Statistics Iceland

Economy Statistics / Environment and energy

Borgartún 21A

105 Reykjavík

Iceland

Economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) provide an aggregate overview, in thousand tonnes per year, of the material flows into and out of an economy. EW-MFA cover solid, gaseous, and liquid materials, except for bulk flows of water and air. Like the system of national accounts, EW-MFA constitute a multi-purpose information system. The detailed material flows provide a rich empirical database for numerous analytical purposes. Further, EW-MFA are used to derive various material flow indicators.

The National Statistical Institute (NSI) sent to Eurostat on yearly basis the EW-MFA. The accounts comprise the following reporting tables:

• Table A 'Domestic extraction (DE)': records material flows from the environment into the economy in a detailed breakdown by type of material
• Table B 'Imports - total imports (intra- and extra-EU) and Table D 'Exports – total exports (intra- and extra-EU)': These physical trade tables record the imports and exports of products in thousand tonnes and grouped by materials.
• Table F 'Domestic processed output (DPO)': records material flows from the economy to the domestic environment (e.g. emissions to air, water and soil)
• Table G 'Balancing items': reports some memorandum items which are necessary to have the full material balance related to a national economy
• Table H 'Indicators': presents the EW-MFA derived indicators which are automatically calculated from Table A to G
• Table I 'Material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (RME)': records material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (MFA-RME). Some items are calculated automatically based on data reported in Table A and Table I

EW-MFA record physical flows of materials broken down by type of flow and by type of material.

The type of flow dimension corresponds to the EW-MFA questionnaire reporting tables and derived indicators, namely:

• domestic extraction (Table A)
• physical imports (Table B)
• physical exports (Table D)
• domestic processed output (Table F)
• balancing items (Table G)
• direct material input (indicator)
• domestic material consumption (indicator)
• physical trade balance (indicator)

The breakdown by type of material employs a classification of materials. This EW-MFA classification of materials is hierarchical with main material flow categories (1-digit level). Each main category is further broken down, maximal down to 4-digit-level:

    1-digit: material category;

    2-digit: material class;

    3-digit: material group;

    4-digit: material sub-group.

The data refer to national economies as defined in the system of national accounts.

Conceptually economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) belong to the international system of environmental economic accounting (SEEA-Central Framework). Furthermore, EW-MFA is one of several physical modules of Eurostat's programme on European environmental economic accounts. It is covered by Regulation (EU) No. 691/2011 on European environmental economic accounts.

EW-MFA are closely related to concepts and definitions of national accounts. Most notably they follow the residence principle, i.e. they record material flows related to resident unit's activities, regardless where those occur geographically.

Further methodological guidelines are provided in various publications by Eurostat (see Eurostat website > Environment > Methodology, heading: 'Material flows and resource productivity').

For more detailed information please see also 3.1.

Statistical units change according to the different data sources (e.g. agriculture, forestry and fishery statistics, production statistics, geological surveys, energy statistics, foreign trade statistics etc.) which EW-MFA are based on.

EW-MFA refer to the entire national economy of the reporting country (see also 3.3 'Coverage - sector')).

EW-MFA include all materials (excluding water and air) crossing the system boundary (between the environment and the economy) on the input side or on the output side. The economy is demarcated by the conventions of the national accounting system (resident units).

Material inputs to the economy cover extractions of natural resources (excluding water and air) from the natural environment and imports of material products (goods) from the rest of the world economy (ROW).

Material outputs are disposals of materials to the natural environment and exports of material products and waste to the ROW. Information on natural resources extracted and traded products is provided by different statistical units.

Iceland and all activities of individuals and companies registered with domicile in Iceland

Please see the table in 3.8.1.

Not applicable because EW-MFA is not reported as indices.

The unit of measure is thousand tonnes.

The data refer to the calendar years.

Economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) are legally covered by Regulation (EU) 691/2011 on European Environmental Economic Accounts.

Not applicable in national level this information is required at European level only.

