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.
Statistics Norway - division for national accounts
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
glm@ssb.no
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
31 October 2024
2.2. Metadata last posted
31 October 2024
2.3. Metadata last update
31 October 2024
3.1. Data description
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
National data
3.8. Coverage - Time
Periode from 2019-2022
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. Reported on 2024: 2022.
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
Act on Official Statistics and Statistics Norway (Statistics Act)
§ 13. Access to information for use in official statistics
Statistics Norway shall give other public authorities access to information to the extent necessary for the development, preparation or dissemination of official statistics. The information cannot be used for other purposes, and it can only be made available to persons with an official need in connection with work with official statistics.
The Ministry may issue regulations on public authorities' access to information for use in official statistics.
The general rule for publication is that data cannot be released unless they contain information from at least three or more participants (i.e. industrial enterprises). This rule can be waived if permission from the parties involved is granted. Such data can be published if they are already made available for the public elsewhere.
By Act on Official Statistics and Statistics Norway (Statistics Act)
15. Anonymous information for free use
Statistics Norway can make available to others information about statistical units communicated in such a way that the statistical unit cannot be identified, either directly or indirectly, when all relevant means that can reasonably be used are taken into account. The Freedom of Information Act does not apply to information according to the provision here.
By Act on Official Statistics and Statistics Norway (Statistics Act).
§ 6. Prohibition against discrimination.
When dealing with cases according to the law here or in other cases where access to information is given, there is no need for any kind of differential treatment between comparable cases or to agree that someone shall have exclusive rights to access information. The fact that a request has been submitted by a public or publicly linked business does not give rise to discrimination when the purpose of the request is unrelated to the public business objectives of the business.
Statistics Norway publish manday-friday at 08:00. All releases will be announced in the calender at SSB website.
Not yet published or decided.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
n.a.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
n.a.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
n.a.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not requested for this metadata collection.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
n.a.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
n.a.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not requested for this metadata collection.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Not available.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not requested for this metadata collection.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
n.a.
11.1. Quality assurance
Quality is as good as the data sources used.
The validation and plausibility checks to verify the outputs of EGSS data are done through comparison with the national accounts data, other data, manuell checks, dataprogram checks and others.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The best avaiable data is used in the compilation of EGSS.
Questions on quality, new or other datasources at up to descussion regulary.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The data may be relevant for user needs. A report on EGSS is published (only in Norwegian), Grønne varer og tjenester – SSB.
The EGSS-data seems to be partially relevant for external users. Mostly because they have other purpose and definitins then the EGSS-data.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
n.a.
12.3. Completeness
There is no special plans to compile other variables then reported.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not requested for this metadata collection.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
A high level of accuracy is ensured through good quality in the basis data serving EGSS and through following guidelines for the compilation of EGSS.
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.
For some subgroups under NACE C og NACE M a survey and estimation procedures are used. Spescial methods has been undertaken to deal with sampling issue, the range of variation, non-response, misclassifications, outlier treatment, imputation etc. Uncertainty around accuracy in the data from the survey is highest in the understanding of the questions, and willingness from the respondence. Actions like phone calls, review of webpages and annual reports are some of the action taken to deal with this. The survey was last time carried out in 2021 for the reference year 2020.
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
Figures for output and exports are calculated after the national accounts are finalized, 20 months after the reference period.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
About 20 + 4 months
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Figures for EGSS are not yet published by Statistics Norway on regular basis. A report was was published in 2024 with EGSS figures (only in Norwegian), Grønne varer og tjenester – SSB.
14.2. Punctuality
The data were delivered to Eurostat on 31 October 2024.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
n.a.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
There are not reported figures for most of the Manufacturing (C), Contruction (F) and Professional and scientific (M) activities for the reference year 2022, reported in 2024. This is due to missing datasources. The Norwegian EGSS Survey that collected most of this data has ended. The survey was last time sended out in 2021 for the reference year 2020.
'- Supporting services to organic agriculture and aquaculture are not included because of trouble in identifying the services - Rehabilitation of mining sites are not included as it is not identified - Maintenance, repair and installation services of environmental products are not included as it is not identified. - Some products/activities in the construction industry (NACE F) has not been identified (energy efficient buildings and refurbishment has been included in the 2022-reporting). - With the exception of general government expenses on environmental protection and resource management (NACE 84), no other environmental products/activities have been identified in NACE N-S.
