Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
The environmental goods and services sector (EGSS) accounts report on an economic sector that generates goods and services produced for environmental protection or the management of natural resources.
Products for environmental protection prevent, reduce and eliminate pollution or any other degradation of the environment. Examples are electric vehicles, catalysts and filters to decrease pollutant emissions, wastewater and waste treatment services, noise insulation works or restoration of degraded habitats.
Products for resource management safeguard the stock of natural resources against depletion. Examples are renewable energy production, energy-efficient and passive buildings, seawater desalinization or rainwater recovery, and materials recovery.
EGSS accounts provide data on output and export of environmental goods and services and on the value added of and employment in the environmental goods and services sector.
EGSS data are compiled following the statistical concepts and definitions set out in the UN System of Environmental-Economic Accounting 2012 – Central Framework.
3.2. Classification system
Data are reported cross-classified by 1) the type of environmental protection or resource management activity and 2) economic activity. Environmental protection activities are classified by environmental domain as set out in the Classification of Environmental Protection Activities - CEPA. Resource management activities are classified as set out in the Classification of Resource Management Activities - CReMA. see the revised CEPA and CReMA explanatory notes for detail. Economic activity is classified according to the Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community, Rev. 2 (2008).
3.3. Coverage - sector
EGSS comprises a sector of the economy that produces goods and services aimed at environmental protection and resource management (see SEEA CF 2012 chapter 4). Environmental goods and services either reduce environmental pressures or help maintaining the stock of natural resources or they are designed to be cleaner and more resource efficient than conventional products. Environmental goods and services can be produced by corporations, households, governments and non-profit institutions. The list of environmental activities and products has been set out in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2174 ('the indicative compendium of environmental goods and services').
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
EGSS has the same system boundaries as the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010) and consists of all environmental products within this production boundary. ESA defines production as the activity carried out under the control and responsibility of an institutional unit that uses input of labour, capital, goods and services to produce output of goods and services.
Only goods and services produced for environmental purposes are included in the scope of the environmental goods and services sector.
'Environmental purpose' means that a good or service helps either 1) preventing, reducing and eliminating pollution and any other degradation of the environment or 2) preserving and maintaining the stock of natural resources and hence safeguarding against depletion.
The EGSS statistics aim at compiling data for the following economic variables:
Output: consists of products that become available for use outside of the producer unit, any goods and services produced for own final use and goods that remain in the inventories at the end of the period in which they are produced. Apart from market output, output for own final use and non-market output, EGSS statistics also include ancillary output, comprising output intended for use within an enterprise.
Market output is to be valued at basic prices, that is, the prices receivable by the producer from the purchaser minus taxes and plus subsidies on products. Output for own final use is to be valued at basic prices of similar products sold on the market or by the total costs of production. Non-market output is to be estimated by the total costs of production. Ancillary output is measured as a total of recurrent production costs (such as intermediate consumption, compensation of employees and consumption of fixed capital) incurred by enterprises to: 1) reduce environmental pressures arising from their production process or 2) produce environmental goods or services not intended for use outside the enterprise, but instead supporting other (non-environmental) activities undertaken within the enterprise (e.g. waste management services carried out in-house). For market producers, a mark-up for net operating surplus is added to the value of the EGSS ancillary output. Gross Value Added: represents the contribution made by the production of environmental goods and services to GDP. It is the difference between the value of the output and intermediate consumption.
Employment: is measured in full-time equivalent jobs engaged in the production of output of environmental goods and services. Full-time equivalent is defined as total hours worked divided by the average annual working hours in a full-time job.
Exports: consist of sales, barter, gifts, or grants, of environmental goods and services from residents to non-residents.
3.5. Statistical unit
Council Regulation (EEC) No 696/93 of 15 March 1993 on the statistical units for the observation and analysis of the production system in the Community describes the different statistical units of the production system.
The recommended statistical unit for the collection and compilation of EGSS statistics (excluding general government) is the establishment. For general government, the recommendation is to use institutional units and groupings of units as defined in the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010).
3.6. Statistical population
The statistical population is the national economy as defined in SEEA CF 2012 and the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010). It includes all economic activities undertaken by resident units.
3.7. Reference area
Switzerland
3.8. Coverage - Time
2000 to 2022
3.9. Base period
Not requested for this metadata collection.
Output, gross value added, and exports are measured in million units of national currency. Employment is measured in full time equivalents (i.e., full time equivalent jobs).
The reference period for EGSS data is the calendar year.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
EGSS accounts are compiled and reported in accordance with Regulation (EU) No. 691/2011 on European environmental economic accounts (EEEA).
