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 an activity carried out under the control, responsibility and management of an institutional unit that uses inputs of labour, capital and goods and services to produce outputs 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
Germany
3.8. Coverage - Time
2012 to 2022
3.9. Base period
Not requested for this metadata collection
Output, gross value added and exports are measured in million euros. 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).
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
According to Section 16 (1) of the Federal Statistics Act (Bundesstatistikgesetz - BStatG), the Federal Statistical Office of Germany is obliged to keep individual data confidential.
Information in a table that could be attributed to individual establishments and facilities is kept confidential (primary confidentiality). This includes values that only contain information from one or two units as well as values where the result is significantly determined by either one or two units. In addition, as of reference year 2022, the information to be kept confidential is also determined according to the p% rule. The p% rule states that information is blocked if the difference between the value in the table and the second largest individual value exceeds the largest individual value by less than p%. The information kept confidential because it could be attributed to individual establishments and facilities is included in the totals. In order to prevent that information from being reconstructed, other cells in the table are whited out as well (secondary confidentiality).
8.1. Release calendar
Not available
8.2. Release calendar access
Not available
8.3. Release policy - user access
Not available
Annually
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
A news release concerning, among other things, German EGSS survey data on turnover and employees was published on 26 June 2024.
During and after the EGSS survey, plausibility checks are applied: Previous data are considered, total turnover from economic statistics is used as a benchmark for EGSS turnover, and similarly with respect to employment figures.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Best practice methods are applied to improve the EGSS survey methodology and the estimates.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The main users of the statistics are the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Business associations, the media, science (universities and research institutes) and the interested public are also among the users of the EGSS accounts.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
The EGSS accounts differentiate between environmental domains (CEPA/CReMA). However, German data users sometimes need more detailed information on individual environmental goods and services (e.g. data related to wind energy or energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings).
12.3. Completeness
The German EGSS results are partly based on a specialized survey and partly based on estimations. The completeness of the results has increased over time. Reference year 2022 is a case in point: In 2024 (regarding 2022), results for fuel wood production and for non-market environmental protection activities have been added.
Some of the products covered by the indicative compendium are not included in the data (see below, point 15.1.2).
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not requested for this metadata collection
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Best practice methods are applied to improve the EGSS survey methodology. The focus is on delineating the set of surveyed entities: New products are considered, others are assessed as state of the art and excluded. In addition, new information on potentially environmental producers is taken into account.
Results for gross value added, and for economic activities not covered by the EGSS survey are estimates based on additional data sources. They are as accurate as possible but they might not be as accurate as the survey results.
13.2. Sampling error
EGSS accounts are compiled using a range of statistical sources. The 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 statistical sources. The 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
Final survey results for environmental turnover, environmental exports and environmental employment are available at t+18. Results for gross value added, and for economic activities not covered by the survey are based on data available no later than t+21.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
No distinction is made between first and final results.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Final survey results for environmental turnover, environmental exports and environmental employment are available at t+18. Results for gross value added, and for economic activities not covered by the survey are based on data available no later than t+21.
14.2. Punctuality
The data were delivered to Eurostat on 24 October 2024. The reporting deadline for EGSS to Eurostat is 31 October.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
The reporting deadline was met.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
See points 15.1.1 to 15.1.3 below.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
The following products covered by the indicative compendium in Regulation (EU) 2015/2174 are not included in the data: - Aquaculture products, - lead containers for radioactive waste, - charcoal when complying with sustainability measures, - reconditioned wooden containers, - sacks and bags for replacing plastic bags, - more efficient domestic appliances, - nuclear waste treatment and disposal services, - technical inspection services of road transport vehicles regarding air emissions.
15.1.3. Comparability - geographical - products not present in Indicative compendium - included
None
15.2. Comparability - over time
Breaks in the series are due to the dynamics surrounding environmental activities: New products are considered, others are assessed as state of the art and excluded. In addition, the set of surveyed entities is annually extended based on new information on potentially environmental producers.
