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.
Business Statistics, Division of Science, Technology and Culture
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Sankt Kjelds Plads 11, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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
15 April 2024
2.2. Metadata last posted
15 April 2024
2.3. Metadata last update
19 February 2026
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.
In addition, the data contain information on investments for climate change mitigation (CCM). Those investments aim at reducing the emission of greenhouse gases either by source or enhancing the removal from the atmosphere.
EGSS and CCM data are compiled following the statistical concepts and definitions set out in the UN System of Environmental-Economic Accounting 2012 – Central Framework and in the technical guidance notes provided by Eurostat.
3.2. Classification system
Data are reported cross-classified by 1) the type of environmental purpose and 2) economic activity. The environmental activities are classified by purpose according to the classification of environmental purposes (CEP). 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').
The EGSS statistics in Denmark covers the following NACE-groups:
A Agriculture, forestry and fishing.
C Manufacturing.
D Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply.
E Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities.
F Construction.
M Professional, scientific and technical activities - selected types of industry.
The results published in Denmark is only the marketed production. The results submitted to Eurostat included non-marketed activities, including activities in the public sector.
For types of industries with empty cells in the Eurostat questionnaries it is considered that EGGS is non-existing or at a neglible level.
CCM investments comprise a sub-sector of the EGSS as well as activities and products beyond the scope of the CEP.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Environmental Goods and Service Sector:
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:
reduce environmental pressures arising from their production process or
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
Investments for climate change mitigation:
The reporting covers the capital expenditure to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) by source or enhance their removal from the atmosphere by sinks.
Capital expenditure includes:
For activities and products covered by the CEP:
Gross fixed capital formation (GFCF – ESA 2010 code: P51g) for climate change mitigation related characteristic activities (i.e. GFCF for the production of specific services related to climate change mitigation)
GFCF in specific and cleaner and resource efficient goods related to climate change mitigation, unless they are already included in GFCF by CCM (characteristic) activities
and final consumption (ESA 2010 code: P3) in specific and cleaner and resource efficient goods related to climate change mitigation.
For activities and products relevant for CCM but outside the scope of CEP:
GFCF for the production of nuclear energy and for R&D related to nuclear energy
GFCF for the transmission and distribution of energy, in particular electricity
GFCF for the production of low carbon transport activities
GFCF in transport infrastructure for low carbon transport activities.
GFCF for climate change mitigation characteristic activities is broken down by corporations, government and households together with non-profit institutions serving households (NPISH)
GFCF for specific and cleaner and resource efficient goods, mitigating climate change, is broken down by corporations, government and households together with NPISH
Final consumption of specific and cleaner and resource efficient goods, mitigating climate change, is broken down by government and households together with NPISH.
3.5. Statistical unit
The core units in the data collection and dissemination is the legal business units, grouped by type of industry. In few cases the economic unit is used. All units are in principle covered, independent of economic size. For general government, households and NPISH, 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.
In Denmark this includes business units in agriculture, manufacturing, energy supply, sewage and waste, construction and professional/scientific areas. Furthermore, public sector actvities in relation to the environmental purposes are covered.
3.7. Reference area
Denmark
3.8. Coverage - Time
From 2012
3.9. Base period
Not relevant
Turnover, exports, CCM investments and value added is shown in million DKK (and in million EURO in Eurostat), current prices. Employment is shown in annual work units, AWU/FTE.
Calender year
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Data used in the statistics is partly existing data, partly data collected specifically for this statistics. These data are collected by Statistics Denmark according to the Law on Statistics Denmark, section 8.
The EGSS-statistic, the CCM investments and five other statistics (modules) are framed by regulation 691/2011. Furthermore, implementing regulation 2015/2174 and 2022/125 are in force.
The regulation decides that first data on EGSS had to be submitted to Eurostat by the end of 2017 with 2015 as the first reference year, but 2014-results are obligatory as well. The early compilation in Denmark (from 2012) was partly due to a wish from governmental agencies to get information earlier than stipulated by the regulation.