EW-MFA is compiled using various registry data sources that are subject to confidentiality policies within Statistics Iceland. Unprocessed data from these sources is not shared with a third party. Similarly, Statistics Iceland will not "reshare" data it obtains from any sources without a ruling from the courts to that effect. Data processing is subject to testing to see if the results can be traced to a single individual or entity. This method is strictly followed when processing custom statistics, which can be requested from Statistics Iceland. 

However, Statistics Iceland considers the matter of environmental issues a special case where clauses on confidentiality are not as strictly followed since the issue affects the entire population. Therefore Statistics Iceland will submit and publish data even when it can be inferred that emissions or material flow can be attributed to a single industrial entity, even though the entity is not directly identified.

Statistics Iceland considers the matter of environmental issues a special case where clauses on confidentiality are not as strictly followed since the issue affects the entire population. Therefore, no data is flagged as confidential 'c)' in the data submitted to Eurostat.

The EW-MFA is compiled in March-April and should be ready for submission to Eurostat at that time. The dataset is published to the external data repository of Statistics Iceland (https://statice.is/statistics/environment/material-flow/material-flow-accounts/) the following week. The account is revised in July-August after all domestic extraction data for the previous year is available. An updated dataset is submited to Eurostat if there are significant changes in values. The data is re-published after it has been validated by Eurostat (approximately 3 months later).

Not applicable

Key data from the Eurostat dataset is available via px-web services

Datasets include: 

• Key indicators from the EW-MFA
• Import, export, and domestic extraction from the EW-MFA
• The domestic processed output from the EW-MFA
• Material flow by the state of manufacturing (annex dataset from the EW-MFA processing)
• The flow of food in and out of the economy (annex dataset from the EW-MFA processing)

See item 8.1

News of updates, changes, or other changes to the data is published in Icelandic and English at the Statistics Iceland website. 

Notifications are also sent to subscribers to the data stream.

A statistics explained type document (in Icelandic) explaining the data and information content of the EW-MFA was published in June 2020

https://hagstofa.is/utgafur/utgafa/umhverfi/upplysingar-i-efnisflaedireikningum/

Key data from the Eurostat dataset is available via px-web services (https://px.hagstofa.is/pxen/pxweb/en/Umhverfi/)

Datasets include: 

• Key indicators from the EW-MFA
• Import, export, and domestic extraction from the EW-MFA
• The domestic processed output from the EW-MFA
• Material flow by the state of manufacturing (annex dataset from the EW-MFA processing)
• The flow of food in and out of the economy (annex dataset from the EW-MFA processing)

Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.

Access to microdata is provided for qualified research purposes, see https://statice.is/services/data-for-scientific-research/.

Tailored statistics from the underlying data and processing data is available upon request, see https://statice.is/services/tailored-statistics/

None so far.

The data will be re-published in an environmental indicator dashboard format

Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.

Metadata in Icelandic is available.

Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.

Quality assessment is done during compilation.

To ensure the quality of EW-MFA data the following points are tested for consistency:

• completeness of data (each required field should have a zero or positive value)
• year-to-year consistency within a material flow (excessive fluctuations are flagged for further inspection)
• submission consistency. Updates to the compilation code may affect values backward in time.
  • If the compilation does not change the total mass of material flow, but only affects the distribution of material, the mass balance between submissions is checked
  • If the compilation adds mass to the material flow (viz. new data source found), the cell totals affected are checked
• environmental module consistency: 
  • AEA consistency. The processing of the AEA module uses many of the same projections and data sources as the MFA. The MFA can therefore be compared with the AEA. Differences are checked
  • PEFA consistency. The processing of the MFA uses many of the same sources as the PEFA processing. The MFA can therefore be compared with the internal process of the PEFA. Differences in similar material classes are checked
  • WATER consistency. The processing of the MFA uses some of the same data sources as the WATER module (in development). The MFA can therefore be compared with the internal process of the WATER compilation datastream. Differences in similar material classes are checked.
• Financial account consistency
  • Import/export statistics. Value and the total weight of imports and exports should be the same as in the MFA module
  • Fisheries statistics. Values of catch and landings (from dock reports) should be the same in the MFA module

The compilation report (automatic report generated by the compilation data stream) is reviewed by two subject experts (panel). The compilation report highlights computation method, data sourcing, and data source completeness. 

