of learning represents the sequence in the depth of learning realized with the

help of different means. At the cusp of the cone is Oral Representation (verbal descriptions and

written descriptions). At the base of the cone, representing the greatest depth of learning, is

Direct Experience in which the learner participates directly in the activity being learned.

The cone of learning has been expanded upon by some authors, giving rise to the scheme

shown below:

Figure 21. Adaptation of Edgar Dale’s Cone of learning

Source: Trends in Adult Education, 2017

2.2 Motivation: central element for learning

"Motivation" is a fundamental pillar of any learning process and can be understood as

the force that moves us to carry out activities. Motivation gives rise to the will to do a task and

to persevere in the effort that is required during the time necessary to achieve it.

Doing a Dramatic Presentation Simulating the Real Experience

Doing the Real Thing

Participating in a discussion Giving a Talk

Watching a movie

Looking at an Exhibit Watching a Demostration

Seeing it Done on Location

Looking at Pictures

Hearing Words

Reading

90% of what we SAY & DO

70% of what we SAY

50% of what we HEAR & SEE

30% of what we SEE

20% of what we HEAR

10% of what we READ

Doing

Receiving/ Participating

Visual Receiving

Verbal Receiving

After 2 Weeks we tend to remember Nature of Involvement

CONE OF LEARNING

(EDGAR COLE)

PASSIV

E

AC

TIVE

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

99

2.3 Learning approaches

A training plan can be carried out through two learning approaches:

- The content learning approach, which is characterized by being oriented to the learning

of theoretical and conceptual information, starting from general concepts until arriving

to the particular ones. The content learning approach includes knowledge of data, facts,

concepts, and principles. This type of learning is also known as declarative knowledge

because it is knowledge that is said, declared or conformed by language.

- The competency learning approach. According to the definition of the International

Labour Organization (ILO), competency is “an effective capacity to successfully carry out

a fully identified work activity. Labour competence is not a probability of success in the

execution of a job, it is a real and demonstrated capacity.”

The concept of competence refers to a person’s capacity to successfully perform a well

identified work activity, in a favourable work environment. Competence is therefore a

personal and non-transferable quality that is specific to the performance of a particular

job, with an acceptable level of quality and in an appropriate work environment.

The competency learning approach has the following characteristics:

It focuses on the development of skills, abilities and knowledge.

Is integrative, linking content with procedures.

Emphasizes participatory learning.

Participants play a leading role.

Combines quantitative and qualitative evaluation.

Seeks a permanent link with practical application.

A competency has 3 components:

- Conceptual, relating to concepts, definitions and data.

- Procedural, including techniques, methods and strategies.

- Attitudinal, relating to values and interests.

Three classes of competencies can be distinguished:

Basics, those of the formative type.

Generics, relating to organization, teamwork and the capacity to decide.

Specifics, relating to skills and knowledge to perform a function.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

100

2.4 Adult learning

According to David Kolb (1984) in adults, there are four ways to acquire new knowledge:

- Experimentation, that is, participating in a direct and concrete experience, where

processes and real facts are observed.

- Theorization, starting from an abstract experience, for example listening to someone

reading a text.

- Reflection, from direct or indirect experiences, done through logical and relational

analysis leading to conclusions.

- Application, through pragmatic use, acting.

Figure 22. Styles to access to a new knowledge

Source: E. Díaz. 2012, EIDOS

From this perspective, optimal learning is the result of working the information over four

phases. These phases represent the four learning styles, although most people tend to specialize

in only one or two styles.

CONCRETE EXPERIENCE

REFLEXIVE OBSERVATION

ABSTRACT CONCEPTUALIZATION

ACTIVE EXPERIENCE

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

101

2.5 Learning by doing

The constructive pedagogy of “learning by doing” is based on delivering to the trainee the

essential tools to build his own procedures to solve a problematic situation, which implies that

his ideas are modified and that he/she continues to learn. The teaching process is understood as

dynamic, participatory and interactive, and its purpose is that knowledge is a construction of the

learner.

2.6 Training modalities

Training can be developed through the following modalities:

- Formation: To impart basic knowledge oriented to provide a broad and general view with

relation to a specific thematic.

- Update: To provide knowledge and experiences derived from recent developments in a

specific topic.

- Specialization: For the deepening and mastery of knowledge and experiences or to the

development of skills, with respect to a specific area.

- Improvement: Completing, expanding or developing the level of knowledge and

experience, to boost the performance of technical, professional, directives or

management functions.

- Complementary: To reinforce the formation of a trainee who handles only part of the

knowledge or skills demanded by its position and who requires reaching a higher level of

understanding.

2.7 Individual and institutional training

Lastly, it is essential to distinguish between individual training and institutional training.

• Individual training provides specific competencies to encounter new challenges, enhance skills, knowledge and experiences.

• From an institutional perspective, training must raise productivity levels with a better use of the available resources and make management more flexible in order to facilitate the incorporation of technological transformations.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

102

3. Objectives and scope of the plan

3.1 Objectives of the plan

The general objective of the Regional Training Plan in Environment Statistics is to ensure

the transfer of theoretical, conceptual, technical, and methodological knowledge involved in the

production of environment statistics.

Specific objectives of the Plan are:

o Develop skills and abilities of the staff of National Statistical Offices, Ministries of

the Environment and other national institutions responsible for the generation of

official environmental statistics.

o Improve the processes involved in the production of environmental statistics.

3.2 Scope of the plan

The Training Plan is designed to strengthen the technical and methodological skills needed

for environment statistics production. The concept “Environment Statistics” includes, according

to classic classifications of statistics, basic environment statistics and derived statistics

(environment accounts and indicators).

The process of environment statistics production is structured according the Generic

Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM).

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

103

4. Target population of the training plan The Regional Environment Statistics Training Plan is aimed at officials of National Statistics

Offices, Ministries of Environment and other national institutions responsible for the generation

of official environment statistics, to improve the processes involved in their production.

The target population of the Plan is the command personnel, analysts and operative

technicians in charge of the production of environmental statistics.

The target population can be classified in three groups:

Group 1

Group 1 is constituted by the decision makers: senior officials and managers of

Environment Ministries, National Statistics Offices and other institutions responsible for

producing environment statistics, as well as other equivalent figures or counterparts at

the first or second level of institutional decision making.

Group 2

This group is constituted by officials and managers responsible for environment statistics

units with decision-making capacity about the projects and operations to be developed,

as directors, managers or similar figures.

Group 3

This group contains the responsible technicians and staff of the units or areas directly

involved in the environment statistics production, in all topics.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

104

5. Conceptual framework of the regional Training plan in official environment statistics

5.1 Preliminary considerations

The conceptual model proposed for the Regional Training Plan includes teaching the

intrinsic characteristics of environment statistics, along with addressing the challenges faced by

National Statistics Offices, the Ministries of the Environment and other sectorial agencies in the

face of increasing national, regional and international demands of quality information to monitor

and account for the environment aspects of the sustainable development of resources.

The proposed model also takes into account the broad thematic spectrum and

interdisciplinary nature of environment statistics, the heterogeneity of the sources and therefore

the different methodologies and processes for data collection and/or compilation. The

production of environment statistics implies applying specific technical knowledge in the field of

statistics and, technical knowledge about the environment. It also requires an adequate

availability of resources and mechanisms of governance and institutional organization.

From the perspective of training, the plan considers that training must be a continuous

and long-term process. This approach is based on a series of pedagogical grounds, which

represent the pillars on which the proposed conceptual model is based:

- Active and participatory methods of learning are more effective than abstract methods.

- The training plan considers the development of motivational activities and mechanisms

as a basic transversal aspect that is part of the overall implementation process of the plan,

as well as part of the specific development of each course or workshop to be carried out.

- It is based on a combination of content and competencies learning.

On the other hand, the conceptual framework is based on the consideration that training

should involve changes, both at the individual and collective level of the production of official

national environmental statistics, highlighting that the final goal of the plan is not the formation

of individuals in the production of environment statistics but the development and strengthening

of national capacities in relation to such production.

In addition, and in accordance with the proposed model, the Plan can be adapted

according to the degree of knowledge and the typology of the participants.

Following is a summary of the general guidelines for the construction of the learning

process of the Plan. This standard model can be adapted by each country and agency according

to their needs and priorities.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

105

5.2 Pedagogical approach

The Plan is based on a competency learning approach, considering competency as an

effective capacity to successfully carry out a fully identified work activity. Labour competence is

not a probability of success in the execution of a job, it is a real and demonstrated capacity.

A competency has 3 components:

• Conceptual, relating to concepts, definitions and data.

• Procedural, including techniques, methods and strategies.

• Attitudinal, relating to the disposition facing values and interests.