By implementing regulation 2022/125 totals (and not only marked production) is mandatory results. These are included from 2018.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
No data sharing with other institutions. However helpful information has been provided
Statistics are always published at 8:00 a.m. at the day announced in the release calendar. No one outside of Statistics Denmark can access the statistics before they are published.
Annually.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
News releases are produced once a year - in Danish only.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Publications has been produced in 2015 (in Danish):
Access to Micro-data from the survey part 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023 is possible via the Research Service Unit in Statistics Denmark.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
None.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not requested for this metadata collection.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Eurostats manual on environmental goods and services: Manual.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not compiled.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Results from the quality evaluation of products and selected processes are available in detail for each statistics and in summary reports for the Working Group on Quality in Statistics Denmark.
11.1. Quality assurance
Statistics Denmark follows the principles in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and uses the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF) for the implementation of the principles. This involves continuous decentralized and central control of products and processes based on documentation following international standards. The central quality assurance function reports to the Working Group on Quality. Reports include suggestions for improvement that are assessed, decided and subsequently implemented.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
There are several potential sources of errors, which are considered to induce uncertainty to the results for environmental goods and service. In particular, this is due to the level of clarity of definitions on EGSS and measuring problems. This size of these problem has been reduced by very intensive validation of data.
In particular services in EGSS can be difficult to estimate, as EGSS services often is a part of a comprehensive process. Isolation of buildings is most often part of repair or construction and the time spend on the particular EGSS-activities is not easy to estimate. Further, advisory service also contains elements of EGSS, but difficult to distinguish between EGSS and non-EGSS.
EGSS-data from existing statistical sources is considered to be of good quality. Is is not possible to access the quality of the estimated figures (2017, 2019 and 2023) for the construction sector, but the single components in the model has been evaluated carefully.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Information about business activities related to environmental and resource purposes is highly requested, in order to show the importance for the business sector in this field. Statistics on environmental goods and services (EGSS) has the aim to provide such information and was established in cooperation with governmental agencies in these fields.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not yet measured.
The members of relevant fora for dialogue about the statistics has been informed and involved.
12.3. Completeness
The dissemination for 2012 to 2014 got further than requested in the EU-regulation due to domestic interests. Since then almost only mandatory requirements in the regulation has been met. The dataset are complete in all dimensions.
Only results for market-based activities are included in the results published in DK. For results submitted to Eurostat also total results are submitted, including non-market activities.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not requested for this metadata collection.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Compared to total turnover for EGSS, the error is expected to be plus/minus 10-15 billion DKK (related to a level for output at 300 billion DKK). The main part of the total error are considered to be due to measurement errors.
For value added, employment and export, the errors are of at least same size, relatively, as data are linked.
There is no knowledge if the results are over- or underestimating the "true" value.
Regarding the CCM-investments, the accuracy of individual investment figures varies due to differences in the underlying data sources.
13.2. Sampling error
EGSS: The variance (CV) on the total estimate for turnover of EGSS in the surveyed types of industries is calculated to be about 2 per cent. Its correspond to an error on 3 billion DKK, as the turnover in the subpopulation is approximately 180 billion DKK.
For the single types of industries the error is higher, relatively. The typical variation is about 10 per cent. On smaller units (less than 50 employees) the error is about 10 per cent. For larger holdings about 1,5 per cent.
CCM investments: Not relevant as no survey data is used.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not requested for this metadata collection.
13.3. Non-sampling error
The main errors from other reasons/sources than sample survey is measurement errors. It is difficult exactly to assess if a good or service is part of EGSS or not.
With respect to other variables than turnover, the assumption is, that an EGSS share of turnover also reflects the EGSS share of export, value added and employment. Furthermore, it is assumed that 2013-data also could be used for 2012 and 2014 compilation - 2015 data for 2016 compilation, 2017-data for 2018-compilation, 2019-data for 2020-compilation and 2021-data for 2022-compilation.