From reporting year 2018 environmental goods and services in the services and manufacturing industries are collected using a dedicated survey. Sources for earlier years are no longer used for these industries in order to avoid double counting.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
15.1.3. Comparability - geographical - products not present in Indicative compendium - included
See 15.1
15.2. Comparability - over time
The R&D statistics was revised in 2015 and figures for 2014 are not directly comparable with the following years.
From reporting year 2018 environmental goods and services in the services and manufacturing industries are collected using a dedicated survey. Sources for earlier years are no longer used for these industries in order to avoid double counting.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Se 15.2.2
15.2.2. Comparability - over time detailed
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
EGSS are coherent with EPEA on non-market output as the same source of data are used.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Data between years are compared and checked.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Data from the national accounts are used when available and fit for EGSS.
EGSS are coherent with EPEA on non-market output as the same source of data are used.
15.3.4. Coherence - other statistics
EGSS are coherent and compared with business statistics and other statistics when relevant.
15.4. Coherence - internal
EGSS are built on data from the national accounts and related statistics and have therefore ensured coherence. Data for the manufacturing and service industry uses the EGSS-survey which ensures coherence. This survey ended in 2021 For the reference year 2020.
Coherence is ensured across various EGSS variables (output, GVA, exports, employment) by using the national account as source for all of them where possible.
To compile the EGSS accounts, we use about xx full-time equivalents of work.
The cost and burden are not compareble to other accounts. Other environmental accounts utilises to a large degree already available data, while the EGSS statistics use a sparate data collection in addition.
16.1. Cost and Burden - other accounts
17.1. Data revision - policy
Data are reviced when data sources are revised.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Data is revised when new data or information is available. Data from the EGSS-survey has been revised for the years 2018-2019 when new data for 2020 became available. Figures on LNG has been removed after consultation with Eurostat.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
In the revision of 2019 and 2020 dataset it has been some revision in the data. For 2019, numbers for manufacturing and servicesector was missplaced, this is corrected.
For both years we have new numbers for construction (F) because of new datasource. For reference year 2022 we have no longer data for Manufacturing (C), Contruction (F) and Proffesional and scientific (M) activities. Due to lack of data after ending survey compiling these data.
17.2.2. Status of data
The data is final where not else is specified in the dataset.
18.1. Source data
Please see each subgroup.
18.1.1. Source data - detailed - environmental accounts
EPEA is used for non-market putput.
18.1.2. Source data - detailed - other statistics
National account is used the main datasource. Other datasources is used, but not other statistics directly.
Data from EPEA are used for non-market activities in the government sector/ NACE O.
Production of organic agriculture (CEPA 4, NACE A) and organic aquaculture (CReMA 12, NACE A). This method utilizes the information on all farmers registered as organic producers in the Debio register. Statistics Norway receives information on turnover for all producers of agricultural products and use this to estimate the turnover for the organic producers.
The shares of renewable production in district heating is collected from the statstics on district heating.
18.1.3. Source data - survey
The survey last time send out in 2021. Figures after reference year 2021 are no longer based on survey.
For the manufacturing and services sector (NACE 10-33 and 71.1, 71.2 and 74.9) for all CEPA/CReMA categories, except for R&D, a survey is used.
Figures for output, employment and export has been reported. However, due to the risk of confidentiality, the figures has been marked with the footnote c).
The business register is used when conducting the EGSS-survey.
The survey have been sendt out for the years 2019-2021 and referance years 2018-2020. The respondents are the companies, often the company accountants.
There are a complete ccount of the largest companies above 100 employees and a sampling for the others in each nace category.
18.1.4. Source data - detailed - other macro economic data (trade, VAT etc.)
For R&D (CEPA 8 and CReMA 15, all NACE-categories): R&D statistics from Statistics Norway and NIFU (Nordic Institute for Studies in Innovation, Research and Education). Survey of operating expenditures on R&D by thematic priorities and sector of performance. Statistics Norway is responsible for the industrial sector (frequency=yearly) and NIFU is responsible for the institute and higher education sectors (frequency=every second year).
Untill reporting year 2017 for pellets (CReMA 13A, NACE 16): The numbers for production and exports of pellets is collected from the statistics from NOBIO (Norwegian bioenergy association). From 2018 these figures have been replaced by a dedicated EGSS-survey.
