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
The Netherlands
3.8. Coverage - Time
2020-2022
For now we have only transmitted the required data for 2020-2022. We have data available from 2001 onwards.
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).
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
CBS collects data from people, companies and institutions. Upon receipt of these data, all directly identifying personal details are removed as soon as possible and replaced by a pseudo key. CBS uses these so-called pseudonymised data to conduct statistical research. CBS will only publish statistical information without identifiable or traceable personal data. Furthermore, CBS has taken measures to ensure protection from theft, loss or abuse of personal data. CBS will never supply identifiable data to third parties, including other government institutions. However, (academic) institutions may, under strict conditions, be given access to pseudonymised personal or corporate data. These are referred to as microdata.
CBS meets the most stringent requirements as regards data protection. Every year, a privacy audit takes place which is carried out by an accredited external organisation and which results in a Privacy Audit Proof certificate.
This is how CBS demonstrates its compliance with the regulations of the GDPR (the accountability principle). External registrars (data suppliers) are controllers in themselves and in many cases bear a statutory obligation to supply datasets to CBS. The controlling responsibility of data suppliers under the GDPR ceases to exist as soon as data have been received by CBS.
For the environmental goods en services data each cell must comprise data of at least 3 companies and the share of the largest company should be maximum 70.
8.1. Release calendar
The environmental goods en services data for the Netherlands are released around 15 months after the end of the calendar year. There is no release calendar.
8.2. Release calendar access
Not applicable.
8.3. Release policy - user access
The environmental goods en services data are publicly available and freely accesible online.
The environmental goods en services data for the Netherlands are released annually.
The EGSS provides useful insights regarding green growth, i.e. number of green jobs. Especially the breakdown to CReMA 13 focusing on renewable energy production and eneryg saving is of interest to policy makers, and is also required in other publications such as the KEV (National Climate and Energy publication (energy transition).
However, with respect to the growing interest in the Circular economy EGSS does not provide all the required data. CREMA activities are a starting point, but more CE activities (such as repair/second hand shops/ wholesale trade in scrap) have to be added. Most circular activities, related to resource management, are not within the scope of the EGSS.
12.3. Completeness
Statistics Netherlands has been producing the EGSS data for several years now, and since it becames obligatory we had to make several improvements, mainly related to breaking down the data by NACE class. Although there are still some components of the EGSS that require extra attention, as far as we are aware we now fully comply to the reporting obligations. Please let us know if this is not the case.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not requested for this metadata collection.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Most data is derived directly from National Accounts, COFOG or other official statistics.
The population of businesses is of lower quality. It is time consuming to keep the population up to date, furthermore the environmental share of businesss is constant so we do not measure (within company) development over time accurately. Furthermore allocating environmental shares (and CEPA/ CReMA distribution) to businesses is quite subjective and a rough estimate.
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
Statistics Netherlands disseminates data with a delay of about 12 months after the end of the reference year
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
12 months
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
20 months
14.2. Punctuality
The data were delivered to Eurostat on 28 October 2024. The reporting deadline for EGSS to Eurostat is 31 October.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable because there is no release calendar
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Not applicable
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Other wood production when complying with sustainability measures (not relevant)
Organic aquaculture activities (not economically significant yet, might be included in the future)
Manufacture of vehicles for wastewater treatment, vehicles for sewer cleaning, trucks for waste collection (probably not relevant, also not been able to identify)
15.1.3. Comparability - geographical - products not present in Indicative compendium - included
Because we use several different approaches (not a product-approach) to estimate 'environmental activities', it is sometimes difficult to know exactly whether certain products or activities (e.g. 'Manufacture of boards, blocks and similar articles of vegetable fibre, straw or wood waste, agglomerated with mineral binders) are completely included.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Comparable time series are available starting with 2001 reference year.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Comparable time series are available starting with 2001 reference year.
15.2.2. Comparability - over time detailed
Time series from 2000 to 2009 are calculated using a factor (sometimes at a higher aggregated level) from previous publications.