The results for export is expected to underestimate the real level, due to problems to connect data on production and export. It is assessed, that the underestimation is less than 10 per cent.
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
Results are published in DK October or November after end of reference year
Provisional results for 2019 were published November 19, 2020, together with consolidated data on 2018.
Provisional results for 2020 were published November 15, 2021, together with consolidated data on 2019.
Provisional results for 2021 were published November 9, 2022, together with consolidated data on 2020.
Provisional results for 2022 were published November 16, 2023, together with consolidated data on 2021.
Provisional results for 2023 were published November 22, 2023, together with consolidated data on 2022.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
First results are publiced in DK 11 months after end of reference years
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Final results are published in DK 1 year and 11 months after end of reference years.
14.2. Punctuality
The reporting deadline for EGSS and CCM investments to Eurostat is 31 October.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
The reporting deadline for EGSS and CCM investments to Eurostat is 31 October.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The statistics are in line with the Eurostat guidelines. Different methods by country may have impact on the comparability.
No products excluded deliberately - however not possible to know exactly what is reported in the survey.
15.1.3. Comparability - geographical - products not present in Indicative compendium - included
Caused by the character of the survey, additional products cannot be clearly identified.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The EGSS statistics for 2012, 2013 and 2014 are directly comparable. Regarding 2015 -2022 , the higher values (compared to 2012-14) for construction and knowledge based service is partly due to improved questionnaire.
A new time series based on CEP-classification covering the years 2021-2023 i directly comparable.
It is expected that CCM-investment data will undergo further developments in the future and revisions can be expected.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
The EGSS statistics for 2012, 2013 and 2014 is comparable as is the time series 2015-2022 using the CEPA/CReMa-classification. A new time series (201-2023) based on the CEP-classifiation is directly comparable.
15.2.2. Comparability - over time detailed
The EGSS statistics for 2012, 2013 and 2014 is comparable. Regarding 2015 -2022 , the higher values (compared to 2012-14) for construction and knowledge based service is partly due to improved questionnaire. Regarding the purposes, the improved questionnaire meant in particular higher values for waste water management
Enterprises in type of industry NACE 18xxxx was not surveyed until 2015. Data for previous years has not been estimated.
Enterprises in type of industry NACE 31xxxx was not surveyed until survey covering 2021. Data for previous years has not been estimated.
From 2012 to 2017 the totals by industry (except public sector) and by environmental purpose were similar to the marketable production. For 2018 and onwards the total are including non-market activities as required by regulation.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
The EGSS statistics is using similar grouping and classifications as other business statistics. Final results for marketable production will be consistent with The Accounts Statistics. The totals is consistent to National accounts by type of industry.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Only annual results are compiled.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
The EGSS variables are according to the classifications also used in the compiling of National Accounts. The EGSS-results based on concept in Business statistics are to possible extend converted into National Accounts concept.
There is not full coherence with EPEA - due to different statistical production systems. Work is being done in order to minimize the differencies.
15.3.4. Coherence - other statistics
Not requested for this metadata collection.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Data are consistent. However, there have over time been minor changes on which types of industry is surveyed.
Regarding cost for the data providers: They are estimated to DKK 170.000 for 2023. In Statistics Denmark the workload is estimated to be approximately one FTE per year, equivalent to a cost of DKK 750.000.
There have no been recent revision as regards turnover, employment and value added. Provisional results are updated to final figures in the consecutive year for relevant parts
The export results for 2012-2014 has been revised, due to revisions in the source data.
The totals has been revised from 2018-2020 - to comply with the updated regulation.
Revisons for export for Nace D and E done for 2021 and 2022.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Exports was revised regarding 2012-2014. At slightly higher level - up to 4 per cent - was observed.
The addition of non-market production in the business sector meant an increase on about 2 per cent on the totals from 2018.