The assessment report is also reviewed by the same experts, which suggest improvement in the processing datastream (software). 

Updates are implemented annually.

The quality of the statistics is substantially improved for years post-2005. This year marks the general electronic record-keeping of the toll authority and tighter mass recording of import and export. 

Record keeping for business statistics is often limited to 1995 (ISAT95). Data prior to this year can not be validated with the same source as post-1995. 

Statistics Iceland published the EW-MFA for the first time in 2019. This means little is know about the user needs for the module.

Statistics Iceland holds regular webinars where the information content and analysis is demonstrated. These presentations are held for parties that may have use for the data, such as

• Economic and environmental ministries
• Environmental organizations

Not known

Data are complete for mandatory tables of EW-MFA questionnaire. Data for all Member States and EU aggregates are available starting from the year 2000. In case of missing data, Eurostat gap-fills the missing information.

In addition, supplementary datasets are produced from in-process data tables from the EW-MFA processing. These data tables are:

Material flow by the state of manufacture (https://px.hagstofa.is/pxen/pxweb/en/Umhverfi/Umhverfi__3_efnisflaedi__3_efnisflaedireikningar/UMH34090.px): Here the state of manufacture (Final state, semi-final state, and raw material) are exposed for each material category in the data flow. The EW-MFA only shows the total mass by the state of manufacture in the import and export flow. This analysis is thought of as a building-set for a Sankey-type analysis of how material refinement and waste generation occur through the economy. This is an in-depth analysis of resource productivity.

The flow of food material through the economy (https://px.hagstofa.is/pxen/pxweb/en/Umhverfi/Umhverfi__3_efnisflaedi__3_efnisflaedireikningar/UMH34095.px): Here the mass of food produced within the economy (not a part of the EW-MFA) is included with the import and export quantities of food are summarized by material category and state of manufacture. This dataset is meant to answer questions, such as:

• How much food is available for consumption in Iceland? (material consumption question)
• How much of the food available is domestically produced? (sustainability question)
• How much food is exported from Iceland? (material production question)

Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.

Please use Annex 3 for providing an assessment of the overall quality of the reported data. 

Not applicable because data are not based on a sample survey.

Not applicable because data are not based on a sample survey.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Eurostat collects economy-wide material flow accounts data from national statistical institutes (NSI) via an annual questionnaire (see 6.1 for legal base). The reporting deadline for the questionnaire is 31 December of the year T (T = deadline and year into which the deadline falls). The most recent reference year for which Statistics Iceland must report the T-2 year. Statistics Iceland returns preliminary values for the T-1 year

Statistics Iceland publishes the material:

• T+1 month: Preliminary publication of the account
• T+4 months: Revised publication of the account, includes preliminary data for year T

Eurostat publishes data in two waves (see also 8.1):

• March (T+3 months): data as reported by NSI after validation by Eurostat.
• June (T+6 months):

- By June (T+6m), if not already reported by NSI, Eurostat estimates and publishes data for reference year N+1y (=T-1y) on the basis of national and international data sources;
- By June (T+6m), Eurostat estimates and publishes early estimates for reference year N+2y (=T) based on exogenous predictors (e.g. gross value added, volume indices of production etc.).

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Publication of the data is delayed only if primary sources are delayed, or if the reporting of the primary sources is significantly changed resulting in a revision of the data processing protocol.

Following are the dates of submission of the EW-MFA:

Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.

Data on EW-MFA are compiled according to harmonised guidelines provided by Eurostat and hence comparable across European countries reporting EW-MFA data to Eurostat.

The comparability for Iceland is excellent due to the physical isolation of the country. Thus, imports and exports are well monitored by trade statistics. Furthermore, the national registry for individuals and companies are of high quality.

Not applicable because physical imports and exports as recorded in EW-MFA are not specified by origin and/or destination.

Please see the table in 15.2.1.1.

Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.

Please use below table for explaining b)-flags (breaks in time series):

Eurostat performs cross-domain checking between EW-MFA data and data from other statistical domains by verifying whether data are in accordance with certain basic criteria that serve to assess the plausibility of the given data.