Since 2010, a microapproach (MDL) method has been used. Every effort has been made to ensure that these two methods are compatible. We do a search for companies every three years. Every three years has a possibility for a break in the data. The most recent edition of the recheck was in 2023.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
The data are coherent with the National Accounts and the Environmental Accounts.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Only annual statistics are used for the compilation of this statistic.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
We do not have procedures in place to check coherence, but we do use SUT and COFOG directly to compile EGSS figures.
Some procedures to check coherence of our final results with SUT and COFOG could be useful. Especially because we use many different methods which may overlap.
The statistics regarding government production, gross value added and employment used for the calculation of the EGSS come out of the same source data as the EPEA. This ensures the data should be consistent between the EPEA and the EGSS.
15.3.4. Coherence - other statistics
EGSS statistics are not compared to other statistics. They do however often come directly out of microdata of other sources, like trade statistics and business statistics.
15.4. Coherence - internal
In general the same data sources are used to compile the various EGSS variables, mostly National Account data. In some cases GVA or Employment figures have to be estimated, this is done by determining GVA/output and Emp/output ratios, which are in most cases directly derived form corresponding NACE-classes. In some cases, for instance the results from the business population, data is not directly derived from NA and definitions and measurement rules may deviate slightly.
Currently about 0,3 FTE, this includes dissemination of data (data tables, news articles, improving/developing data quality, etc.)
16.1. Cost and Burden - other accounts
17.1. Data revision - policy
In the long-run we aim to follow the general revision strategy of the Dutch NA, which means we will only revise once every 5 years (the NA-revision will affect EGSS estimates in 2025), except for the rebase of the business population which will be revised once every 3 years (which has been revised recently). However, in the short term there are still many aspect of EGSS that need further improvement, so we will try to continuously improve the EGSS statistic and its scope in the coming years. Also, the update of the compendium means we need to have another look at the scope and extent/improve where needed.
17.2. Data revision - practice
The last major revision of National Accounts was the 2015 revision.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable
17.2.2. Status of data
In 2023 we worked on a rebase of our microdata. This means that the results of previous years can differ.
18.1. Source data
National Account data forms that basis of the Dutch EGSS for all economic variables. Supply and use tables provide market output and gross value added figures for several NACE classes (e.g. NACE A01, E36, E37, E38, E39, M71.2, S94.996) while Labour Accounts data is used to provide employment figures. In some cases (e.g. A01 agriculture) additional sources (e.g. data on organic farming certificates) are used to estimate the environmental share (ha organic agriculture / ha total agriculture) of a specific NACE class.
COFOG data is used to derive economic variables (output, employment and gross value added) for environmentally related government activities. No export of environmentally related government activities is measured.
A part of the remaining environmental activities, that cannot be linked directly to NA data, is estimated by the so called micro-approach. A population of businesses (mainly activities related to sustainable energy, construction, consultancy and engineering) is set up and linked to the Dutch Business Register, statistics on employment (SWL) and International Trade Statistics.
The population of businesses has been revised and updated recently (as we try to do every 3 years). This was mainly done by using a webcrawl to identify environmental businesses that were not included before. As a result, the whole time series has been revised.
For some environmental activities, such as education, additional data from external sources is used to provide more accurate estimates. In a few cases some other approaches were used, e.g. to estimate export figures of specific goods a selection of CN-codes was made and linked to international trade data.
18.1.1. Source data - detailed - environmental accounts
We do not use any other environmental accounts as data sources. However we do use the same source as the EPEA (COFOG data).
18.1.2. Source data - detailed - other statistics
We use agricultural statistics to estimate the production, gross value added, employment and export of the biological agricultural sector. We also use energy statistics (physical energy production) to estimate a part of the statistics regarding these NACEs. We use statistics regarding education as well.
Furthermore we use microdata regarding international trade statistics, production statistics and labour statistics to extimate our population of microdata.
18.1.3. Source data - survey
No additional surveys are held to produce the Dutch EGSS data. Data is derived from existing data sources.
