Chapter 1: Overview of Environment

Statistics – Characteristics and Challenges

Workshop on Environment Statistics in support of the implementation of the

Framework for the Development of Environment Statistics (FDES 2013)
(Arusha, Tanzania, 6-10 July 2015)

Environment Statistics Section, United Nations Statistics Division

 Table of Contents
1. Objective of environment statistics
2. Scope of environment statistics
3. Main users of environment statistics
4. Environmental information, data, statistics and indicators
5. Sources of environment statistics
6. Classifications and other groupings relevant to environment statistics
7. Temporal & spatial considerations
8. Geospatial information and environment statistics
9. Institutional dimension of environment statistics
1. Objective of environment statistics

To:
• Improve knowledge of the environment.
• Support evidence-based policy and decisions, and
• Provide information for the general public & specific
user groups about the state of the environment and the
main factors that influence it.
 2. Scope of environment statistics

• Covers biophysical aspects of the environment and those aspects of

the socio-economic system that directly influence and interact with
the environment.
• The scope of environment, social and economic statistics overlap and
it is not easy to draw a fine dividing line between these statistical
areas.
• Social and economic statistics describing processes or activities that have
a direct impact on, or interact directly with, the environment are widely
used in environment statistics and they are within the scope of the FDES.
• Relevant social and economic statistics are required to put
environmental issues in context and to facilitate the integrated
analysis of environmental, social and economic processes.
• The use of consistent definitions and classifications among these fields
helps their integration.
 3. Main users of environment statistics
The type, the level of thematic, spatial and temporal aggregation, and the format
of environment statistics depend on the type of user and the intended purpose of
use.

Users Main Types of Environment Statistics

Policy and Decision Makers Environmental indicators and

more aggregated statistics

General Public (including media and Environmental indicators and

civil society) more aggregated statistics

Analysts, Researchers, and Academia Extensive and detailed environment

statistics
 Products of Environment Statistics

The main products of environment statistics are:

• Detailed descriptive environment statistics series
• Environmental indicators

Both can be:

• Stored in multi-purpose databases
• Disseminated in the form of
• On-line databases
• Publications (i.e. compendia, yearbooks)
• Thematic reports
• Analytical publications (e.g.,state of the environment
reports)
4. Environmental information, data, statistics and
indicators

Examples of quantitative
environmental information

Environmental data

Environment statistics

Environmental indicators

Environmental indices

Environmental-economic
accounts
4. Environmental information, data, statistics and indicators
Environmental information
• Environmental information describes quantitative, qualitative or
geographically referenced facts representing the state of the environment
and its changes.
• Quantitative environmental information
• Consists of data, statistics and indicators and is generally
disseminated through databases, spreadsheets, compendia and
yearbook type products.
• Qualitative environmental information
• Consists of descriptions (e.g. textual, pictorial) of the environment or its
constituent parts that cannot be adequately represented by accurate
quantitative or geographically referenced descriptors.
• Geographically referenced environmental information
• Provides facts on the environment and its components
using digital maps, satellite imagery and other sources
linked to a location or map feature.
4. Environmental information, data, statistics and indicators
Environmental data
• Environmental data are large amounts of
unprocessed observations and
measurements about the environment
(or its components) and related
processes.
• They can be collected or compiled by:
• NSOs, environmental ministries,
sectoral authorities (water, forest,
mining, etc)
• Using different types of sources:
• Statistical surveys (censuses or sample
surveys)
• Administrative records, registers, and
inventories
• Monitoring networks, remote sensing,
scientific research, and field studies.
4. Environmental information, data, statistics and indicators

Environment statistics
• Environment statistics structure, synthesize and aggregate
environmental and other data according to statistical methods,
standards and procedures.
• Environment statistics process environmental data into
meaningful statistics describing the state and trends of the
environment and the main processes affecting it.
• Not all environmental data are used in the production of
environment statistics.
• The FDES provides a framework that identifies environmental data that fall within its
scope
• The FDES contributes to structuring, synthesizing and aggregating the data into statistical
series and indicators
 Environment statistics units compile, collect, validate, describe and
structure environmental data to produce environment statistics series

Validation

Structure
Statistics,
selection &
processing
Statistics
Data & Metadata (Compendia
Microdata (description) & Databases) Indicators

Statistical process: from raw data to statistics and indicators

4. Environmental information, data, statistics and indicators
Environmental indicators
• Environmental indicators:
• are environment statistics that are in need of further processing and
interpretation. Environment statistics are usually too numerous and
detailed to satisfy the needs of policy makers and the general public
• Environmental indicators:
• Synthesize and present complex statistics
• Are measures that summarize, simplify and communicate information
• Define objectives, assess present and future direction with respect to
goals and targets
• Evaluate specific programmes, demonstrate progress, measure changes
in a specific condition or situation over time.
• Determine impact of programmes and conveying messages.
Frameworks such as the DPSIR, or policy frameworks such as the MDGs or
sustainable development indicator frameworks are used for the
identification and structuring of indicators
There are various regional environmental/SD indicator frameworks in place
4. Environmental information, data, statistics and indicators
Environmental indices