In 2015, the national legislation extended the survey to include all economic activities except for agriculture.
For reference year 2019, data in connection with electromobility in the domain of CEPA 1 "Protection of ambient air and climate" were collected for the first time.
For reference year 2020, data of the sections 8.1.2 "R&D for the protection of climate and ozone layer” (as a subgroup of R&D for environmental protection) and 15.5.1 "R&D for the production of energy from renewable sources” (as a subgroup of R&D for resource management) were collected for the first time.
Beginning with reference year 2020, the German statistics have redefined and differentiated the reports on "improvement of the energy efficiency of buildings". They now include the energy refurbishment of existing buildings (e.g. measures that result in an improvement in the efficiency class of at least KfW efficiency house standard 115) and the construction of new efficiency houses (e.g. construction of efficiency, passive and plus energy houses with KfW efficiency house standard 55, 40, 40 Plus or better).
In 2024, estimation procedures for economic activities not covered by the national EGSS survey were thoroughly reviewed and in part substantially modified. There is a break in the series as the new procedures are only applied from reference year 2022 onwards. Furthermore, prior to reference year 2022, the data do not include fuel wood production, and non-market environmental protection activities are essentially not included in the data.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
2019 to 2021
15.2.2. Comparability - over time detailed
2019 to 2021
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
See points 15.3.1 to 15.3.4 below.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
The EGSS accounts have the same system boundaries as the national accounts.
Some of the EGSS estimates draw on national accounts data.
The EGSS results for NACE 37, 38 and 39 are largely based on preliminary EPEA results. These might differ from the EPEA results reported to Eurostat three months later, however, as the preliminary results draw on somewhat older national accounts data than the ones reported.
15.3.4. Coherence - other statistics
Some of the EGSS estimates draw on data from other domains (see below, section 18.1).
15.4. Coherence - internal
The results based on the EGSS survey are internally coherent.
For certain economic activities, estimation methods have been developed (see below, point 18.1). Data sources and the exact procedures vary from economic activity to economic activity. However, the estimates are mainly based on supply side data.
Restricted from publication
16.1. Cost and Burden - other accounts
Restricted from publication
17.1. Data revision - policy
Published data are considered final.
17.2. Data revision - practice
No revisions were made.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable
17.2.2. Status of data
Considered final
18.1. Source data
The main data source for the variables output, exports and employment is the annual EGSS survey. Establishments report environmental turnover and exports by environmental domain (CEPA 1 to 6, 8 and 9, CReMA 13 and 15). Environmental employment, by contrast, is reported in toto by the establishments. It is attributed to environmental domains based on the share of turnover (by NACE and environmental domain).
Gross value added is not reported in the survey on EGSS. For this reason, all results for gross value added are estimates based on additional data sources. In the case of the economic activities covered by the survey, it is assumed that the gross value added to output ratios of environmental and non-environmental producers are identical. The relevant ratios are calculated using structural business statistics data. In the other cases, data sources and estimation procedures depend on the economic activity under consideration.
For certain economic activities, estimation methods have been developed: - Organic agriculture (NACE A / CEPA 4), - sustainable management of forest areas (NACE A / CReMA 11A), - production of fuel wood (NACE A / CReMA 13A), - management of water (NACE C, E, F and M / CReMA 10), - waste and waste water management and materials recovery (NACE D and E / CEPA 2, 3 and 4 and CReMA 14), - production of biofuels (NACE C / CReMA 13A), - renewable electricity production (NACE C and D / CReMA 13A), - renewable heat production (various NACE sections / CReMA 13A) and - non-market environmental protection activities (NACE O and P / various CEPA classes).
The annual EGSS survey addresses establishments that produce goods and services for environmental protection and (albeit selectively) resource management. The survey covers establishments in all sectors of the economy, with the exception of NACE A and (as of reference year 2017) NACE 37 to 39. In 2017, cut-off thresholds were introduced: Since reference year 2016, establishments in NACE B to F with less than 20 employees and establishments in NACE G to U with a total annual turnover of less than 1 million euros have not been included in the survey.