18.1.4. Source data - detailed - other macro economic data (trade, VAT etc.)
We do not use other macro-economic data not mentioned in points 18.1.1 or 18.1.2. We mostly use micro-economic data.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual
18.3. Data collection
Not applicable
18.4. Data validation
If (new) external data sources are used (for instance on organic agriculture) we try to find multiple sources or historic sources to check their validity, further we check whether this new data deviates from previous data (and how much and why). The quality of data that is directly derived from the National Accounts is not checked. When applying new compilation methods, for instance we now compile government activities based on COFOG data, we compare the new and old results and analyze the differences.
Another check on for instance export is to compare them with production value. We compare export and production data in detail (i.e. at lowest CEPA/NACE categories possible), and make sure exports cannot exceed production value. This is the case sometimes, because we use different approaches (product vs activity) for exports and production value which may lead to different (inconsistent) results.
18.5. Data compilation
Scope:
The scope of the Dutch EGSS has been determined in the past by identifying (16) different environmental activites, these still forms the basis of the Dutch EGSS. However, the EGSS has developed since and the EGSS operational lists and EGSS handbook have been developed and improved. The operational list of activities is used to identify missing activities. In some cases these activities are excluded on purpose, either because they are economically irrelevant and not worth the effort to include them (a lot of work for an insignificant improvement, e.g. inspection of vehicles on air emissions), or we lack the data sources to estimate them. However, we continuously try to improve the EGSS by identifying new data sources and including new activities.
Additional data is used to determine the share of environmental activities. For instance, for education data on the number of students enrolled in an environmental study was used (and compared to total number of students), for organic agriculture the SKAL-certification (i.e. organic farming certificate) was used which shows the hectares used for organic agriculture (compared to total hectares in agriculture). Furthermore, a business population is used to identify certain environmental activities (see source data paragraph). The environmental share of these businesses (and CEPA/CReMA subdivision) is based on company year reports, websites and is basically and expert guess.
No additional surveys are held to produce the Dutch EGSS data. Data is derived from existing data sources.
data compilation process:
National Account data forms that basis of the Dutch EGSS for all economic variables. Supply and use tables provide market output and gross value added figures for several NACE classes (e.g. NACE A01, E36, E37, E38, E39, M71.2, S94.996) while Labour Accounts data is used to provide employment figures. In some cases (e.g. A01 agriculture) additional sources (e.g. data on organic farming certificates) are used to estimate the environmental share (ha organic agriculture / ha total agriculture) of a specific NACE class.
COFOG data is used to derive economic variables (output, employment and gross value added) for environmentally related government activities. No export of environmentally related government activities is measured.
A part of the remaining environmental activities, that cannot be linked directly to NA data, is estimated by the so called micro-approach. A population of businesses (mainly activities related to sustainable energy, construction, consultancy and engineering) is set up and linked to the Dutch Business Register, statistics on employment (SWL) and International Trade Statistics.
For some environmental activities, such as education, additional data from external sources is used to provide more accurate estimates. In a few cases some other approaches were used, e.g. to estimate export figures of specific goods a selection of CN-codes was made and linked to international trade data.
Share:
In most cases the same environmental share is applied to all economic variables. CEPA/CReMA shares differ for each company, so does their corresponding NACE class.
It depends on the method used whether the share is fixed over time. E.g. education and agriculture have a changing share over time (and are updated yearly). However, the environmental share of the business population has been fixed over time. However, we are looking for a method to allow for changing environmental shares for companies over time. However, it is an impossible task (time consuming) to check and update the environmental shares of all companies (>2000) year-to-year.
Shares in the micro-approach are updated every 3 years. Shares related to other activities such as agriculture and education are updated annually.
Description:
OUTPUT
Most data is derived directly from National Accounts. Business population is not directly linked, but is based on sources that are used to produce the NA data.
GROSS VALUE ADDED (GVA)
NA-data uses supply and use tables which include data on GVA. When COFOG data is applied we calculate GVA by taking total output minus intermediate use. In some cases GVA is not available at the required level of detail ( e.g. NACE 7.1.2.x (DUTCH SBI 7.1.2.0.3), then a corresponding output/GVA ratio (of NACE 7.1.2) is used to calculate GVA. In case of the population of businesses, each business is linked to the Production Statistics which also includes GVA figures on a business level.