The EEEA follow internationally agreed concepts and definitions set out in the SEEA Central Framework (2012), the international statistical standard adopted by the UN Statistical Commission. They present data in a way that is compatible with National Accounts (ESA, 2010).
From 2020 onwards, Switzerland delivers data to Eurostat based on the regulation that is now part of the Annex A of the bilateral statistical agreement between Switzerland and the European Union. Before that, Switzerland delivered data to Eurostat on a voluntary basis.
Environmental Goods and Services Sector (EGSS) data are published annually at the national level in mid-December.
8.2. Release calendar access
A national dissemination calendar is available in the section “agenda” of the website of the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO). The date of dissemination is generally communicated a few weeks before publication.
8.3. Release policy - user access
The data are publicly disseminated on the webpage “Environmental goods and services” of the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO) in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably. The users who are interested in these data may subscribe a news mail (available in French, German and Italian) for being informed about the dissemination of data and other publications in the area “Territory and environment”.
See 8.1
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
There is usually no specific press release for the annual dissemination of data on environmental goods and services.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Environmental goods and services sector statistics are mainly published in form of indicators on the webpage dedicated to “Environmental goods and services” of the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO). For each indicator, a graphical representation is available with the possibility to download the corresponding data.
Some environmental goods and services data are included in indicator systems relating to the environment or climate change (available in French and German), and in the MONET 2030 indicator system (available in French, German, Italian and English) which gives an overview of sustainable development in Switzerland. These three indicator systems are published by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Finally, some results of the environmental goods and services sector accounts have been published in the publication “Households and climate from the perspective of environmental accounts” (2022), that offers original insights on the links between households and climate based on the environmental accounts.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Interactive detailed data on environmental goods and services sector by economic activity are available on the following webpage of the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Moreover, two summary tables are available on the webpage dedicated to “Environmental goods and services” (see section “Tables” in the box named “Further information”). They present environmental goods and services sector data by environmental domain and by economic activity (aggregated by sections) for the longest time series available.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not requested for this metadata collection.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Not applicable.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Data on environmental goods and services sector are available on the website of the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO) in form of indicators, summary tables and interactive tables.
The webpages are available in German, French, Italian and English. However, please note that our English and Italian pages offer a limited range of information on our statistical production. For our full range, please consult our pages in French and German.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not requested for this metadata collection.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Environmental goods and services sector data are computed based on the Eurostat’s manual “Environmental goods and services sector accounts — Practical guide — 2016 edition”. A very short description of the methodology is available on the webpage of the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO) dedicated to “Environmental goods and services” (see section “Methodologies” in the box named “Further information”). It gives some basic specifications related to the considered definitions and the main principles to ensure national and international comparability. For the interested users, it also includes a link to Eurostat’s manual.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not requested for this metadata collection.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Not applicable.
11.1. Quality assurance
Automatic quality checks and controls are implemented as much as possible in the production process, in order to detect potential problems as early as possible. At the end, the outputs are compared with the results of the last data transmission. If important changes are observed from one year to the next, an explanation has to be found in order to validate the result. It implies to analyse in detail the variations in the data sources and to check the entire production process if necessary.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The data production is in a constant improvement process. The procedures are improved from one year to the next, by adding automatic controls and plausibility checks. Moreover, data providers are systematically asked to provide corrected data if there are any changes or revisions in the data that they have previously delivered.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Not applicable.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not applicable.
12.3. Completeness
By compiling the EGSS account according to the Practical Guide and refining the methods where data availability allows it. We consider that we cover correctly the EGSS operational list by proceeding this way, in particular for the EGSS activities which constitute the major blocks of this sector in Switzerland. However, this is more difficult to prove than with a dedicated survey.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not requested for this metadata collection.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
This statistic is based on the best available data. However, there are some known deficiencies and the applied methodology is in a permanent process of improvement.
13.2. Sampling error
EGSS accounts are compiled using a range of primary statistical sources. The sampling and non-sampling errors are described in the metadata of the underlying statistical data.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not requested for this metadata collection.
13.3. Non-sampling error
EGSS accounts are compiled using a range of primary statistical sources. The sampling and non-sampling errors are described in the metadata of the underlying statistical data.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Not requested for this metadata collection.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not requested for this metadata collection.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not requested for this metadata collection.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not requested for this metadata collection.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not requested for this metadata collection.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not requested for this metadata collection.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not requested for this metadata collection.
13.3.4. Processing error
Not requested for this metadata collection.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not requested for this metadata collection.
14.1. Timeliness
See 14.1.1. and 14.1.2.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
First estimates are available 10 months after the end of a reference year (n).
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Final results are available 22 months after the end of a reference year (n).