18.1.1. Source data - detailed - environmental accounts
Two of the estimations mentioned above in point 18.1 are largely based on environmental protection expenditure accounts data: - waste and waste water management and materials recovery (NACE D and E / CEPA 2, 3 and 4 and CReMA 14) and - non-market environmental protection activities (NACE O and P / various CEPA classes).
Two further ones are largely based on European forest accounts data: - sustainable management of forest areas (NACE A / CReMA 11A) and - production of fuel wood (NACE A / CReMA 13A).
The results on renewable heat production (various NACE sections / CReMA 13A, see point 18.1 above) draw on physical energy flow accounts data (as well as on other data).
18.1.2. Source data - detailed - other statistics
Structural business statistics data; national accounts data (supply and use tables, input-output-tables); data on organic agriculture and agriculture in general (census data, results of the German farm accountancy data network); data on forest regeneration, tending and protection (results of the German forest accountancy data network); data on electricity from renewable sources (published by the German Environment Agency [UBA] and by the "Steuerungsgruppe Horizontaler Belastungsausgleich"); data on biofuels (survey of biofuels, UFOP market information oilseeds and biofuels, data published by the company agriportance); data on district heating prices (published by the AGFW) and further data.
18.1.3. Source data - survey
The main data source for the variables output, exports and employment is the annual EGSS survey.
The survey´s questionnaire contains a list of environmental goods and services by environmental domain. The list is compiled based on technological considerations and verified by national experts.
In order to allow for environmental goods and services not explicitly listed as well as to allow for new environmental technological developments, there is the position "other" by environmental domain. The respondent is asked to briefly describe the goods and services contained in those positions. New goods and services are annually assessed and, if considered relevant, included in the list.
It is the responsibility of the respondent to determine whether or not the products and services fulfil an environmental purpose and correspond to the entries in the list. Borderline cases are discussed with the NSI.
In general, adapted goods are not considered in the 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
Each year, information on environmental turnover, exports and employment is gathered from many, but not all, of the producers of environmental goods and services. Additionally, statistical results from other sections of the Federal Statistical Office and from other offices and organizations are collected. Many of those results are publicly available. However, some of them, typically very detailed ones, are provided to us on the condition that they are used for internal calculations only.
18.4. Data validation
During and after the EGSS survey, plausibility checks are applied: Previous data are considered, total turnover from economic statistics is used as a benchmark for EGSS turnover, and similarly with respect to employment figures.
The data provided by other sections of the Federal Statistical Office and by other offices and organizations are usually validated by these. If a result seems suspicious, providers are contacted.
18.5. Data compilation
Establishments participating in the annual EGSS survey are asked to report environmental turnover and environmental exports differentiated by environmental goods and services, according to a list of goods and services attached to the survey´s questionnaire. Each of these goods and services is related to an environmental domain, and every establishment is assigned to a specific economic activity (NACE Rev. 2). Environmental employment, by contrast, is reported in toto by the establishments. It is attributed to environmental domains based on the share of turnover (by economic activity and environmental domain). Gross value added, on the other hand, is not part of the annual EGSS survey. In the case of the economic activities covered by the survey, it is assumed that the gross value added to output ratios of environmental and non-environmental producers are identical. The relevant ratios are calculated using structural business statistics data.
For certain economic activities, estimation methods have been developed (see above, point 18.1). Data sources and the exact procedures vary from economic activity to economic activity. However, the estimates are mainly based on supply side data.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not requested for this metadata collection
18.5.2. Data compilation - by variable and type of output
Output and exports - Results obtained in the annual EGSS survey, and estimates. - In the case of the economic activities listed above, in point 18.1, estimations are undertaken. Data sources and estimation procedures depend on the economic activity under consideration. We use business statistics data; national accounts data; environmental protection expenditure accounts data; data on organic agriculture and agriculture in general; European forest accounts data and German forest accountancy data network data; physical energy flow accounts data; data on electricity from renewable sources; data on biofuels; data on district heating prices; and further data. - CEPA 4 does not include exports of organic agricultural products as data are insufficient to estimate them.