• Environmental indices:
• Defined as composite or more complex measures that
combine and synthesize more than one indicator or
statistic that are weighted according to different methods.
• Benefit:
• An index can provide a valuable summary measure for
communicating important messages in a popular way and
thus raising awareness.
• Possible limitation
• May raise questions related to its methodological
soundness, the subjectivity of weighting, the quality of the
underlying statistics and their proper interpretation.
 5. Sources of environment statistics

• Environment statistics synthesize data originating from a wide

range of source types.
• Data used for the production of environment statistics are
compiled by many different collection techniques and
institutions.
• Understanding and knowing pros and cons of each source is
key in environment statistics production.
5. Sources of environment statistics
Types of sources
1. Statistical surveys (i.e., censuses or sample surveys of population,
housing, agriculture, enterprises, households, employment, and
different aspects of environment management)
2. Administrative records of government and non-government
agencies in charge of natural resources as well as other ministries
or authorities
3. Remote sensing and thematic mapping (i.e., satellite imaging of
land use, water bodies or forest cover)
4. Monitoring systems (i.e., field-monitoring stations for water
quality, air pollution or climate)
5. Scientific research and special research projects undertaken to
fulfill national or international demand
5. Sources of environment statistics
Statistical Surveys
(a) Censuses: collection of data from the entire population of interest
(b) Sample Surveys: carried out using a sampling method, in which data are
collected from a representative portion of the population of interest
Environment statistics can be collected from surveys by:
(i) adding environment-related questions (modules) to surveys primarily
intended to collect data on other topics
(ii) using surveys primarily intended to collect environment statistics
When environmental data are collected through environment
statistics surveys, the survey is designed according to its objective of
producing environment statistics.
• Environment statistics surveys are not always feasible or economical with
restricted budgets
• Data can be obtained from other existing (e.g., demographic, social, economic,
sectoral) statistical surveys which have a primary objective different from the
production of environment statistics
5. Sources of environment statistics

Administrative records

Administrative data kept by government agencies and other organizations may be used
for the production of environment statistics
Advantage:
• Cost of collecting such data is significantly less than establishing and
conducting your own survey
• Level of response burden is minimized
• Complete coverage is assured of units under administration

Possible Limitations:
• Differences between administrative and statistical terms and definitions
• Risk of deliberate misreporting
• Data may not be checked or validated for statistical purposes; there may be restrictions
of access to the data
• Coverage of data, though complete for administrative purposes, might not match statistical
requirements
5. Sources of environment statistics
Remote Sensing and Thematic Mapping
Remote sensing is the science of obtaining information about
objects or areas from a distance, typically from aircraft or
satellites.
Remote sensing makes it possible to:
• Collect data on dangerous or inaccessible areas
• Replace costly and slow data collection on the ground,
ensuring in the process that areas or objects are not
disturbed
• Uses: satellite, aircraft, spacecraft, buoy, ship, balloon and
helicopter images
• Result can be: mapped, imaged, tracked and observed
Example:
Remote sensing data can be captured and analyzed to measure
forest cover, compare the impact of natural disasters,
changes in the area of soil erosion, the extension of
pollution, changes in land cover or population estimates of
different animal species.
Remote sensing, combined with sufficient validation using actual measurements
in the field, usually provides high quality data for environment statistics.
5. Sources of environment statistics

Monitoring systems
Typically comprised of field-monitoring stations which are used to describe
the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the environmental media, i.e.
air, water or soil quality; hydrological or meteorological parameters and
characteristics.

Main advantages of these data are that they are:

(i) Usually collected using verifiable scientific methods
(ii) Usually validated
(iii) Often available as time series
(iv) Frequently use modeling to improve data quality

Possible limitations of data from monitoring systems are:

• Field-monitoring stations are usually located in “hot-spot” areas
where there are
(i) high levels of pollution
(ii) highly sensitive areas
(iii) large numbers of the population are affected

Consequently, the measurements will be location-specific and due to the

limitations of their representativeness, they are difficult to aggregate
over space
5. Sources of environment statistics
Scientific Research
Main advantages of using data from scientific research and special
projects are:
(i) these data are usually available for free or for low cost
(ii) they minimize response burden
(iii) they can be used to fill in data gaps
(iv) they are useful for developing coefficients for models

Possible limitations of using these sources include:

(i) they often use terms and definitions that differ from those
used in statistics
(ii) access to microdata may be limited
(iii) metadata may be missing
(iv) often data are available only for case examples
(i.e. limited areas or industries)
(v) often data are available on a one-time basis
6. Classifications and other groupings relevant
to environment statistics
• There is no single overarching, internationally agreed upon environment statistics
classification, such as ISIC. There are co-existing and emerging classifications,
categorizations and groupings for specific subject areas relevant to env. statistics.
• Environment statistics use specific classifications, i.e.: FAO Land Cover
Classification System, UN Classification for Energy and Mineral Resources,
Classification of Environmental Activities (CEA)
• Also, environment statistics uses classifications, categories and groupings, i.e.: the
classification of natural and technological disasters (CRED-EMDAT), the
Classification for Protected Areas and for Threatened Species (UNEP-WCMC and
IUCN), or the source categories for GHGs from IPCC, etc., that were not developed
for statistical purposes.
• Environment statistics also uses economic and social-demographic classifications:
• International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC)
• Central Product Classification (CPC)
• International Classification of Diseases (ICD)
• The use of these classifications facilitates the integration
of environment statistics with economic and social-
demographic statistics.
7. Temporal and spatial considerations
Temporal Considerations