Not major changes in the overall result in recent years
17.2.2. Status of data
The data for 2022 can overall be considered as final. Updates, in example caused by revisions in source data, may occur
For export there have substantial changes for in particular NACE D and E since first delivery af results for 2021 and 2022.
18.1. Source data
The data collection on EGSS turnover is based on a stratified sample in the relevant types of industries
In the complete statistics also estimates for smaller business units and compiled results from existing sources are used in the compiling.
18.1.1. Source data - detailed - environmental accounts
EGSS: The data collection on EGSS turnover is based on a stratified sample of 2,200 business units out of in total 6,100 units with 10 employees or more in the relevant types of industries
In the complete statistics also estimates for smaller business units and compiled results from existing sources are included.
Both sources are linked to statistical data on employment, value added and export.
CCM investments: Estimates are taken from input-output tables in national accounts, business register data, technology data and estimates from Danish Energi Agency and Ministry of Transport as well as suplemental data from trade associations.
18.1.2. Source data - detailed - other statistics
EGSS: Existing data is used for the following industries: Nace 01, 02, 03, 35, 37, 38+39 (from 2015),41+42+42 (2017-2020) and 72. Construction wass re-included in the survey 2021 by the aim to update the model based estimation
The rough estimate for non-market activity is based om general National Accounts data for the respective industries.
Other statistical sources:
Account statistics for agriculture
Forestry statistics
Fishery statistics
Energy statistics
Account statistics, non-agricultural industries
Enterprise statistics
Employment statistics
External trade statistics
National account statistics
Sale and purchase, enterprises
Business register
Construction statistics
Public sector environmental statistics
CCM-investments:
CEP 01: Electric vehicle investments are estimated by using the input-output tables from our national accounts. Charging infrastructure investments are estimated by using a combination of data from the transport ministry and the relevant trade association. Bicycle lane investments are estimated through figures from our database of integrated public accounts (DIOR).
CEP 0201: Investment data on wind turbines and solar panels is estimated by using a combination of register based data on established kWh production according to energy production source coupled with technology data on investment cost per produced kWh from the Danish Energy Agency. The final investments values have then been distributed to the relevant years by a simple distribution key. Data on biogas plant invesment are estimated by analysing yearly reports of biogas plant producers.
CEP 0202: Investment data on energy improvements in buildings is estimated by using investment estimates from the National Accounts coupled with EGGS. Investments in heat pumps is estimated by using using a combination register based data on established kWh production according to energy production source coupled with technology data on investment cost per produced kWh from the Danish Energy Agency. Smaller heatpumps are distributed to households where as larger heat pumps investments are distributed to S13 and corporations by NACE.
CEP 0503: Investments in afforestation is estimated through figures from our database of integrated public accounts (DIOR).
Sum of CEP 0702, CEP 0704, CEP 0706, CEP 0708: Investments in R&D are estimated by using the input-output tables and is currently only applied to R&D investments in NACE D.
18.1.3. Source data - survey
EGSS: A survey by questionnaire, where enterprises are asked about turnover in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021 from EGSS broken down by environmental purposes. About 2.200 units were selected in 2021 as a sample covering a population of about 6.100 business units in the respective types of industry. The selection is by stratified methods.
cent of population. Within manufacturing a pre-selection is carried out according to a list of environmental goods type of goods (CN8). Within advisory service engineer firms are prioritized. In 2013 Enterprises in Nace_rev2 38 and 39 was selected 100 per cent. From 2015 results for this sector is estimated from other statistics.
CCM investments: Not relevant.
18.1.4. Source data - detailed - other macro economic data (trade, VAT etc.)
EGSS: Non-statistical information,e.g. from business associations, is partly used in the compiling model for the Construction sector.
CCM investments: Several sources are used to estimate CCM results, cf. section 18.1.2.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Survey data for EGSS has been collected every second year. Latest regarding 2023. For other years results for EGSS and CCM-investments are compiled by combining newest data collected and other statistics.