This pedagogical approach has the following characteristics: It focuses on the development of skills, abilities and knowledge. It is integrative, linking content with procedures. It emphasizes participatory learning Participants play a leading role. It combines quantitative and qualitative evaluation. Seeks a permanent link with practical application.

5.3 Conceptual approach

The framework of reference and fundamental axis of the Plan is the process of production

of environment statistics. This process is structured according to the Generic Statistical Business

Process Model (GSBPM).

5.4 Methodological approach

The proposed methodological approach includes elements from different authors and

models. Among them, the use of the following methods of access to knowledge:

- Experimenting, participating in a direct and concrete experience, where process and real

facts are observed.

- Theorizing, starting from an abstract experience, for example listening to someone

reading a text.

- Reflecting, from direct or indirect experiences, carried out through logical and rational

analysis that lead to the development of conclusions.

- Applying, through pragmatic use, by acting.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

106

Figure 23. Methods to access a new knowledge


Access will be made available through the methodology of "learning by doing" applied to

the entire training plan.

5.5 Training evaluation and certification

Evaluation of the training constitutes a process of great importance that should be carried

out at different intervals during the training process; in the beginning, middle, and end of the

program. It is a systematic process for assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of the training

efforts.

Evaluation is not an extra activity within the training, but rather a very important phase

of training that should be carried out at each phase of the cycle as a process itself. It should,

therefore, be part of the training sessions and be carried out in a timely manner. Data obtained

from evaluations are useful for decision making about the teaching – learning process, the

implemented procedures that are intended to make an impact with the training or formative

training actions, as well as in relation to the same evaluation activity.

Experimenting

Theorizing

Reflecting

Applying

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

107

In 1959, Donald Kirkpatrick, professor at the University of Wisconsin, presented his model

of training assessment based on behavioural and cognitive learning theories. Although more than

50 years have passed the model is still valid. This model presents four levels of evaluation, namely

reaction, learning, behaviour/transfer and results/performance.

In the present Training Plan, it is proposed that the evaluation of the plan be carried out

according to the four levels mentioned:

- Satisfaction or reaction. Determining to what extent the staff valued the training action.

It is proposed that the information be collected by filling out a training evaluation survey

that covers all the executed training actions.

- Learning. It is recommended to evaluate the incorporation of knowledge through the use

of a written test that allows for a quantitative evaluation of learning and application. For

accuracy, an evaluation prior to the start of the training and another at the end of the

training are recommended to accurately measure learning.

- Application or transfer. Measuring the impact of the training action on the

tasks/activities related to the functions of the staff. A proposal for its evaluation is the

elaboration of an agenda of application or work planning, where lines of work can be

established.

- Performance. Measuring the impact or benefit of the training in terms of achievement of

goals at the institutional level. This verification is proposed after the last technical

assistance received.

Each of the criteria and methods are to be adapted for each cycle and module proposed

in the curriculum.

In relation to training certification, a global certification is proposed for those participants

who complete a selected group of proposed cycles with the possibility of obtaining partial

certification on some proposed modules. These certifications should be designed considering the

profiles of the participants and their actual training needs.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

108

5.6 Final considerations related to the conceptual model proposed The proposed model is based in the principles of flexibility, versatility, and relevance,

applicable to the different combinations of audiences and modalities that could be used in

training sessions.

Each trainer should use the curriculum to plan their training sessions, through a

methodological script according to their teaching style while considering the guidelines

established in the conceptual model proposed.

Lastly, it should be highlighted that motivation constitutes a transversal axis of the Plan,

and it must be manifested through teaching and learning strategies aimed to promote active

participation, collaborative construction of knowledge and transference of theory to practice,

which contributes to the generation of meanings in relation to the learned thematic.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

109

6. Training plan curriculum

A curriculum is an instrument that contains the structure of the design in which the

trainers approach the content of a given training, in an articulated and integrated way, allowing

an overview of the general structure of an area.

Curriculum is organized into cycles, modules, themes and sub-themes. The curriculum has

the following 5 cycles:

Cycle I. Conceptual and methodological foundations of environment statistics

Cycle II. Thematic areas of environment statistics

Cycle III. Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) applied to environment

statistics

Cycle IV. Improvement in the production of environment statistics

Cycle V. Derived statistics: environmental indicators and accounts

Each of the previous cycles consists of several modules as shown below:

Cycle I. Conceptual and methodological foundations of environment statistics

Module 1. Basic environmental concepts

Module 2. Basic concepts of statistics

Module 3. Scope and situation of environment statistics

Module 4. Theoretical-methodological frameworks of environment statistics

Module 5. Main international and regional initiatives related to environment statistics

Cycle II. Thematic topics of environment statistics

Module 6. Water resources and wastewater

Module 7. Consumption of materials, chemical substances and waste

Module 8. Energy

Module 9. Atmosphere-air-climate

Module 10. Ecosystems and biodiversity

Module 11. Oceans, seas and fishery resources

Module 12. Land and soil

Module 13. Extreme events and disasters

Module 14. Human settlements and environmental health

Module 15. Environment protection, management and commitment

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

110

Cycle III. Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) applied to environment statistics

Module 16. Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM)

Module 17. Phases of the GSBPM and subprocesses applied to environment statistics

Module 18. Over-arching processes of the GSBPM

Cycle IV. Improvement in the production of environment statistics

Module 19. Data from remote sensors and satellite images

Module 20. Use of administrative records for statistical purposes

Module 21. Introduction to Big Data and its tools

Module 22. Statistical operations design

Module 23. Statistical classifiers

Module 24. Survey design methodologies

Module 25. Questionnaire design

Module 26. Sampling techniques

Module 27. Operational manuals design

Module 28. Update of directories for statistical purposes

Module 29. Statistical data processing

Module 30. Statistical data validation

Module 31. Statistical data imputation

Module 32. Specialized software use

Module 33. Statistical data analysis

Module 34. Time series analysis

Module 35. Statistical information dissemination

Module 36. Statistical operations evaluation

Module 37. Statistical process quality management

Module 38. Metadata management

Module 39. Geospatial data management

Cycle V. Derived statistics: environment indicators and accounts

Module 40. Environment indicators

Module 41. Environment accounting

As was mentioned above, for each of module several themes and sub-themes are

proposed. Annex V contains the complete curriculum for your consultation.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

111

7. Proposal for curriculum implementation

7.1 Implementation by target population groups

The implementation of the Training Plan is proposed according to the target population

groups established as is detailed below:

Group 1

Consists of the decision makers: senior officials and managers of the Environment

Ministries, National Statistics Offices and other institutions responsible for producing

environment statistics, as well as other equivalent figures or counterparts at the first or second

level of institutional decision making.

A proposed “awareness program” for this group with meetings where discussion of the

one or more of the following issues could be addressed, according to specific identified needs.

o Introduction to environment statistics. Scope and situation at national, regional and

international level.

o The importance of generating quality environment statistics. Demands for

environment statistics at the national, regional and international levels.

o Methodological and conceptual framework development and availability in relation

with environment statistics.

o Human and financial resources assigned to the production of environment statistics.

The pedagogical materials needed for the development of this awareness program are

based on the contents of the Toolkit and can be adapted to the needs of the participants and

turned into PowerPoint presentations, information cards or any other support materials

considered appropriate.

Groups 2 & 3

As was already defined, Group 2 contains officials and managers responsible for

environment statistics units with decision-making capacity about the projects and operations to

be developed, as directors, managers or similar figures. Group 3 is composed of the technicians

and staff of the units or areas directly involved in environment statistics production.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

112

The training proposed for these two groups includes:

o Introduction to environment statistics. Scope and situation at national, regional and

international level.

o The importance of generating quality environmental statistics. Demands for

environment statistics at the national, regional and international levels.

o The GSBPM model. Description and phases of the statistical production process.

General over-arching processes and statistical over-arching processes.

o Coordination of institutions involved in the production of environment statistics.

Definition and implementation of standards to produce environment statistics.

In this case, training could be based on a blended format using a combination of:

On-line training, with support of the Toolkit used as didactic material and through access

to a virtual classroom. The virtual tutor can guide the reading and work to be done based

on the Toolkit and the resolution of questions or concerns on the part of the trainees.

- Face to face training based on:

o Development of courses and workshops. The purpose of face to face training is:

To deepen knowledge of specific subjects proposed in the curriculum that are

not developed in the Toolkit.

To complete and implement those topics of the curriculum included in the

Toolkit.

o Technical assistances to countries. As a relevant support to the learning process, it

is proposed to provide the possibility of receiving technical assistance, according to

the needs of each country.

7.2 Implementation of the curriculum at the initial level

The curriculum consists of 5 cycles and a total of 41 modules. For its implementation, a

set of contents have been selected which constitute an initial level of development that allows

the implementation of environment statistics operations in an integral manner.