For Construction NACE F CReMA 13B Heat/Energy saving and management we use information from Enova SF to add data on energy efficient buildings and refurbishment. No figures was reported for Contstruction NACE F in 2024 reference year 2022.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Most datasources is on annual frequency. The EGSS survey is used for three consecutive years (2019-2021).
18.3. Data collection
Most data is from shared databases like the national account. Some few data is deleivered upon reqest.
18.4. Data validation
The quality of the data are considers as good when national accounts data are used. The data from the EGSS-survey is also checked against administrative data (annual finacial statements for the businesses and employment statistics).
No standard validations rules have been implemented, but plausibility checks are carried out on the level of the activities.
18.5. Data compilation
Please see 18.5.2 and 18.5.3
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not requested for this metadata collection.
18.5.2. Data compilation - by variable and type of output
Output:
Data on output are compiled using different data sources. The main data sources are the national accounts. The national accounts are used where 100 per cent of either a NACE or CPA can be indentifyed as environmental. The EGSS-survey captures the manufacturing industries and NACE 71 and 74.9. The survey ended in 2021. Other data sources are the R&D statistics, energy statistics, agriculture statistics.
For the EGSS activities that does not use NA data turnover are used as proxy (ex. Engineering services). Since this method is considered sufficient, no further adjustments are made. For R&D, output is estimated using operating expenses in accordance with NA principles.
Non-market output in EGSS follows the same definition as the national accounts.
Output for own final use are only quantifyed for R&D and fuel wool which is a product in the national accounts and therefore included. No ancillary output are identified at this stage.
GVA:
Data on GVA are calculated using data from the national accounts. The main apporach used is to take the share of the environmental output of the total output in the relevant NACE, and apply the same share to the value added.
Export:
The data on exports are compiled using figures from the national accounts for identified environmental CPA products. For 2018-2020, export figures from the EGSS-survey has been reported.
Employment:
A share is calculated by estimating how much the output of an environmental activity consitute in a NACE (3-digit). This share is then used on the employment in the same NACE. For the industries included in the EGSS-survey, figures are compiled using data from the survey.
18.5.3. Data compilation - by NACE
For the brakedown of NACE, we mainly use CPA from the national accounts with some exceptions, for example with engineering services where producers are used to classify by NACE (based on structural business statistics). For other activites the allocation to NACE is done in accordance with national accounts principals.
18.5.4. Data compilation – CReMA 13B memo item
18.6. Adjustment
For the EGSS activities that does not use NA data turnover are used as proxy (ex. Engineering services). Since this method is considered sufficient, no further adjustments are made. For R&D, output is estimated using operating expenses in accordance with NA principles.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not requested for this metadata collection.
For the 2024 reporting, reference year 2022, we have reported on a more aggregated level and on fewer variables. This is mainly due to lack of datasources.
For R&D in NACE E, we only hav information on the aggregated level, not on the detailed level E36-E39.
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 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.
National data
The reference period for EGSS data is the calendar year. Reported on 2024: 2022.
A high level of accuracy is ensured through good quality in the basis data serving EGSS and through following guidelines for the compilation of EGSS.
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).
Please see 18.5.2 and 18.5.3
Please see each subgroup.
Not yet published or decided.
Figures for output and exports are calculated after the national accounts are finalized, 20 months after the reference period.
There are not reported figures for most of the Manufacturing (C), Contruction (F) and Professional and scientific (M) activities for the reference year 2022, reported in 2024. This is due to missing datasources. The Norwegian EGSS Survey that collected most of this data has ended. The survey was last time sended out in 2021 for the reference year 2020.
'- Supporting services to organic agriculture and aquaculture are not included because of trouble in identifying the services - Rehabilitation of mining sites are not included as it is not identified - Maintenance, repair and installation services of environmental products are not included as it is not identified. - Some products/activities in the construction industry (NACE F) has not been identified (energy efficient buildings and refurbishment has been included in the 2022-reporting). - With the exception of general government expenses on environmental protection and resource management (NACE 84), no other environmental products/activities have been identified in NACE N-S.
From reporting year 2018 environmental goods and services in the services and manufacturing industries are collected using a dedicated survey. Sources for earlier years are no longer used for these industries in order to avoid double counting.
The R&D statistics was revised in 2015 and figures for 2014 are not directly comparable with the following years.
From reporting year 2018 environmental goods and services in the services and manufacturing industries are collected using a dedicated survey. Sources for earlier years are no longer used for these industries in order to avoid double counting.