Employment - Employment is part of the annual EGSS survey. However, employment is reported in toto by establishments, whereas establishments ultimately report output and exports by environmental domain. Our results for employment by environmental domain are either estimates based entirely on the annual EGSS survey or estimates based on other sources. - In the case of economic activities covered by the annual EGSS survey, annual EGSS survey results for employment are attributed to environmental domains using annual EGSS survey results for output by environmental domain. - In the case of the economic activities listed above, in point 18.1, data sources and estimation procedures depend on the economic activity under consideration (see immediately above, "Output and exports").
Gross value added - Gross value added is not part of the annual EGSS survey. All our results for gross value added are estimates based on additional sources. - In the case of economic activities covered by the annual EGSS survey, gross value added is estimated by combining annual EGSS survey results for output with structural business statistics data. - In the case of the economic activities listed above, in point 18.1, data sources and estimation procedures depend on the economic activity under consideration (see above, first two variables [output and exports]).
Non-market activities The results for non-market activities are largely based on environmental protection expenditure accounts data. Resource management activities are essentially omitted.
Activities for own final use Beginning with reference year 2022, the results for organic agriculture and for renewable heat production distinguish between market activities and activities for own final use.
18.5.3. Data compilation - by NACE
See above, point 18.5.
18.5.4. Data compilation – CReMA 13B memo item
Beginning with reference year 2020, the German statistics have redefined and differentiated the reports on "improvement of the energy efficiency of buildings". They now include the energy refurbishment of existing buildings (e.g. measures that result in an improvement in the efficiency class of at least KfW efficiency house standard 115) and the construction of new efficiency houses (e.g. construction of efficiency, passive and plus energy houses with KfW efficiency house standard 55, 40, 40 Plus or better).
The reports are now differentiated according to the following criteria: - Thermal insulation of the building envelope (e.g. installation or manufacture of windows for thermal insulation with a U-value of less than 1.0 W/m²K, large components such as window frames, fittings, films for coating glass, roller shutters, closing of thermal bridges, large components such as thermal insulation materials for buildings, insulation boards and mats, installation, service and planning), - energy-efficient heating technology (e.g. installation or production of condensing boilers, heat pumps, solar thermal and micro-CHP, pellet heating), - energy-efficient ventilation and air-conditioning technology (e.g. ventilation systems with heat recovery, automated control systems for monitoring and adjusting the indoor climate), - energy-efficient lighting technology (e.g. daylight sensors with dimmers, motion detectors, energy-efficient lighting concepts) and - other environmental protection services to improve the energy efficiency of buildings that cannot be assigned to the preceding keys (e.g. building automation measures, production of software for controlling electrical systems, including large components, installation, service and planning).
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not requested for this metadata collection
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.
25 November 2024
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 an activity carried out under the control, responsibility and management of an institutional unit that uses inputs of labour, capital and goods and services to produce outputs 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.
Germany
The reference period for EGSS data is the calendar year.
Best practice methods are applied to improve the EGSS survey methodology. The focus is on delineating the set of surveyed entities: New products are considered, others are assessed as state of the art and excluded. In addition, new information on potentially environmental producers is taken into account.
Results for gross value added, and for economic activities not covered by the EGSS survey are estimates based on additional data sources. They are as accurate as possible but they might not be as accurate as the survey results.
Output, gross value added and exports are measured in million euros. Employment is measured in full time equivalents (i.e. full time equivalent jobs).