Table 16 shows the topics corresponding to this implementation of the curriculum at the

initial level, as well as the number of hours of training estimated for each of the cycles and

modules.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

113

The conceptual and methodological foundations of environment statistics (Cycle I) are

addressed first, followed by two thematic areas of Cycle II. Training is continued with the

approach to the GSBPM (Cycle III), both from a general perspective as well as in relation to their

link with Environment Statistics typical operations. Finally, two specifics modules are proposed

corresponding to administrative registers and geospatial data management.

In the initial implementation proposal, the selected thematic topics are "water resources

and wastewater" and "consumption of materials, chemicals substances and waste", considering

that they are two of the topics of highest priority for the Region. In any case, the selection of

thematic topics would be based on the specific needs of the countries.

In this way, at the completion of the initial level of training, participants would have the

necessary skills to address the production of environment statistics on the two environmental

areas selected.

Table 16. Curriculum implementation at initial level

Denomination Duration

(hours)

Cycle I. Conceptual and methodological foundations of Environment Statistics Module 1. Basic concepts about the environment Module 3. Scope and situation of Environment Statistics Module 4. Theoretical-methodological frameworks of Environment Statistics Module 5. Main international and regional initiatives related to Environmental Statistics

80

16

16

32

16

Cycle II. Thematic topics of Environment Statistics Module 6. Water resources and wastewater

Module 7. Consumption of materials, chemicals substances and waste

80

40

40

Cycle III. Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) applied to Environment Statistics

Module 16. Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM)

Module 17. Phases of the GSBPM and subprocesses applied to Environment

Statistics

Module 18. Over-arching processes of the GSBPM

160

8

128

24

Cycle IV. Improvement in the production of Environment Statistics Module 20. Use of administrative records for statistical purposes Module 39. Geospatial data management

80

40

40

Estimated total duration 400

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

114

The estimated duration for this initial level proposal is 400 hours in total (50 days over 10

weeks). These weeks could be developed in a timing horizon variable. Table 17 provides a sample

year-long training schedule.

Table 17. Schedule proposed for the implementation of the initial level in 1 year

Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Cycle I

Cycle II

Cycle III

Cycle IV

7.3 Implementation of the rest of the curriculum

In relation to the rest of the topics included the curriculum, an expansion and deepening

of knowledge in both the thematic topics of environment statistics and the application of specific

aspects of the GSBPM is proposed, according to the needs of each individual country.

The topics are listed in Table 18, along with the estimated duration for each of the cycles

and modules.

The estimated duration to complete the curriculum is 1.200 hours, over the course of 30

weeks. In this case, a time horizon of three years is proposed, scalable to five years, always

depending on the national training needs and the available resources.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

115

Table 18. Implementation of the rest of the curriculum

Denomination Duration

(hours)

Cycle I. Conceptual and methodological foundations of Environment Statistics Module 2. Basic concepts of statistics

40 40

Cycle II. Thematic topics of Environment Statistics Module 8. Energy Module 9. Atmosphere-air-climate Module 10. Ecosystems and biodiversity Module 11. Oceans, seas and fishery resources Module 12. Land and soils Module 13. Extreme events and disasters Module 14. Human settlements and environmental health Module 15. Environment protection, management and commitment

320 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40

Cycle IV. Improvement in the production of Environment Statistics Module 19. Data from remote sensors and satellite images

Module 21. Introduction to Big Data and its tools Module 22. Statistical operations design Module 23. Statistical classifiers Module 24. Survey design methodologies Module 25. Questionnaire design Module 26. Sampling techniques Module 27. Operational manual design

Module 28. Update of directories for statistical purposes Module 29. Statistical data processing Module 30. Statistical data validation Module 31. Statistical data imputation

Module 32. Specialized software use Module 33. Statistical data analysis

Module 34. Time series analysis Module 35. Statistical information dissemination Module 36. Statistical operations evaluation Module 37. Statistical process quality management Module 38. Metadata management

760 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40

Cycle V. Derived statistics: environment indicators and accounts Module 40. Environment indicators Module 41. Environment accounting

80

40

40

Estimated total duration 1.200

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

116

8. Estimated cost of the training plan

Some of the proposed content may be developed and implemented by national

institutions (national statistical offices, ministries of environment or universities), to minimize the

financial resources necessary for carrying out the training. Examples of these modules with the

possibility of national implementation are those related to the basic concepts of environment

and statistics, the module on specialized software, or the modules related to sampling techniques

and metadata management.

8.1 Estimated cost according to the proposed implementation of the curriculum

The estimated cost for the curriculum implementation is presented below. An

international consultant-trainer remuneration of 100$/ hour, which includes both the training

sessions and the preparation of the necessary training materials, has been used for calculation.

The estimated costs do not include travel expenses and travel allowances, nor expenses related

to the rental of classroom space or other means related to the training.

The cost has been calculated for one country, assuming a single country assumes the

entire costs associated with the actual training and the preparation of the pedagogic materials

required.

Table 19. Cycles and modules of the curriculum with the duration and cost estimated

INITIAL LEVEL REST

Unit name Hours Estimated cost USD

Hours Estimated cost USD

Cycle I: Conceptual and methodological foundations of environment statistics

80 8.000$ 40 4.000$

Module 1. Basic environmental concepts 16 1.600 $

Module 2. Basic concepts of statistics 40 4.000 $

Module 3. Scope and situation of environment statistics 16 1.600 $

Module 4. Theoretical-methodological frameworks of environment statistics

32 3.200$

Module 5. Main international and regional initiatives related to environment statistics

16 1.600$

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

117

INITIAL LEVEL REST



Cycle II. Thematic topics of environment statistics 80 8.000$ 320 32.000$

Module 6. Water resources and wastewater 40 4.000$ Module 7. Consumption of materials, chemical

substances and waste

40 4.000$

Module 8. Energy 40 4.000$ Module 9. Atmosphere-air-climate 40 4.000$ Module 10. Ecosystems and biodiversity 40 4.000$ Module 11. Oceans, seas and fishery resources 40 4.000$

Module 12. Lands and soils 40 4.000$ Module 13. Extreme events and disasters 40 4.000$ Module 14. Human settlements and environmental

health

40 4.000$

Module 15. Environment protection, management and

commitment

40 4.000$

Cycle III: Generic Statistical Business Process Model

(GSBPM) applied to environment statistics

160 16.000$

Module 16. Generic Statistical Business Process Model

(GSBPM)

8 800$

Module 17. Phases of the GSBPM and subprocesses

applied to environment statistics

128 12.800$

Module 18. Over-arching processes of the GSBPM 24 2.400$ Cycle IV. Improvement in the production of

environment statistics

80 8.000$ 760 76.000$

Module 19. Data from remote sensors and satellite images

40 4.000$

Module 20. Use of administrative records for statistical purposes

40 4.000$

Module 21. Introduction to Big Data and its tools 40 4.000$ Module 22. Statistical operations design 40 4.000$ Module 23. Statistical classifiers 40 4.000$ Module 24. Survey design methodologies 40 4.000$ Module 25. Questionnaire design 40 4.000$ Module 26. Sampling techniques 40 4.000$ Module 27. Operation manuals design 40 4.000$ Module 28. Update of directories for statistical purposes

40 4.000$

Module 29. Statistical data processing 40 4.000$

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

118

INITIAL LEVEL REST



Module 30. Statistical data validation 40 4.000$ Module 31. Statistical data imputation 40 4.000$ Module 32. Specialized software use 40 4.000$ Module 33. Statistical data analysis 40 4.000$ Module 34. Time series analysis 40 4.000$ Module 35. Statistical information dissemination 40 4.000$ Module 36. Statistical operations evaluation 40 4.000$ Module 37. Statistical process quality management 40 4.000$ Module 38. Metadata management 40 4.000$ Module 39. Geospatial data management 40 4.000$ Cycle V. Derived statistics: environment indicators

and accounts

80 8.000$

Module 40. Environment indicators 40 4.000$

Module 41. Environment accounting 40 4.000$

Implementation total estimated cost 400 40.000$ 1.200 120.000$

8.2 Estimated cost according to the number of countries participating in

training

Should more than one country choose to collaborate on training, the costs associated

with the preparation of the pedagogic materials would be shared, significantly lowering costs for

each country. Table 20 presents scenarios corresponding to an implementation of four and eight

countries collaborating. In the presented scenarios, the countries cooperatively assume the costs

of preparation of the pedagogical materials, but individually assume the costs associated with

the actual training.

Thus, the basic level training provided by a single country would amounts to an estimated

USD 40,000. This amount drops to USD 25,000 per country should four countries collaborate and

falls to USD 22,500 if eight countries work together.