18.3. Data collection
The survey for EGGS is web-based, meaning that a web questionnaire has been developed. The questionnaire was from 2015-collection developed into three sections, addressing manufacturing, construction and knowledge based services, respectively. However, the construction sector was not included in the data collection for 2017 and 2019, but covered by model-based estimates.
18.4. Data validation
The validation of collected data are given high priority. This because the not very precise definition on environmental goods and services makes it difficult to formulate very clear questions in the survey.
Overall, 70-80 per cent of the received answers has been subject to validation. Main checks was:
if the answers match information from web site and other sources about the production of the firm in relation to possible EGSS products.
if the answers about activity match with the PRODCOM statistics information.
if the distinction between specific and adapted EGSS has been fully understood.
if the data about turnover match in size with statistics from last years (to check the measurement unit).
if the answers are consistent with answers regarding 2017.
About 2-300 enterprises has been contacted for clarification of data. In many cases the communication has led to an increase in figures related to EGSS, as the definition has not been fully understood in first stage.
The reported data from consulting engineers units has been compared to data collected for the specific statistics on services for this type of industry.
The non-reporting units have been checked for their importance. In few cases imputation based on available information has been the practical solution.
18.5. Data compilation
The consistency of the specific collected data is to the possible extend ensured through the validation.
In general, there has been no imputation needed. The final weighting is expected to adjust for non-response.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not requested for this metadata collection.
18.5.2. Data compilation - by variable and type of output
The market based results are compiled as follows:
2023-compilation: The collected data for 2023 are adjusted by turnover from the final account statistics 2023. Grossing has been done by using the final statistics on enterprises as frame, meaning that original weights has been adjusted. Estimation for small units (below 10 employed) is based on 2023-results adjusted to provisional 2023-account statistcs results for the strata.
2022-compilation: The collected data for 2021 are adjusted by turnover from the final account statistics 2022. Grossing has been done by using the final statistics on enterprises as frame, meaning that original weights has been adjusted. Estimation for small units (below 10 employed) is based on 2021-results adjusted to final 2022-account statistcs results for the strata.
2021-compilation: The collected data for 2021 are adjusted by turnover from the final account statistics 2021. Grossing has been done by using the final statistics on enterprises as frame, meaning that original weights has been adjusted. Estimation for small units (below 10 employed) is based on 2021-results adjusted to provisional 2021-account statistcs results for the strata.
2020-compilation: The collected data for 2019 are adjusted by turnover from the final accounts statistics 2020. Grossing has been done by using the final statistics on enterprises as frame, meaning that original weights has been adjusted. Estimation for small units (below 10 employed) is based on 2019-results adjusted to final 2020-accouunt statistics results for the strata.
2019-compilation: The collected data for 2019 are adjusted by turnover from the final account statistics 2019. Grossing has been done by using the provisional statistics on enterprises as frame, meaning that original weights has been adjusted. Estimation for small units (below 10 employed) is based on 2019-results adjusted to final 2019-account statistics results for the strata.
Compiling for previous years has followed similar procedures resulting in provisional and final results.
Linking survey data to other statistics: The survey data are merged to data on employment and GVA for the individual firm by using the unique business ID. Data for small units has been merged at strata-level.
Value added: Value added is based on Account statistics, by using the green share of turnover as proxy for share of value added.
Employment: Employment is based on Account statistics by using the green share of turnover as proxy for share of employment. For small units the employment are adjusted to try to include the owner under employment.
Export: Export values of goods is based on registers, where production data and export data is merged at enterprise level. However, the merging cannot be perfect as exporting unit are sometimes different from the producing unit, which may induce some noise in the overall picture. The Export in EGSS is calculated by using the green share of turnover by type of industry as proxy for EGSS-share of export in the same industry. For 2022 the export data are provisional and based on preliminary export data. Export values for services is compiled using the same model as for goods.