Establishments participating in the annual EGSS survey are asked to report environmental turnover and environmental exports differentiated by environmental goods and services, according to a list of goods and services attached to the survey´s questionnaire. Each of these goods and services is related to an environmental domain, and every establishment is assigned to a specific economic activity (NACE Rev. 2). Environmental employment, by contrast, is reported in toto by the establishments. It is attributed to environmental domains based on the share of turnover (by economic activity and environmental domain). Gross value added, on the other hand, is not part of the annual EGSS survey. In the case of the economic activities covered by the survey, it is assumed that the gross value added to output ratios of environmental and non-environmental producers are identical. The relevant ratios are calculated using structural business statistics data.
For certain economic activities, estimation methods have been developed (see above, point 18.1). Data sources and the exact procedures vary from economic activity to economic activity. However, the estimates are mainly based on supply side data.
The main data source for the variables output, exports and employment is the annual EGSS survey. Establishments report environmental turnover and exports by environmental domain (CEPA 1 to 6, 8 and 9, CReMA 13 and 15). Environmental employment, by contrast, is reported in toto by the establishments. It is attributed to environmental domains based on the share of turnover (by NACE and environmental domain).
Gross value added is not reported in the survey on EGSS. For this reason, all results for gross value added are estimates based on additional data sources. In the case of the economic activities covered by the survey, it is assumed that the gross value added to output ratios of environmental and non-environmental producers are identical. The relevant ratios are calculated using structural business statistics data. In the other cases, data sources and estimation procedures depend on the economic activity under consideration.
For certain economic activities, estimation methods have been developed: - Organic agriculture (NACE A / CEPA 4), - sustainable management of forest areas (NACE A / CReMA 11A), - production of fuel wood (NACE A / CReMA 13A), - management of water (NACE C, E, F and M / CReMA 10), - waste and waste water management and materials recovery (NACE D and E / CEPA 2, 3 and 4 and CReMA 14), - production of biofuels (NACE C / CReMA 13A), - renewable electricity production (NACE C and D / CReMA 13A), - renewable heat production (various NACE sections / CReMA 13A) and - non-market environmental protection activities (NACE O and P / various CEPA classes).
The annual EGSS survey addresses establishments that produce goods and services for environmental protection and (albeit selectively) resource management. The survey covers establishments in all sectors of the economy, with the exception of NACE A and (as of reference year 2017) NACE 37 to 39. In 2017, cut-off thresholds were introduced: Since reference year 2016, establishments in NACE B to F with less than 20 employees and establishments in NACE G to U with a total annual turnover of less than 1 million euros have not been included in the survey.
Annually
Final survey results for environmental turnover, environmental exports and environmental employment are available at t+18. Results for gross value added, and for economic activities not covered by the survey are based on data available no later than t+21.
See points 15.1.1 to 15.1.3 below.
Breaks in the series are due to the dynamics surrounding environmental activities: New products are considered, others are assessed as state of the art and excluded. In addition, the set of surveyed entities is annually extended based on new information on potentially environmental producers.
In 2015, the national legislation extended the survey to include all economic activities except for agriculture.
For reference year 2019, data in connection with electromobility in the domain of CEPA 1 "Protection of ambient air and climate" were collected for the first time.
For reference year 2020, data of the sections 8.1.2 "R&D for the protection of climate and ozone layer” (as a subgroup of R&D for environmental protection) and 15.5.1 "R&D for the production of energy from renewable sources” (as a subgroup of R&D for resource management) were collected for the first time.
Beginning with reference year 2020, the German statistics have redefined and differentiated the reports on "improvement of the energy efficiency of buildings". They now include the energy refurbishment of existing buildings (e.g. measures that result in an improvement in the efficiency class of at least KfW efficiency house standard 115) and the construction of new efficiency houses (e.g. construction of efficiency, passive and plus energy houses with KfW efficiency house standard 55, 40, 40 Plus or better).
In 2024, estimation procedures for economic activities not covered by the national EGSS survey were thoroughly reviewed and in part substantially modified. There is a break in the series as the new procedures are only applied from reference year 2022 onwards. Furthermore, prior to reference year 2022, the data do not include fuel wood production, and non-market environmental protection activities are essentially not included in the data.