Table 20. Estimated cost by number of participating countries

Scenario Initial level Rest

Number of hours

Cost Number of hours

Cost

TOTAL 1 country 400 40.000$ 1.200 120.000$

TOTAL 4 countries 400 25.000$ 1.200 75.000$

TOTAL 8 countries 400 22.500$ 1.200 67.500$

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

119

9. Final considerations about the training plan

The Training Plan proposed aims to satisfy the learning needs of the participating countries in a structured, complete, rigorous and flexible way. The different starting situations of each country justify the Plan should be able to be developed in different time horizons and with very variable costs. Considering the different situation of environment statistics production among countries, the Plan has been designed so it can be adapted to different starting situations, in terms of timing and costs. The culmination of the training should guarantee the institutional development of the necessary capacities for the production of quality environment statistics that satisfy the national and international needs in this area for each country.

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

121

Annexes

Annex I. Responsibles for the completion of the diagnosis questionnaire

Country Responsible from the National Statistic Office

Institution Agent Position email addresses

Bahamas Statistics

Department Clarice

Turnquest Assistant Director

[email protected]

Belize Statistical

Institute of Belize

Leopold Perriot Manager Director [email protected]

Colombia

National Administrative Department of

Statistics

Eduardo Freire Delgado

Technical Director of Methodology and

Statistical Production

[email protected]

Costa Rica

National Institute of

Statistics and Census

Fabio Herrera Ocampo

Environment Statistics

Coordinator in the National Statistic

System

[email protected]

Dominican Republic

National Statistics Office

Natividad Martínez

Environmental Analyst

[email protected]

Ecuador



Janeth Castillo Jara

Analyst for Agricultural and Environmental

Statistics

[email protected]

Jamaica Statistical

Institute of Jamaica

Janet Geoghagen-

Martin

Director of Census and Statistics, Social

and Demographic Division

[email protected]

Mexico


Statistics and Geography

Martín Wilson Sánchez

Environmental Surveys Director

[email protected]

Panama



Diliana Mena Environmental

Statistics Analyst [email protected]

Suriname General Bureau

of Statistics Anjali De Abreu-

Kisoensingh

Staff member at the Scientific Research and Development

Division

Venezuela National

Institute of Statistics

Dinoira Moreno Manager of

Environment Statistics

[email protected]

Source: Own preparation based on the Self-Diagnosis Questionnaire on the Situation of Official Environment Statistics 2014

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

mailto:[email protected]










122

Country

Responsible for the Ministry of Environment

Institution Agent Position email addresses

Bahamas

The Bahamas Environment, Science

& Technology Commission

Samantha Miller

Environmental Officer

Belize Department of Environment

Edgar Ek Deputy Chief

Environmental Officer

[email protected]

Ecuador Ministry of the Environment

Franco Carvajal Environmental

Indicators Technical Analyst

[email protected]

Jamaica National Environment and Planning Agency

Michael Myles Monitoring and

Evalutaion Officer

Mexico Secretariat of

Environment and Natural Resources

Arturo Flores Martínez

General Director of Environment

Statistics and Environmental

Information

[email protected]

Panama National

Environmental Authority

Neyra Herrera Statistics Area Responsible

[email protected]

Suriname

Ministry of Labour, Technological

Development and Environment

Mrs. Haidy Aroma

Senior Policy Officer at the Environment Directorate

[email protected]

Note: Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela did not report information from the Environment

Institutions


2014

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018






123

Annex II. Administrative-political division of each country of the project

Country Levels Subdivision name Number of

subdivisions

Bahamas 2nd level of the political-administrative subdivision Local Government -

Belize

2nd level of the political-administrative subdivision District 6

3rd level of the political-administrative subdivision Municipality/Village 9

4th level of the political-administrative subdivision Electoral Division 31

Colombia

2nd level of the political-administrative subdivision Department 32

3rd level of the political-administrative subdivision Municipality 1101

4th level of the political-administrative subdivision Population Center 8098

Costa Rica

2nd level of the political-administrative subdivision Province 7

3rd level of the political-administrative subdivision Canton 81

4th level of the political-administrative subdivision District 478

Dominican Republic

2nd level of the political-administrative subdivision Macro-region 3

3rd level of the political-administrative subdivision Development or planning

region 10

4th level of the political-administrative subdivision Province 32

5th level of the political-administrative subdivision Municipality 256

Ecuador

2nd level of the political-administrative subdivision Region 4

3rd level of the political-administrative subdivision Province 24

4th level of the political-administrative subdivision Canton 221

5th level of the political-administrative subdivision Parish 1149

Jamaica

2nd level of the political-administrative subdivision County 3

3rd level of the political-administrative subdivision Parish 14

4th level of the political-administrative subdivision Electoral District 60

Mexico

2nd level of the political-administrative subdivision Federal State 32: 31 States and a

Federal District

3rd level of the political-administrative subdivision Municipality and

Delegation

2457: 2441 municipalities and

16 delegations

Panama

2nd level of the political-administrative subdivision Province 10

3rd level of the political-administrative subdivision District 77

4th level of the political-administrative subdivision Township 648

5th level of the political-administrative subdivision Indigenous county 5

Suriname 2nd level of the political-administrative subdivision District 10

3rd level of the political-administrative subdivision Subdistrict or Resorts 62

Venezuela

2nd level of the political-administrative subdivision State 24

3rd level of the political-administrative subdivision Municipality 335

4th level of the political-administrative subdivision Parish 1091


A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

124

Annex III. Criteria for defining the priority level in data collection

Criteria

Low Medium High

(Al least one of the following criterion must be met)

1. Variable or topic related to environmental elements that are not present or not abundant in the country, for example, seas, glaciers, snow, lakes, wetlands, etc. 2. Variable or topic not related to any of the following documents: a. National Development Plan b. Regular national reports on the state of the environment c. Environment Statistics Plan d. Reports derived from international commitments 3. Variable or topic with scarce or null demand registered by information users.

1. Variable or topic related to short-term initiatives and/or projects.

1. Variable or topic that responds to an information need for monitoring the axes, objectives or goals of the National Development Plan. 2. Variable or topic required for the elaboration of periodic reports on the state of the environment generated by the Ministry of Environment or its equivalent, for implementing a national environmental program. 3. Variable or topic related to the objectives and goals of the National Statistical Plan in relation to the environment. 4. Variable or topic related to necessary information to create reports derived from international commitments (treaties, agreements, conventions, etc.) that are established or in the process of being established. 5. Variable or topic with high frequency of demand in the records of requirements by information users, including those raised in specialized technical committees that operate within the framework of the National Statistical Information System or its equivalent. 6. High priority variable or topic with information gaps detected by diagnosis about the environment statistics information needs.

Source: Author’s preparation based on the Self-Diagnosis Questionnaire on Official Environment Statistics 2014

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

125

Annex IV. Information on international cooperation projects or events

Country Name of the project or event Type of event

Granted cooperation

Received cooperation

Year Involved agency -

countries

Bahamas Environment Statistics Workshop

Course or workshop

X 2014 CARICOM

Belize NR NR NR NR NR NR

Colombia

Support for developing countries to measure their progress towards a green economy

Course or workshop

X 2014 United Nations

Colombia Monitoring of green growth in the LAC Region

Course or workshop

X 2013

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

Colombia

Water accounting for public policies based on evidence and monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Seminar X 2014 ECLAC

Costa Rica

Technical Team Meeting of the Project for the development and strengthening of official environment statistics.

Course or workshop

X 2014 INEGI / ECLAC / IDB

Costa Rica Green Growth Monitoring Indicators

Course or workshop

X 2014 DENU/ UNIDO

Costa Rica Environmental Accounting Course or workshop

X 2012 INEGI / ECLAC/ UNIDO

Costa Rica Water Statistics Institutionalization

Course or workshop

X 2012 ECLAC / UNIDO

Costa Rica Elaboration of Environmental and Sustainable Development Indicators

Course or workshop X 2009 ECLAC / UNEP

Costa Rica Environmental protection expenditure

Seminar X 2013 INEGI/ ECLAC

Dominican Republic

Latin American regional workshop on monitoring, reporting and verification

Course or workshop X 2014 FAO

Dominican Republic

Technical Team Meeting of the Project for the development and strengthening of official environment statistics

Course or workshop

X 2014 IDB, ECLAC, INEGI

NR: No information reported


A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

126

Country Name of the project or event Type of event

Granted cooperation


Year Involved agency

- countries

Dominican Republic

Mesoamerican training workshop about emissions inventories and mitigation plans in the agricultural sector, land use and change and forestry sector

Course or workshop

X 2014 FAO

Dominican Republic

2nd Workshop on statistics related to greenhouse gas emissions

Course or workshop X 2013 FAO

Dominican Republic

Workshop for the constitution and planning of the Project for the development and strengthening of official environment statistics

Course or workshop

X 2013 IDB, ECLAC, INEGI

Dominican Republic

Workshop on environmental protection expenditure and waste

Course or workshop

X 2011

National Statistics Institute of Spain and IDB

Ecuador

Capacity building for the integration of Energy, Sustainable Development Goals, targets and indicators into the National Statistical Programs in Latin American countries.