14.2. Punctuality
The data were delivered to Eurostat on 6 November. The reporting deadline for EGSS to Eurostat is 31 October.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
There were 6 days between the delivery date and the target date on which data were scheduled for delivery.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
We do not distinguish between the management of low-level radioactive waste – which is to be included under CEPA 3 - and the management of high-level radioactive waste – which is to be included under CEPA 7. Both are reported under CEPA 3.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
The data reported are internally coherent (totals are equal to the sum of the breakdowns). However rounding issues could result in some gaps between totals and the sum of its (published) components.
About 0.3 full-time equivalents of work are required to compile the EGSS accounts in Switzerland, to publish the results at the national level (in the form of indicators, summary tables and interactive tables) on the website of the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO) and to transmit the data and the quality report to Eurostat.
16.1. Cost and Burden - other accounts
17.1. Data revision - policy
Three types of revisions are defined: routine revisions, methodological revisions and non-scheduled revisions.
Routine revisions are carried out every year
Each year, the data for the years concerned are revised if the sources of the basic data have been revised. For example, the complete time series is actualized at each revision of the national accounts. Any errors found are also corrected.
Methodological revisions are divided into
• Benchmark revisions induced by new estimation methods or new data sources
• Conceptual revisions induced by new international recommendations
The pace of benchmark revisions should be defined this year. The pace of conceptual revisions depends on that of new international recommendations (e.g. new reporting guidelines on electric and more resource-efficient transport equipment and on energetic refurbishment and construction of new energy-efficient buildings).
In the case of such revisions, data for the complete time series are recalculated according to the new data or concepts and nomenclatures of the new system.
Non-scheduled revisions
An unplanned revision is carried out when, for example, it is not possible to wait until the next planned revision, e.g., as a result of an unforeseeable revision of a major data source that significantly affects the estimates.
17.2. Data revision - practice
See 17.1.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
See 17.1.
17.2.2. Status of data
The transmitted data can be considered as final. The only exception are the data provided for the last year that have to be considered provisional.
18.1. Source data
We use, for example, data from the NA, from the IOT and from the COFOG as well as SBS data on EPE to estimate the ancillary production of EP services.
We also use, for example, the most detailed available data from employment statistics, value added statistics, energy statistics, R&D expenditure statistics and education statistics.
We sometime use GVA/output or FTE/output ratios derived from NA data to calculate EGSS GVA or EGSS FTE from EGSS output.
Our colleague from the Economic Accounts for Agriculture (EAA) and Forestry (EAF) has estimated the production, gross value added and employment of organic farming (within NACE 01) and of sustainable forestry (within NACE 02) according to EGSS Handbook and to the indicative compendium.
18.1.1. Source data - detailed - environmental accounts
EGSS uses some other environmental accounts as data sources, in particular the Environmental protection expenditure accounts (EPEA).
18.1.2. Source data - detailed - other statistics
Data from the Economic Accounts for Agriculture (EAA) and Forestry (EAF) are used to estimate production, gross value added and employment of organic farming (within NACE 01) and of sustainable forestry (within NACE 02) as well as data from the NA, from the IOT, from the COFOG, from the SBS data on EPE to estimate the ancillary production of EP services and also the most detailed data from employment statistics, value added statistics, energy statistics, R&D expenditure statistics and education statistics.
18.1.3. Source data - survey
There is no dedicated survey.
18.1.4. Source data - detailed - other macro economic data (trade, VAT etc.)
None
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annually
18.3. Data collection
Not applicable.
18.4. Data validation
Controls and plausibility checks are implemented as often as possible in the various steps of the production process in order to detect possible problems as early as possible. The source data is mainly controlled by checking the changes from year to year and also by comparing it with other data sources when available. If some data seems suspicious, the data provider is contacted to get additional information and clarify.
The output data are mainly controlled by comparing the results with the results of the previous data transmission. The changes are analysed both in absolute and relative terms. Relatively important variations have to be clarified and explained by checking the entire production process and by analysing the source data in more detail.
18.5. Data compilation
According to the EGSS Practical Guide, using existing data sources and refined methods when possible.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not requested for this metadata collection.
18.5.2. Data compilation - by variable and type of output
We do not produce data by the type of environmental product. The break down into market and non-market is based on NA data. Data on ancillary output is based on SBS data on EPE.
18.5.3. Data compilation - by NACE
We report the breakdown by NACE based on the classification of the producer of EGSS goods and activities.
18.5.4. Data compilation – CReMA 13B memo item
Data for the CReMA 13B memo item is not computed for the moment.