Total EGGS: The non-market EGSS-activities are estimaed using data from general National Accounts information by type of industry. By adding these element to the marketable production the totals are compiled.
18.5.3. Data compilation - by NACE
Existing statistics used for for EGGS in certain types of industry are listed below. Results are in generel final for 2022 and the previous years.
Agriculture: The results from Farm account statistics on organic holdings has been used for compiling turnover,, value added and employment. Export value is a subselection from Statistical results on external trade with organic product as only primary goods are selected. The activity under agriculture is allocated to the environmental purpose: Protection of soil and water.
Forestry: The results from gross output calculation on primary wood production are used together with information on certified forest National Account statistics to compile turnover, employment and value added from wood production in certified forest. Export value are not compiled as expected to be insignificant .The activity under forestry is allocated to the environmental purpose: Management of forest resources.
Fishery and aquaculture: Turnover, value added and employment is based on data from account statistics on fisheries and aquaculture for organic producers. Export is estimated to 40 per cent of the turnover. As regards the environmental purposes, the results are equally distributed to Protection of soil and water.
Energy Supply: The activities in NACE 35.10.00, 35.21.00 and 35.30.00 includes energy products from renewables. Statistics Denmark compile economic data for the types of activity. From the statistics on energy production (From Danish Energy Agency) the share of renewables can be compiled and used to estimate of share of turnover, value added etc. A share of export of electricity is compiled using the share of renewables in electricity production. The activity relates to environmental purpose Production of energy from renewable sources. The value of the export is based on the domestic prices.
Collection and treatment of waste water: Data for this type of industry is already compiled by Statistics Denmark and can directly be used for EGSS compilation. No export is expected .The activities relates to the purpose Wastewater management.
Collection and treatment of waste: Data for this type of industry is already compiled by Statistics Denmark and are, using adjusted results for 2013 data collection, distributed to six environmental purposes, mainly Treatment of waste. The export values are compiled by taking EGSS-shares of output and take simelar shares of from export statistixs.
Construction. Using statistics covering the construction sector and information on environmental and resource saving activities in construction, the turnover 2017 - 2020 of EGSS in construction has been estimated. Further information on the sources and the compilation can be provided by the contact person. Employment and value added is compiled by combining the EGSS-turnover and the Account statistics. The export values are compiled by taking EGSS-shares of output and take simelar shares of from export statistixs. Previously the construction sector was part of direct data collection for EGSS. In 2021, construction is covered by the survey.
Research and development: By use of the R&D register and the variables Research in energy and Environmental research turnover and employment can be estimated for the EGSS. The value added is estimated based on Account statistics. Export is based on value of export and is the EGSS-share of exports from units in type of industry NACE 72. The estimates build upon several assumptions, which have to be noted when using of data.
Total EGGS: The non-market EGSS-activities are estimaed using data from general National Accounts information by type of industry. By adding these element to the marketable production the totals are compiled.
18.5.4. Data compilation – CReMA 13B memo item
The phenomena of Nearly Zero Energy Buildings are included in the questionarie for the survey. By this a reliable EGSS -share of this activity is covered and recorded as part of Crema 13B. The memo item is not compiled seperately
18.6. Adjustment
Not relevant in this statistics
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not requested for this metadata collection.
No further comments.
The environmental goods and services sector (EGSS) accounts report on an economic sector that generates goods and services produced for environmental protection or the management of natural resources.
Products for environmental protection prevent, reduce and eliminate pollution or any other degradation of the environment. Examples are electric vehicles, catalysts and filters to decrease pollutant emissions, wastewater and waste treatment services, noise insulation works or restoration of degraded habitats.
Products for resource management safeguard the stock of natural resources against depletion. Examples are renewable energy production, energy-efficient and passive buildings, seawater desalinization or rainwater recovery, and materials recovery.
EGSS accounts provide data on output and export of environmental goods and services and on the value added of and employment in the environmental goods and services sector.