Course or workshop

X 2015 ONU-SE4ALL-IEA-PNUD

Ecuador

Technical Assistance for National Institute of Statistics and Census in relation to the FDES.

Technical assistance

X 2014 UN

Jamaica Environment statistics workshop

Course or workshop

X 2014 CARICOM

Jamaica SEEA (System Environmental-Economic Accounting)

Course or workshop

X 2014 UNSD & CARICOM


Course or workshop

X 2011 CARICOM


Course or workshop

X 2010 CARICOM

Jamaica

Capacity building related to the implementation of Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAS) in African, Caribbean & Pacific (ACP) countries


X 2012 CARICOM


A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

127

Country Name of the project or

event Type of event

Granted cooperation


Year Involved agency

- countries

Mexico

Exchange of experiences in: -Construction of index and indicators about environment and sustainable development - Mechanisms to transfer statistical and geographical information between governmental institutions.

Course or workshop

X 2013 Peru, Mexico

Mexico

Exchange of experiences to implement a national environmental information system

Course or workshop

X 2011 Argentina, Mexico

Panama

2nd Workshop on agricultural statistics to calculate greenhouse gas emissions produced by the sector

Course or workshop X 2013

FAO/Latin American countries

Panama

Green indicators, capacities and small and medium enterprises (SME)


ECLAC (Division of Production, Productivity and Management), International Research Development Center (IRDC) of Canada, el Centro International de Investigaciones and the OECD

Panama

Meeting of the working group on environmental indicators of the Latin American and Caribbean Initiative for Sustainable Development (ILAC)

Course or workshop

X 2011

UNEP/Latin American countries working on ILAC

Suriname NR NR NR NR NR NR



A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

128

Country Name of the

project or event Type of event

Granted cooperation


Year Involved agency -

countries

Venezuela

Environmental indicators calculation (ILAC/MDG7)


Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Nicaragua, Chile, El Salvador-ECLAC, UNEP

Venezuela

Methodology for the calculation of environmental indicators for Venezuela


Venezuela National Statistical System and ECLAC

Venezuela

Methodology for the calculation of environmental indicators


Colombia, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Cuba, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, Panama and ECLAC

Venezuela

New methodological developments and operational challenges in the field of environment statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean

Seminar X 2011

Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Chile, Dominican Republic, ECLAC, ILAC, INEGI and Knowledge transmission network

Venezuela Horizontal technical advice


X 2010 Venezuela, ANAM-Panama



A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

129

Annex V. Curriculum

Unit name Number of hours

CYCLE I: CONCEPTUAL AND METHODOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF ENVIRONMENT STATISTICS 120

MODULE 1: BASIC CONCEPTS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT 1.1 Natural resources. Concept of renewable and non-renewable resources. Quality and

availability of resources. 1.1.1 Water 1.1.2 Soil 1.1.3 Air 1.1.4 Energy 1.1.5 Raw materials 1.1.6 Ecosystems and biodiversity

1.2 Environmental pollution. Concept of pollution. 1.2.1 Air emissions 1.2.2 Wastewater discharges 1.2.3 Waste generation 1.2.4 Radiation

1.3 Pollution prevention and control. Environmental management. 1.4 Human settlements and environmental health. 1.5 Environmental economy.

1.5.1 Sustainable development 1.5.2 Positive and negative externalities 1.5.3 Economic evaluation of ecosystemic services 1.5.4 Economic efficiency 1.5.5 Adjusted net savings. Green GDP. 1.5.6 Circular economy.

40

MODULE 2. BASIC CONCEPTS OF STATISTIC 2.1 Concepts and definitions.

2.1.1 Statistic, statistical units, variables, statistical data and data matrix

2.1.2 Tables and graphs elaboration

2.1.3 Statistical Operations Inventory

2.1.4 National Statistical System

2.2 Descriptive Statistic introduction.

2.2.1 Central tendency measures: mean, median and mode

2.2.2 Variability measures: range, variance, standard deviation and variation

coefficient

2.2.3 Distribution measures

2.3 Inferential Statistic Introduction

2.3.1 Universe

2.3.2 Population

2.3.3 Sample

2.3.4 Probability Theory

2.3.5 Statistical Inferenced Theory

2.3.6 Sampling types. Probabilistic and non-probabilistic

2.3.7 Sampling associated errors

2.3.8 Statistical disaggregation levels

40

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

130


MODULE 3. SCOPE AND SITUATION OF ENVIRONMENT STATISTICS 3.1 Environmental information 3.2 Scope of environment statistics 3.3 Situation of environment statistics at national, regional and international levels

8

MODULE 4. THEORETICAL-METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORKS OF ENVIRONMENT STATISTICS 4.1 Pressure-State-Response Model (PSR) of the Organization for Economic Co-operation

and Development (OECD) 4.2 Driving Force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response Model (FPSIR) of the European

Environment Agency (EEA) 4.3 Framework for the Development of Environment Statistics (FDES) of the United Nations

and its implementation. 4.3.1 FDES 2013 presentation

4.3.2 Auto-Diagnosis Tool for Environment Statistics (ADTES)

4.3.3 Putting the Framework for the Development of Environment Statistics (FDES)

to work – A Blueprint for Action

4.3.4 Basic Set of Environment Statistics (BSES)

4.3.5 Basic Set of Environment Statistics Manual

- Mining resources

- Energy resources

4.4 United Nations System of Environmental-Economic Accounts (SEEA)

4.4.1 Introduction to the SEEA Central Framework

16

MODULE 5. MAIN INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL INITIATIVES RELATED TO ENVIRONMENT

STATISTICS

5.1 Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

5.1.1 What is Agenda 2030?

5.1.2 Sustainable Development Goals, Targets and Indicators.

5.2 Latin America and the Caribbean Initiative for Sustainable Development (LACI)

5.3 Paris 2015 Agreement. Conference of Paris on Climate Change COP 21.

5.4 Sendai Framework for Disasters Risk Reduction 2015-2030.

5.5 REDD+ Initiative (Reduce Emissions for Deforestation and Degradation)

5.6 United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management

Initiative (UN-GGIM)

5.7 Green Economy, Green Growth and Green Production initiatives:

5.7.1 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Green Economy Initiative

5.7.2 United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) Green Economy Indicators.

5.7.3 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Green

Growth Strategy

5.7.4 Green Production Indicators: a guide towards Sustainable Development.

Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)

16

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

131


CYCLE II. THEMATIC TOPICS OF ENVIRONMENT STATISTICS

400

MODULE 6. WATER RESOURCES AND WASTEWATER

6.1 Definitions

6.2 The water cycle

6.3 Data sources related to water resources and wastewater

6.4 Hydric supply calculation

6.5 Water supply

6.6 Water consumption and use. Use and consumption by economic sectors (agriculture,

households, industrial sector…)

6.7 Wastewater management: sanitation and treatment

6.8 International recommendations on water statistics

6.9 Water SDGs

6.10 United Nations Water Questionnaire

6.11 Water accounting (Environmental and Economic Accounting System)

40

MODULE 7. CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALES, CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES AND WASTE

7.1 Definitions

7.2 Discharge of chemical substances into the environment

7.3 Integrated waste management

7.4 Data sources related to the discharge of chemical substances and waste

7.5 Hazardous and non-hazardous waste generation

7.6 Waste generation by economic sectors

7.7 Waste management and final disposal

7.8 Waste SDGs

7.9 United Nations Waste Questionnaire

7.10 Waste accounting (Environmental and Economic Accounting System)

40

MODULE 8. ENERGY

8.1 Definitions

8.2 Energy production and consumption

8.3 Renewable and non-renewable energy

8.4 Energy efficiency

8.5 Data sources related to energy production and consumption

8.6 Energy SDGs

8.7 Energy accounting (Environmental and Economic Accounting System)

40

MODULE 9. ATMOSPHERE-AIR-CLIMATE

9.1 Definitions

9.2 Main air pollutants and their effects

9.3 Air quality

9.4 Emissions and Immisions

9.5 Greenhouse gases inventory elaboration

9.6 Atmosphere SGSs

9.7 Atmospheric accounting (Environmental and Economic Accounting System)

40

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

132


MODULE 10. ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY

10.1 Definitions

10.2 Data sources about ecosystems and biodiversity

10.3 Fauna

10.4 Flora

10.5 Protected areas

10.6 Forest management

10.7 Biodiversity SDGs

10.8 Forest accounting (Environmental and Economic Accounting System)

40

MODULE 11. OCEANS, SEAS AND FISHERY RESOURCES

11.1 Definitions

11.2 Data sources about oceans, seas and fishery resources

11.3 Fishery catches

11.4 Sustainable fishing

11.5 Oceans, seas and fishery resources SDGs

40

MODULE 12. LAND AND SOIL

12.1 Definitions

12.2 Data sources about land and soil

12.3 Desertification

12.4 Agricultural activities

12.5 Sustainable agriculture

12.6 Land/soil SDGs

40

MODULE 13. EXTREME EVENTS AND DISASTERS

13.1 Definitions

13.2 Data sources about extreme events and disasters

13.3 Types of extreme phenomena

13.4 Disaster rate of occurrence

13.5 Impact of disasters

13.6 Extreme events and disasters SDGs

40

MODULE 14. HUMAN SETTLEMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

14.1 Urban and rural populations

14.2 Population Access to basic services

14.3 Health problems related to environmental conditions (air and water quality, vector

diseases, radiation exposure and toxic substances presence).