EXPORTS
We use several different methods. For some activities it is based on the total exports of the corresponding NACE-class. The population of businesses can be linked directly to export figures on business level. For some activities there is no (clear) export at all. For organic agriculture we use an external source.
EMPLOYMENT
In most cases we derive FTEs directly from the Labour Accounts or other source data on employment (e.g. linking the business population to employment data per business. In some cases an output/employment ratio is used of a corresponding/similar NACE class as best estimation available.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not requested for this metadata collection.
18.5.2. Data compilation - by variable and type of output
We sum up the data that follows from the microdata and the separate estimates for which the use microdata isn't suited. These are summed for all the four types of output in the questionnaire of the EGSS. We generally only consider market output, with exceptions for NACEs O and P, which we generally assume to be non-market output.
National accounts
For the relevant NACE codes that can entirely be attributed to the EGSS (like 37, 38, 39...), we use the SUT and labour accounts in order to select the statistics for these entire sectors.
COFOG
From the COFOG data it is possible to identify the environmental expenditure of the government (which equals the production value). We also know the intermediary use, thus we can calculate the gross value added. We can derive the labour statistics of the COFOG by dividing the wage sum by the average wage for the relevant government sector.
Separate estimates
We will give a few examples of the separate estimates. This is not an exhaustive list.
For instance, for the energy production we use the physical production of renewable energy and combine this with price information of the relevant energy source to calculate production value. From here we use production statistics and labour statistics to estimate the fte's used for the production of this energy.
For education for instance we use the share of education that is related to green/sustainable studies. We use this to estimate the share of output/GVA/employment that is related to the EGSS.
We also use physical statistics, like the amount of solar power or wind energy installed in a year in order to calculate the emplyoment related to installation activities.
Microdata population
For the remaining activities we have a database of companies which we link to statistics regarding production, labour and trade in order to calculate their enviromental activities. Some companies we consider to be fully within the EGSS, some of them we consider to be partially within the EGSS. We estimate this with a factor.
18.5.3. Data compilation - by NACE
We select the NACE in which the activity fits best. For instance the government data fits in NACE O, biological agriculture fits in NACE A. For the company database we use the NACE as used in our National Accounts system.
18.5.4. Data compilation – CReMA 13B memo item
As of now we have not looked into this memo item.
18.6. Adjustment
Not relevant
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.
4 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 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.
The Netherlands
The reference period for EGSS data is the calendar year.
Most data is derived directly from National Accounts, COFOG or other official statistics.
The population of businesses is of lower quality. It is time consuming to keep the population up to date, furthermore the environmental share of businesss is constant so we do not measure (within company) development over time accurately. Furthermore allocating environmental shares (and CEPA/ CReMA distribution) to businesses is quite subjective and a rough estimate.
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).
Scope:
The scope of the Dutch EGSS has been determined in the past by identifying (16) different environmental activites, these still forms the basis of the Dutch EGSS. However, the EGSS has developed since and the EGSS operational lists and EGSS handbook have been developed and improved. The operational list of activities is used to identify missing activities. In some cases these activities are excluded on purpose, either because they are economically irrelevant and not worth the effort to include them (a lot of work for an insignificant improvement, e.g. inspection of vehicles on air emissions), or we lack the data sources to estimate them. However, we continuously try to improve the EGSS by identifying new data sources and including new activities.
Additional data is used to determine the share of environmental activities. For instance, for education data on the number of students enrolled in an environmental study was used (and compared to total number of students), for organic agriculture the SKAL-certification (i.e. organic farming certificate) was used which shows the hectares used for organic agriculture (compared to total hectares in agriculture). Furthermore, a business population is used to identify certain environmental activities (see source data paragraph). The environmental share of these businesses (and CEPA/CReMA subdivision) is based on company year reports, websites and is basically and expert guess.