18.6. Adjustment
According to the EGSS Practical Guide, using existing data sources and refined methods when possible.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not requested for this metadata collection.
No further comments.
The environmental goods and services sector (EGSS) accounts report on an economic sector that generates goods and services produced for environmental protection or the management of natural resources.
Products for environmental protection prevent, reduce and eliminate pollution or any other degradation of the environment. Examples are electric vehicles, catalysts and filters to decrease pollutant emissions, wastewater and waste treatment services, noise insulation works or restoration of degraded habitats.
Products for resource management safeguard the stock of natural resources against depletion. Examples are renewable energy production, energy-efficient and passive buildings, seawater desalinization or rainwater recovery, and materials recovery.
EGSS accounts provide data on output and export of environmental goods and services and on the value added of and employment in the environmental goods and services sector.
EGSS data are compiled following the statistical concepts and definitions set out in the UN System of Environmental-Economic Accounting 2012 – Central Framework.
31 October 2023
EGSS has the same system boundaries as the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010) and consists of all environmental products within this production boundary. ESA defines production as the activity carried out under the control and responsibility of an institutional unit that uses input of labour, capital, goods and services to produce output of goods and services.
Only goods and services produced for environmental purposes are included in the scope of the environmental goods and services sector.
'Environmental purpose' means that a good or service helps either 1) preventing, reducing and eliminating pollution and any other degradation of the environment or 2) preserving and maintaining the stock of natural resources and hence safeguarding against depletion.
The EGSS statistics aim at compiling data for the following economic variables:
Output: consists of products that become available for use outside of the producer unit, any goods and services produced for own final use and goods that remain in the inventories at the end of the period in which they are produced. Apart from market output, output for own final use and non-market output, EGSS statistics also include ancillary output, comprising output intended for use within an enterprise.
Market output is to be valued at basic prices, that is, the prices receivable by the producer from the purchaser minus taxes and plus subsidies on products. Output for own final use is to be valued at basic prices of similar products sold on the market or by the total costs of production. Non-market output is to be estimated by the total costs of production. Ancillary output is measured as a total of recurrent production costs (such as intermediate consumption, compensation of employees and consumption of fixed capital) incurred by enterprises to: 1) reduce environmental pressures arising from their production process or 2) produce environmental goods or services not intended for use outside the enterprise, but instead supporting other (non-environmental) activities undertaken within the enterprise (e.g. waste management services carried out in-house). For market producers, a mark-up for net operating surplus is added to the value of the EGSS ancillary output. Gross Value Added: represents the contribution made by the production of environmental goods and services to GDP. It is the difference between the value of the output and intermediate consumption.
Employment: is measured in full-time equivalent jobs engaged in the production of output of environmental goods and services. Full-time equivalent is defined as total hours worked divided by the average annual working hours in a full-time job.
Exports: consist of sales, barter, gifts, or grants, of environmental goods and services from residents to non-residents.
Council Regulation (EEC) No 696/93 of 15 March 1993 on the statistical units for the observation and analysis of the production system in the Community describes the different statistical units of the production system.
The recommended statistical unit for the collection and compilation of EGSS statistics (excluding general government) is the establishment. For general government, the recommendation is to use institutional units and groupings of units as defined in the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010).
The statistical population is the national economy as defined in SEEA CF 2012 and the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010). It includes all economic activities undertaken by resident units.
Switzerland
The reference period for EGSS data is the calendar year.
This statistic is based on the best available data. However, there are some known deficiencies and the applied methodology is in a permanent process of improvement.
Output, gross value added, and exports are measured in million units of national currency. Employment is measured in full time equivalents (i.e., full time equivalent jobs).
According to the EGSS Practical Guide, using existing data sources and refined methods when possible.
We use, for example, data from the NA, from the IOT and from the COFOG as well as SBS data on EPE to estimate the ancillary production of EP services.
We also use, for example, the most detailed available data from employment statistics, value added statistics, energy statistics, R&D expenditure statistics and education statistics.
We sometime use GVA/output or FTE/output ratios derived from NA data to calculate EGSS GVA or EGSS FTE from EGSS output.
Our colleague from the Economic Accounts for Agriculture (EAA) and Forestry (EAF) has estimated the production, gross value added and employment of organic farming (within NACE 01) and of sustainable forestry (within NACE 02) according to EGSS Handbook and to the indicative compendium.
See 8.1
See 14.1.1. and 14.1.2.
We do not distinguish between the management of low-level radioactive waste – which is to be included under CEPA 3 - and the management of high-level radioactive waste – which is to be included under CEPA 7. Both are reported under CEPA 3.
There are no changes in the statistical process over time. Thus, by using a common framework, data are comparable over time.