14.4 Human settlements and environmental health SDGs

40

MODULE 15. ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION, MANAGEMENT AND COMMITMENT

15.1 Resource management and environmental protection expenditure

15.2 Environmental regulation and governance

15.3 Environmental protection, management and commitment SDGs

40

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

133


CYCLE III: GENERIC STATISTICAL BUSINESS PROCESS MODEL (GSBPM) APPLIED TO ENVIRONMENT

STATISTICS

160

MODULE 16. GENERIC STATISTICAL BUSINESS PROCESS MODEL (GSBPM)

16.1 Model presentation

16.1.1 Background

16.1.2 Model structure and use

16.2 Application of the GSBPM to environment statistics

16.3 The Generic Statistic Information Model (GSIM)

8

MODULE 17. PHASES OF THE GSBPM AND SUBPROCESSES APPLIED TO ENVIRONMENT

STATISTICS

17.1 Phase I. Specify needs

17.1.1 Identify needs

17.1.2 Consult & confirm needs

- Elaboration of an instrument for the identification of information

needs related to environment statistics

17.1.3 Establish output objectives

17.1.4 Identify concepts

17.1.5 Check data availability

17.1.6 Prepare business case

- Business case elaboration for an environmental statistical project

17.2 Phase II. Design

17.2.1 Design outputs

17.2.2 Design variable descriptions

17.2.3 Collection design

17.2.4 Design frame & sample

17.2.5 Design processing & analysis

17.2.6 Design production systems & workflow

17.3 Phase III. Build

17.3.1 Build collection instrument

17.3.2 Build or enhance process components

17.3.3 Build or enhance dissemination components

17.3.4 Configure workflows

17.3.5 Test production system

17.3.6 Test statistical business process

17.3.7 Finalise production system

17.4 Phase IV. Collect

17.4.1 Create frame & select sample

17.4.2 Set up collection

17.4.3 Run collection

17.4.4 Finalise collection

128

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

134


MODULE 17. PHASES OF THE GSBPM AND SUBPROCESSES APPLIED TO ENVIRONMENT

STATISTICS (continuation)

17.5 Phase V. Process

17.5.1 Integrate data

17.5.2 Classify & code

17.5.3 Review & validate

17.5.4 Edit & impute

17.5.5 Derive new variables & units

17.5.6 Calculate weights

17.5.7 Calculate aggregates

17.5.8 Finalise data files

17.6 Phase VI. Analyse

17.6.1 Prepare draft outputs

17.6.2 Validate outputs

17.6.3 Interpret & explain outputs

17.6.4 Apply disclosure control

17.6.5 Finalise outputs

17.7 Phase VII. Disseminate

17.7.1 Update output systems

17.7.2 Produce dissemination products

17.7.3 Manage release of dissemination products

17.7.4 Promote dissemination products

17.7.5 Manage user support

17.8 Phase VIII. Evaluate

17.8.1 Gather evaluation inputs

17.8.2 Conduct evaluation

17.8.3 Agree to an action plan

MODULE 18. OVER-ARCHING PROCESSES OF THE GSBPM

18.1 General over-arching processes

18.1.1 Legislation management

18.1.2 Organizational management

18.1.3 Human resources management

18.1.4 Finance management

18.1.5 Project management

18.1.6 Strategic planning

18.2 Over-arching processes related to statistical business processes

18.2.1 Quality management

18.2.2 Metadata management

18.2.3 Data management

18.2.4 Process data management

18.2.5 Knowledge management

18.2.6 Statistical framework management

18.2.7 Statistical program management

18.2.8 Supplier management

18.2.9 Client management

18.2.10 Geospatial data management

24

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

135


CYCLE IV. IMPROVEMENT IN THE PRODUCTION OF ENVIRONMENT STATISTICS 840

MODULE 19. DATA FROM REMOTE SENSORS AND SATELLITE IMAGES

19.1 Remote sensing technique principles

19.2 Sensor types

19.2.1 Active and passive sensors

19.2.2 High, medium and low-resolution sensors

19.2.3 Orbits and platforms

19.3 Techniques and methods for classification of data generated by remote sensors

19.4 Types of image processing software

19.5 Statistical applications of remote sensing: examples (land use, forest

inventories/vegetation types, urban spaces and infrastructures)

19.6 Data Integration on Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

40

MODULE 20. USE OF ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES

20.1 Types of administrative records

20.2 Advantages and disadvantages of administrative record statistical use

20.3 Conversion of an administrative record into a statistical record

20.4 Record unit definition

20.5 Coherence, accuracy and updating periodicity

40

MODULE 21. INTRODUCTION TO BIG DATA AND ITS TOOLS

21.1 Data wrangling

21.2 Data management, exploration and analysis

21.3 Predictions

21.4 Results viewing

40

MODULE 22. STATISTICAL OPERATIONS DESIGN

22.1 Thematic/methodological design 22.2 Statistical design 22.3 Executive design 22.4 Systems design 22.5 Quality control methods design 22.6 Test design 22.7 Analysis design 22.8 Dissemination design 22.9 Evaluation design 22.10 Documentation

40

MODULE 23. STATISTICAL CLASSIFIERS

23.1 Background to the international classifiers construction

23.2 Description

23.3 Classifiers structure

23.4 Classifiers use and implementation

23.5 Adaption of international classifiers to local conditions. Description.

40

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

136


CYCLE IV. IMPROVEMENT IN THE PRODUCTION OF ENVIRONMENT STATISTICS 840

MODULE 24. SURVEY DESIGN METHODOLOGIES

24.1 Needs detection 24.2 Methodological design: creation of a data collection instrument 24.3 Test or pre-test questionnaire. Modification, validation and elaboration of the final

questionnaire. 24.4 Sampling design 24.5 Planning of the field strategy 24.6 Staff training (interviewers and supervisors) 24.7 Data collection and recording processes 24.8 Data recording and tabulation 24.9 Data processing 24.10 Data analysis 24.11 Conclusions, corrections and Survey Report

40

MODULE 25. QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN

25.1 Questionnaire as a tool of data collection 25.2 Types of questionnaires 25.3 Types of questions. Types of answers 25.4 Formulation of questions 25.5 Common mistakes in question formulation 25.6 Structural organization of questionnaire 25.7 Planning the questionnaire content 25.8 Questionnaire quality control. Evaluation

40

MODULE 26. SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

26.1 Determination of the statistical universe

26.2 Formulation of the sampling frame

26.3 Sample statistical proportionality. Sample size

26.4 Representative sample. Methods of sample selection

26.5 Update of sampling frame for statistical purposes

40

MODULE 27. OPERATIONAL MANUALS DESIGNING

27.1 Relevance and usefulness of an operational manual 27.2 Characteristics and requirements of an operational manual 27.3 Types of operational manuals 27.4 Design conditioning factors of an operational manual 27.5 Diagram of the process for operational manual elaboration 27.6 Macro-activities description for operational manual elaboration

40

MODULE 28. UPDATE OF DIRECTORIES FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES

28.1 Basic concepts and definitions 28.2 Functions of companies’ statistical registers 28.3 Directory units and coverage 28.4 Directory variables and sources 28.5 Directory management 28.6 Data confidentiality and security 28.7 Directory dissemination and use 28.8 Quality management

40

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

137


MODULE 29. STATISTICAL DATA PROCESSING

29.1 Data processing conditioning factors 29.2 Data processing design 29.3 Data processing execution

40

MODULE 30. STATISTICAL DATA VALIDATION

30.1 Relevance of statistical data validation 30.2 Validation methods 30.3 Validation system development

30.3.1 Errors identification 30.3.2 Standard solutions implementation to identify standard errors 30.3.3 Report generation on identified errors and improvements in individual data

validation 30.3.4 Auxiliary data files collection for analysing and controlling 30.3.5 File recovery

40

MODULE 31. STATISTICAL DATA IMPUTATION

31.1 What is imputation? What are missing data? 31.2 Imputation objectives 31.3 Missing data behaviour patterns 31.4 Missing data distribution 31.5 Data imputation process. Simple and multiple imputation 31.6 Data imputation in complex surveys