In addition, the data contain information on investments for climate change mitigation (CCM). Those investments aim at reducing the emission of greenhouse gases either by source or enhancing the removal from the atmosphere.
EGSS and CCM data are compiled following the statistical concepts and definitions set out in the UN System of Environmental-Economic Accounting 2012 – Central Framework and in the technical guidance notes provided by Eurostat.
19 February 2026
Environmental Goods and Service Sector:
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:
reduce environmental pressures arising from their production process or
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
Investments for climate change mitigation:
The reporting covers the capital expenditure to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) by source or enhance their removal from the atmosphere by sinks.
Capital expenditure includes:
For activities and products covered by the CEP:
Gross fixed capital formation (GFCF – ESA 2010 code: P51g) for climate change mitigation related characteristic activities (i.e. GFCF for the production of specific services related to climate change mitigation)
GFCF in specific and cleaner and resource efficient goods related to climate change mitigation, unless they are already included in GFCF by CCM (characteristic) activities
and final consumption (ESA 2010 code: P3) in specific and cleaner and resource efficient goods related to climate change mitigation.
For activities and products relevant for CCM but outside the scope of CEP:
GFCF for the production of nuclear energy and for R&D related to nuclear energy
GFCF for the transmission and distribution of energy, in particular electricity
GFCF for the production of low carbon transport activities
GFCF in transport infrastructure for low carbon transport activities.
GFCF for climate change mitigation characteristic activities is broken down by corporations, government and households together with non-profit institutions serving households (NPISH)
GFCF for specific and cleaner and resource efficient goods, mitigating climate change, is broken down by corporations, government and households together with NPISH
Final consumption of specific and cleaner and resource efficient goods, mitigating climate change, is broken down by government and households together with NPISH.
The core units in the data collection and dissemination is the legal business units, grouped by type of industry. In few cases the economic unit is used. All units are in principle covered, independent of economic size. For general government, households and NPISH, 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.
In Denmark this includes business units in agriculture, manufacturing, energy supply, sewage and waste, construction and professional/scientific areas. Furthermore, public sector actvities in relation to the environmental purposes are covered.
Denmark
Calender year
Compared to total turnover for EGSS, the error is expected to be plus/minus 10-15 billion DKK (related to a level for output at 300 billion DKK). The main part of the total error are considered to be due to measurement errors.
For value added, employment and export, the errors are of at least same size, relatively, as data are linked.
There is no knowledge if the results are over- or underestimating the "true" value.
Regarding the CCM-investments, the accuracy of individual investment figures varies due to differences in the underlying data sources.
Turnover, exports, CCM investments and value added is shown in million DKK (and in million EURO in Eurostat), current prices. Employment is shown in annual work units, AWU/FTE.
The consistency of the specific collected data is to the possible extend ensured through the validation.
In general, there has been no imputation needed. The final weighting is expected to adjust for non-response.
The data collection on EGSS turnover is based on a stratified sample in the relevant types of industries
In the complete statistics also estimates for smaller business units and compiled results from existing sources are used in the compiling.
Annually.
Results are published in DK October or November after end of reference year
Provisional results for 2019 were published November 19, 2020, together with consolidated data on 2018.
Provisional results for 2020 were published November 15, 2021, together with consolidated data on 2019.
Provisional results for 2021 were published November 9, 2022, together with consolidated data on 2020.
Provisional results for 2022 were published November 16, 2023, together with consolidated data on 2021.
Provisional results for 2023 were published November 22, 2023, together with consolidated data on 2022.
The statistics are in line with the Eurostat guidelines. Different methods by country may have impact on the comparability.
The EGSS statistics for 2012, 2013 and 2014 are directly comparable. Regarding 2015 -2022 , the higher values (compared to 2012-14) for construction and knowledge based service is partly due to improved questionnaire.
A new time series based on CEP-classification covering the years 2021-2023 i directly comparable.
It is expected that CCM-investment data will undergo further developments in the future and revisions can be expected.