No additional surveys are held to produce the Dutch EGSS data. Data is derived from existing data sources.
data compilation process:
National Account data forms that basis of the Dutch EGSS for all economic variables. Supply and use tables provide market output and gross value added figures for several NACE classes (e.g. NACE A01, E36, E37, E38, E39, M71.2, S94.996) while Labour Accounts data is used to provide employment figures. In some cases (e.g. A01 agriculture) additional sources (e.g. data on organic farming certificates) are used to estimate the environmental share (ha organic agriculture / ha total agriculture) of a specific NACE class.
COFOG data is used to derive economic variables (output, employment and gross value added) for environmentally related government activities. No export of environmentally related government activities is measured.
A part of the remaining environmental activities, that cannot be linked directly to NA data, is estimated by the so called micro-approach. A population of businesses (mainly activities related to sustainable energy, construction, consultancy and engineering) is set up and linked to the Dutch Business Register, statistics on employment (SWL) and International Trade Statistics.
For some environmental activities, such as education, additional data from external sources is used to provide more accurate estimates. In a few cases some other approaches were used, e.g. to estimate export figures of specific goods a selection of CN-codes was made and linked to international trade data.
Share:
In most cases the same environmental share is applied to all economic variables. CEPA/CReMA shares differ for each company, so does their corresponding NACE class.
It depends on the method used whether the share is fixed over time. E.g. education and agriculture have a changing share over time (and are updated yearly). However, the environmental share of the business population has been fixed over time. However, we are looking for a method to allow for changing environmental shares for companies over time. However, it is an impossible task (time consuming) to check and update the environmental shares of all companies (>2000) year-to-year.
Shares in the micro-approach are updated every 3 years. Shares related to other activities such as agriculture and education are updated annually.
Description:
OUTPUT
Most data is derived directly from National Accounts. Business population is not directly linked, but is based on sources that are used to produce the NA data.
GROSS VALUE ADDED (GVA)
NA-data uses supply and use tables which include data on GVA. When COFOG data is applied we calculate GVA by taking total output minus intermediate use. In some cases GVA is not available at the required level of detail ( e.g. NACE 7.1.2.x (DUTCH SBI 7.1.2.0.3), then a corresponding output/GVA ratio (of NACE 7.1.2) is used to calculate GVA. In case of the population of businesses, each business is linked to the Production Statistics which also includes GVA figures on a business level.
EXPORTS
We use several different methods. For some activities it is based on the total exports of the corresponding NACE-class. The population of businesses can be linked directly to export figures on business level. For some activities there is no (clear) export at all. For organic agriculture we use an external source.
EMPLOYMENT
In most cases we derive FTEs directly from the Labour Accounts or other source data on employment (e.g. linking the business population to employment data per business. In some cases an output/employment ratio is used of a corresponding/similar NACE class as best estimation available.
National Account data forms that basis of the Dutch EGSS for all economic variables. Supply and use tables provide market output and gross value added figures for several NACE classes (e.g. NACE A01, E36, E37, E38, E39, M71.2, S94.996) while Labour Accounts data is used to provide employment figures. In some cases (e.g. A01 agriculture) additional sources (e.g. data on organic farming certificates) are used to estimate the environmental share (ha organic agriculture / ha total agriculture) of a specific NACE class.
COFOG data is used to derive economic variables (output, employment and gross value added) for environmentally related government activities. No export of environmentally related government activities is measured.
A part of the remaining environmental activities, that cannot be linked directly to NA data, is estimated by the so called micro-approach. A population of businesses (mainly activities related to sustainable energy, construction, consultancy and engineering) is set up and linked to the Dutch Business Register, statistics on employment (SWL) and International Trade Statistics.
The population of businesses has been revised and updated recently (as we try to do every 3 years). This was mainly done by using a webcrawl to identify environmental businesses that were not included before. As a result, the whole time series has been revised.
For some environmental activities, such as education, additional data from external sources is used to provide more accurate estimates. In a few cases some other approaches were used, e.g. to estimate export figures of specific goods a selection of CN-codes was made and linked to international trade data.
The environmental goods en services data for the Netherlands are released annually.
Statistics Netherlands disseminates data with a delay of about 12 months after the end of the reference year
Not applicable
Comparable time series are available starting with 2001 reference year.