40

MODULE 32. SPECIALIZED SOFTWARE USE

32.1 What is statistics software? 32.2 Statistics software types. Open and under license software 32.3 Basic functions of specialized statistics programs 32.4 SPPS 32.5 SAS 32.6 STATA 32.7 R 32.8 Other programs

40

MODULE 33. STATISTICAL DATA ANALYSIS

33.1 Data analysis and interpretation 33.2 Data analysis objectives 33.3 Analysis of previous activities 33.4 Types of variables and analytical methods 33.5 Descriptive analysis 33.6 Hypothesis evaluation 33.7 Statistical power. Sampling size 33.8 Biases 33.9 Meta-analysis

40

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

138


MODULE 34. TIME SERIES ANALYSIS

34.1 Introduction to time series 34.2 Descriptive analysis of a time series 34.3 Time series and stochastic processes 34.4 Stationary and non-stationary processes 34.5 Univariate models 34.6 Multivariate models

40

MODULE 35. STATISTICAL INFORMATION DISSEMINATION

35.1 How to present statistical information to the public

35.2 User oriented statistical dissemination

35.3 Media relations

35.4 Statistical information dissemination

35.5 Open data standards

40

MODULE 36. STATISTICAL OPERATIONS EVALUATION 36.1 Procedures 36.2 Tools

40

MODULE 37. STATISTICAL PROCESS QUALITY MANAGEMENT

37.1 Normative frames for statistical information quality

37.2 Quality management systems

37.3 Integral scheme to quality assurance

37.4 Quality of Statistical products

37.5 Quality of Statistical processes

37.6 Quality of Institutional environment

40

MODULE 38. METADATA MANAGEMENT 38.1 Common Metadata Framework (CMF)

38.2 Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX)

40

MODULE 39. GEOSPATIAL DATA MANAGEMENT

39.1 Elements of cartography. Cartography for statistical and thematic purposes

39.2 Geodesy theoretical elements

39.3 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) introduction

39.4 MxSIG

39.5 Design and components of a Geospatial Data Infrastructure (GDI)

40

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

139


CYCLE V. DERIVED STATISTICS: ENVIRONMENT INDICATORS AND ACCOUNTS

80

MODULE 40. ENVIRONMENT INDICATORS 40.1 What is an indicator?

40.2 Relevance and utility of indicators

40.2.1 Development and use of indicators for evidence-based decision making

40.2.2 Monitoring and evaluation of public policies using statistics and indicators

40.3 Indicator characteristics

40.4 Indicator types

40.5 Indicator classification

40.6 Indicator limitations

40.7 Indicator construction

40.7.1 Needs identification

40.7.2 Target population determination

40.7.3 Variables identification

40.7.4 Information use and users’ identification

40.7.5 Use of different data sources in the construction of indicators

40.7.6 Indicator formulation

40.7.7 Methodological sheets/Technical data sheets development

40.7.8 Definition of responsibilities and calculation frequency

40.7.9 Case study: environment indicators construction

40

MODULE 41. ENVIRONMENT ACCOUNTING 41.1 Introduction to the United Nations System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

(SEEA)

41.2 Accounting structure

41.3 Flow accounts in physical units

41.4 Environmental activities and associated transactions accounts

41.5 Assets accounts

41.6 Accounts integration and presentation

41.7 Case study: environmental accounts elaboration

40

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

141

References

Alfsen K., J.L. Hass, H. Tao and W. You (2006). International experiences with "green GDP",

Statistics Norway. Available from:

http://www.ssb.no/a/publikasjoner/pdf/rapp_200632/rapp_200632.pdf

Armijo, Marianela (2009). Planificación estratégica e indicadores de desempeño en el sector

público. Serie Manuales, 69. Santiago de Chile: Latin American and Caribbean Institute for

Economic and Social Planning / ECLAC. Available from:

http://www.cepal.org/ilpes/publicaciones/xml/8/44008/SM_69_MA.pdf

CCE (2008). “Comunicación de la Comisión al Consejo, al Parlamento Europeo, al Comité

Económico y Social Europeo y al Comité de las Regiones: Hacia un Sistema Compartido de

Información Medioambiental (SEIS)”, COM (2008) 46 final, CCE, Bruselas. Available from:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52008DC0046&from=EN

Cepeda Dovala, J. M. (2013). “Teaching strategies for competences learning”. COLOFON,

Mexico.

DANE (2003). Metodología de la Cuenta Satélite de Medio Ambiente. DANE, Colombia.

Available from:

https://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/pib/ambientales/Met_Cuenta_Satelite_M

edio_Ambiente.pdf

DANE (2008). “Ficha Metodológica”, Compendio de Estadísticas Asociadas al Desarrollo

Sostenible – CEADS-, National Administrative Department of Statistic (DANE), Colombia.

Available from:

https://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/pib/ambientales/ceads/ficha_metodologi

ca_CEADS_ver.pdf

De Miguel C., H. Soto y G. Núñez (2014), “Contexto latinoamericano de las estadísticas sobre las

fuentes de contaminación y explotación de recursos. El gasto en protección ambiental del

sector público y privado”, en Alfonso Mercado y Carlos Roberto López (editores), La

estadística Ambiental en México, El Colegio de México / ECLAC, México, D.F., Capítulo I,

pp. 45-75.

DENU (2013). Framework for the Development of Environment Statistics (FDES) 2013, UN, New

York. Available from:

http://www.unstats.un.org/unsd/statcom/doc13/BG-FDES-Environment.pdf

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

http://www.ssb.no/a/publikasjoner/pdf/rapp_200632/rapp_200632.pdf

http://www.cepal.org/ilpes/publicaciones/xml/8/44008/SM_69_MA.pdf

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52008DC0046&from=EN

https://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/pib/ambientales/Met_Cuenta_Satelite_Medio_Ambiente.pdf

https://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/pib/ambientales/Met_Cuenta_Satelite_Medio_Ambiente.pdf

https://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/pib/ambientales/ceads/ficha_metodologica_CEADS_ver.pdf

https://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/pib/ambientales/ceads/ficha_metodologica_CEADS_ver.pdf

http://www.unstats.un.org/unsd/statcom/doc13/BG-FDES-Environment.pdf

142

EC-OECD-UN-WB (2013). System of Environmental-Economic Accounting 2012: Experimental

Ecosystem Accounting. Available from:

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/envaccounting/eea_white_cover.pdf

Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, ECLAC (2004). Manual de

organización estadística, tercera edición: El funcionamiento y organización de una oficina

de estadística. LC/W Electronic Document 6. August the 9th, 2004. Available from:

http://www.cepal.org/publicaciones/xml/7/15497/lcw6e.pdf

Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, ECLAC (2009). Estado de situación

de las estadísticas ambientales en América Latina y el Caribe al 2008: avances, desafíos y

perspectivas, Serie Estudios Estadísticos y Prospectivos 67. Santiago de Chile: ECLAC.

Available

from:http://repositorio.cepal.org/bitstream/handle/11362/4771/S0900041_es.pdf?seque

nce=1

Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, ECLAC (2012). “Report from the

Working Group on Environmental Statistics”, Eleventh meeting of the Executive

Committee of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of the Economic Commission for

Latin America and the Caribbean, LC/L.3496 (CE. 11/9) Available from:

http://www.cepal.org/deype/publicaciones/xml/8/47208/LCL3496i.pdf

Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, ECLAC (2013). Una propuesta

regional de Estrategia de implementación del Sistema de Cuentas Ambientales

Económicas (SCAE) 2012 en América Latina. Serie Estudios Estadísticos 86. Santiago de

Chile. Available from:

http://repositorio.cepal.org/bitstream/handle/11362/35909/LCL3786_es.pdf?sequence=1

Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, ECLAC, National Institute of

Statistic and Geography of Mexico, (2013). Coordinación de las actividades estadísticas

internacionales en el área de medio ambiente en América Latina y el Caribe (Project

document) Santiago de Chile: ECLAC / INEGI. Available from:

http://repositorio.cepal.org/bitstream/handle/11362/4064/S2012381_es.pdf?sequence=1

Friend, A. M. y D. Rapport (1991). “Evolution of macro-information systems for sustainable

development”. Ecological Economics 3: 59-76.

INEGI (2014). ¿Qué es SDMX? Sitio Web. INEGI. Available from:

http://www.inegi.org.mx/inegi/contenidos/servicios/sdmx/

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/envaccounting/eea_white_cover.pdf

http://www.cepal.org/publicaciones/xml/7/15497/lcw6e.pdf



http://www.cepal.org/deype/publicaciones/xml/8/47208/LCL3496i.pdf

http://repositorio.cepal.org/bitstream/handle/11362/35909/LCL3786_es.pdf?sequence=1


http://www.inegi.org.mx/inegi/contenidos/servicios/sdmx/

143

Kirkpatrick. D. y J. Kirkpatrick (2000). “Training programs evaluation. The four levels”. Training

and Development collection. Gestión Edition. Third edition revised and updated,

Barcelona, 2007.