In the context of 2021 data cycle, the following domains have been used:

• PRODCOM (production statistics)
• COMEXT (international trade in goods statistics)
• ENERGY STATISTICS
• AIR EMISSIONS ACCOUNTS, inlcuding preliminary estimates for 2020 and 2021
• MINING AND ROAD CONSTRUCTIONS, database on material extraction (in development)

Not applicable; reported EW-MFA data are only annual.

The data are coherent with national accounts and environmental-economic accounts.

Will be completed later

Coding:

• Initial coding of the EW-MFA compilation structure: Approximately 2 months
• Code revision 2020: 5 person-days

Data processing/compilation:

• Data collection: Instantaneous
• Data review: 5 person-days
• Final form: 1 person-day

Each year the EW-MFA questionnaire requests the entire time series. The processing of the dataset, therefore, applies to all previous years, which means the data is reviewed and revised in its entirety.

Data is revised

• if new data sources are found that capture or improve the consistency of the data
• if revision occurs in the upstream data source, e.g. the NIR, AEA, or trade statistics dataset
• if substantial deficiencies are found in the compilation that affects the value of the total of the material category by 0,1%, or the value for the individual material group by more than 10%

Data is revised on annual basis

---

Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.

Data sources used to produce economy-wide material flow accounts are described in the sub-concepts 18.1.1 (and Annex) and 18.1.2.

Output files from compilation of the EW-MFA are in annexes of this item 18.1. The output file describes data collection and quality test for the data sources. 

The output files (HTML format) contain verion descriptions of the compilation and comments on development of the compilation stack.

The output file also contains rudimentary output quality evaluation that is used to verify and test the output compared to the most recent submission of the data (last year's).

Please use Annex 1 to report the detailed data sources for questionnaire tables A, B, D, F and G.

The 

RME calculations have yet to be implemented in the MFA compilation due to a lack of the necessary tables from National Accounts.

Data is collected monthly

The EW-MFA is compiled twice each year, first in march-april and then again in July-August.

Full data validation is done once per year in association with the final compilation of the dataset. 

Validation rules check for:

1. Comparison with last submission data
2. Fishing statistics is compared with operation outcome (National Accounts production site)
3. Values extracted from farming statistics database is compared with NA data

Code revisions are scheduled following the March-April collection.

Processing of the initial data is done via R-processing. The process returns near-complete excel data sheets with a structure similar to the final Eurostat documents.

Final completion and footnote checking is done by hand in the Eurostat-Excel sheet. This sheet is then fed into a database where cross-submission validation and checking is done..

Not applicable.

Please use Annex 2 to describe estimation approaches for specific items.

Only one item in the EW-MFA needs to be estimated completely:

Data for fuel purchased by fishing vessels and national water transport vessels are not available from 2004-2013. The missing values were estimated by calculating total mass of cargo carried by the transport fleet for these years. The fuel consumption per tonne cargo transported is known prior to 2004 and post-2013 with some accuracy. The fuel required to transport the weight from 2004-2013 was then calculated using a linearly varying fuel/cargo coefficient from 2004 to 2013.

Resident adjustment for road and water transport is done by the same method as is in the AEA processing

Not applicable

Resident adjustment for road transport, air transport and water transport is done by the same method as is used for AEA.

A few major deficiencies are known:

1. No dataset was found for emission into water
   1. A model for estimating this component is in development and will be included in submission 2023
2. Waste statistics is considered highly unreliable.
   1. An improvement is being developed with the Environmental Agency but was delayed in 2023
3. Calculation of RMI and RME could not be completed
   1. An attempt in using the Eurostat RME calculator was unsuccessful and the Eurpean dispersion matrix was found to be inadequate
   2. A Ph. D. project is ongoing in trying to find appropriate economic projection model to complete this calculation
4. No coherent dataset for earthen material flow is available.
   1. A method developed in collaboration with the Icelandic Energy Authority was found to be inconclusive
   2. A method is being developed in collaboration with the Icelandic Road Authority

Not applicable; i.e. in EW-MFA no time series adjustment necessary.

Not applicable.