Martínez, A. (2000). “La información del Sistema de Cuentas Económicas y Ecológicas en

México: algunos usos y desafíos en la elaboración de estadísticas”. Papeles de Población, 6

(abril-junio). Available from: http://www.redalyc.org/pdf/112/11202405.pdf

Martinez, E. y F. Martínez A. (2009). “Competences training. Principles and methods”. Available

from: http://www.sence.cl/601/articles-5675_archivo_01.pdf

Mercado, A. y C.R. López Pérez (2014). “Introducción general” en Mercado A. y C.R. López Pérez

(eds.) La Estadística Ambiental en México, El Colegio de México.

National Statistic Office of the Dominican Republic (2013). Plan Estadístico Sectorial: Medio

Ambiente 2013-2016. Documento Preliminar. Santo Domingo, República Dominicana:

ONE. Available from: http://www.one.gob.do/Multimedia/Download?ObjId=6178

ONU (1987). “Informe de la Comisión Mundial sobre el Medio Ambiente y el Desarrollo” Nota

del Secretario General, A/42/427. Available from :

http://www.un.org/es/comun/docs/?symbol=A/42/427

ONU (1992). Declaración de Río sobre el Medio Ambiente y el Desarrollo. ONU, Available from:

http://www.un.org/spanish/esa/sustdev/agenda21/riodeclaration.htm

PARIS 21 (2004). Estrategia Nacional para el Desarrollo Estadístico (ENDE). Available from:

http://estadisticas.comunidadandina.org/eportal/contenidos/imagenes/file/pendes/docs

/ENDE_paris21.pdf

Quiroga, R. (2005). “Estadísticas del medio ambiente en América Latina y el Caribe: avances y

perspectivas”, Serie Manuales 43. ECLAC, Santiago de Chile. Available from:

www.cepal.org/publicaciones/xml/3/22873/lcl2348e.pdf

Rio+20 (2011). The History of Sustainable Development in the United Nations, web site available

from: http://www.uncsd2012.org/history.html

SEIS (2014). Shared Environmental Information System, web site available from:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/seis/

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

http://www.redalyc.org/pdf/112/11202405.pdf

http://www.sence.cl/601/articles-5675_archivo_01.pdf

http://www.one.gob.do/Multimedia/Download?ObjId=6178

http://www.un.org/es/comun/docs/?symbol=A/42/427

http://www.un.org/spanish/esa/sustdev/agenda21/riodeclaration.htm

http://estadisticas.comunidadandina.org/eportal/contenidos/imagenes/file/pendes/docs/ENDE_paris21.pdf

http://estadisticas.comunidadandina.org/eportal/contenidos/imagenes/file/pendes/docs/ENDE_paris21.pdf

http://www.cepal.org/publicaciones/xml/3/22873/lcl2348e.pdf

http://www.uncsd2012.org/history.html

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/seis/

144

Statistics Canada (2006). “Concepts, sources and methods of the Canadian System of

Environmental and Resource Accounts”, Catalogue no. 16-505-GIE. Available from:

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/16-505-g/16-505-g1997001-eng.pdf

Statistics Canada (2014). Environmental and resource accounts. Available from

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/nea-cen/about-apropos/env-eng.htm

Statistics Norway (2012). This is Statistics Norway – an institution that counts, Statistics Norway.

Available from:

http://www.ssb.no/en/omssb/om-oss/kort-om-ssb/attachment/116316?ts=13ef53 ba940

Stauvermann P. y A. van der Veen (unknown year). National accounting matrix including

environmental accounts (NAMEA)”. Available from

http://www.ivm.vu.nl/en/Images/AT4_tcm53-161575.pdf

Stockings, P. (2012). “Buenas prácticas en el monitoreo y reporte de los Objetivos de Desarrollo

del Milenio: lecciones nacionales desde América Latina”. Estudios Estadísticos y

Perspectivas, No. 80.

Taboulchanas, K. y F. Fernández (2009). “Estado de la situación de las estadísticas ambientales

en América Latina y el Caribe en 2008: avances, desafíos y perspectivas”, Serie Estudios

Estadísticos y Prospectivos, 67. ECLAC, Santiago de Chile. Available from

http://css.escwa.org.lb/sd/esiap/P-5-EA-ALEC.pdf

Taboulchanas, K. (2013). Coordinación de las actividades estadísticas internacionales en el área

de medio ambiente en América Latina y el Caribe. LC/W.520. CEPAL, Chile. Available from

http://www.cepal.org/es/publicaciones/coordinacion-de-las-actividades-estadisticas-

internacionales-en-el-area-de-medio

TEEB (2010). The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Mainstreaming the Economics of

Nature: A synthesis of the approach, conclusions and recommendations of TEEB.

United Nations (1975). “Statistical Commission: report on the eighteenth session” Economic and

Social Council, United Nations, New York. Available from:

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/statcom/reports.htm

United Nations (2007). Indicators of Sustainable Development: Guidelines and Methodologies,

Third Edition. Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations, New York.

United Nations (2012). “Report of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development”,

United Nations, Rio de Janeiro. Available from:

http://research.un.org/en/docs/environment/conferences

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/16-505-g/16-505-g1997001-eng.pdf

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/nea-cen/about-apropos/env-eng.htm

http://www.ssb.no/en/omssb/om-oss/kort-om-ssb/attachment/116316?ts=13ef53%20ba940

http://www.ivm.vu.nl/en/Images/AT4_tcm53-161575.pdf

http://css.escwa.org.lb/sd/esiap/P-5-EA-ALEC.pdf

http://www.cepal.org/es/publicaciones/coordinacion-de-las-actividades-estadisticas-internacionales-en-el-area-de-medio

http://www.cepal.org/es/publicaciones/coordinacion-de-las-actividades-estadisticas-internacionales-en-el-area-de-medio

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/statcom/reports.htm

http://research.un.org/en/docs/environment/conferences

145

United Nations (2013). “Sistema de Contabilidad Ambiental y Económica para el Agua”, Asuntos

Económicos y Sociales, ST/ESA/STAT/SER.F/100. Available from:

http://www.cepal.org/deype/publicaciones/externas/3/49453/SCAE-Agua-ES-SER-F-

100_opt.pdf

United Nations (2014). “Major work areas and accomplishments”, Department of Economics

and Social Affairs. Available from:

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/statcom/brochures/UNSD_Brochure.pdf

UN-EC-IMF-FAO-OECD-WB (2012). Sistema de Contabilidad Ambiental y Económica (SACE)

2012: Marco Central. Available from:

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/envaccounting/seearev/CF_trans/S_march2014.pdf

UNEP/GRID-Arendal (2009). Best Practices in Environmental Information Management in Africa:

The Uganda Case Study. UNEP/GRID-Arendal. Available from:

http://www.unep.org/pdf/UgandaCaseStudy.pdf

United Nations, European Commission, International Monetary Fund, Organisation for

Economic Co-operation and Development, World Bank (2005). “Handbook of National

Accounting: Integrated Environmental and Economic Accounting 2003”, Studies in

Methods, Series F, No.61, Rev.1, Glossary, United Nations, New York. Available from:

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/EconStatKB/Attachment60.aspx

World Bank (2012). Políticas Ambientales Prioritarias y Potenciales Contribuciones de WAVES:

Fase II Costa Rica, Borrador para Consulta. World Bank.

World Bank (2014). Wealth Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services (WAVES): Costa

Rica Country Report 2014. World Bank. Available from:

http://www.wavespartnership.org/sites/waves/files/documents/WAVES%20Policy%20No

te%20Costa%20Rica.pdf

A re

gion

al fr

amew

ork

for t

he s

treng

then

ing

of o

ffici

al e

nviro

nmen

t sta

tistic

s. 2

018

http://www.cepal.org/deype/publicaciones/externas/3/49453/SCAE-Agua-ES-SER-F-100_opt.pdf

http://www.cepal.org/deype/publicaciones/externas/3/49453/SCAE-Agua-ES-SER-F-100_opt.pdf

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/statcom/brochures/UNSD_Brochure.pdf

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/envaccounting/seearev/CF_trans/S_march2014.pdf

http://www.unep.org/pdf/UgandaCaseStudy.pdf

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/EconStatKB/Attachment60.aspx

http://www.wavespartnership.org/sites/waves/files/documents/WAVES%20Policy%20Note%20Costa%20Rica.pdf

http://www.wavespartnership.org/sites/waves/files/documents/WAVES%20Policy%20Note%20Costa%20Rica.pdf

Development and Stre

Documents

Transcript of Development and Stre