• The use of different time scales, longer or shorter time periods is

necessary for the aggregation of environmental data over time.
• For example air pollution daily… forest cover every 5-years
• Determining the appropriate temporal aggregation and periodicity of
production of environment statistics involves different considerations
depending on the nature of the measured phenomena

Although environmental data are produced primarily at different intervals, if

there are enough data points in each period, environment statistics
based on these data can still be produced at regular intervals.
 Frequency, periodicity, temporal aggregation
Primary data primary production- compilation/ellaboration
collection compilation of ES/indicators
Periodicity of Periodicity of
NSO: Environmental
Primary transfer to Dept of Disemination
Surveys NSO
Production ES periodicity

Yearly Yearly
Disemination
Department compendia,
of databases
Environment
Air Quality
Monitoring Station Statistics /
Daily Indicators
Environmental
Monthly Annual
Ministry

NSO and/or
Environmental
Every 5- Ministry
Remote sensing – years
Forest Cover Every 5-
years
Forest Institute-
Agricultural M.

Monthly
Energy Quarterly
providers Energy
Ministry
7. Temporal and spatial considerations

Temporal Considerations (2)

Example:
• Environmental phenomena are fluid, therefore careful
consideration of the temporal dimension is needed since there can
be e.g. in the case of water resources, ebbs and flows, droughts
and floods, snow and runoffs which all influence measurements.
• Sometimes there may be daily variations and at other times
variations may be seasonal depending on what is being measured.
• Seasonal variations can be seen in the fluctuations in
precipitation, temperature, certain types of fish biomass,
surface water levels, ice cap surface or the incidence of fires.
• In cases of seasonal variations monitoring needs to be focused
more during some months than others.
7. Temporal and spatial considerations

Spatial Considerations

• The occurrence and impacts of environmental phenomena are distributed

through space without regard for political-administrative boundaries.

• Meaningful spatial units for environment statistics are natural units, e.g.:

• Watersheds, ecosystems, eco-zones, landscape or land cover units or

• Management and planning units based on natural units, i.e.: Protected
areas, coastal areas or river basin districts.

• Economic and social statistics are traditionally aggregated according to

administrative units.
• This difference can complicate the collection and analysis of environment
statistics especially when there is a need to combine them with data
originating from social and economic statistics.
• But geo-referenced data would overcome some of the spatial
complications of analysis.
 8. Geospatial information & environment
statistics
• Geospatial information:
• Presents the location and characteristics of different
attributes of the atmosphere, surface and sub-surface.
• Is used to describe, display and analyze data that have
discernible spatial aspects, such as land use, water
resources and natural disasters.
• Allows for the visual display of different statistics in a
map-based layout.
• Benefits:
• Can make it easier for users to work with and
understand the data.
• Allows for a deeper analysis of the relationship
among the phenomena such as population,
environmental quality, and environmental health.
8. Geospatial information and environment statistics
GIS, Remote Sensing, satellite images
• Remote sensing data from satellites are acquired digitally and
communicated for processing and analysis in GIS.
• Digital satellite images can be analyzed in GIS to produce maps of land
cover and land use. When different types of geospatial data are
combined in GIS the data must be transformed so they fit the same
coordinates. (e.g., through combining satellite remote sensing land use
information with aerial photographic data on housing development
growth).
• GIS uses the processing power of a computer, together with geographic
mapping techniques (cartography), to transform data from different
sources onto one projection and one scale so that the data can be
analyzed together.
8. Geospatial information and environment statistics
Geographic information system (GIS)
A GIS is a computer system capable of capturing, storing, analyzing, and
displaying geographically referenced information.
• Geospatial data can be acquired using a variety of technologies i.e.:
• Global Positioning System (GPS) and Remote Sensing satellites.
• The attributes of the collected data can be entered:
• Manually (Land-use information, demographics, landscape features)
• Digitized from a map to a digital format by electronic scanning (land survey
mapping, surface waters)
• The final representation of the data is constructed by superimposing
different layers of information as required by the analytical and/or
policy requirements.
 9. Institutional dimension of env. stats.

• As important as technical capacity when developing environment statistics

at the national level.
• Given the multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting nature of environment
statistics, the production of environmental data and statistics involves
numerous stakeholders, actors and producers.
• Insufficient institutional development, overlapping mandates
and functions, inadequate interagency coordination and other
institutional issues are very common in many countries.
These limitations also exist at international level: multiple partner agencies operate
with different mandates, work programmes, and production timetables.
9. Institutional dimension of environment statistics
Resolving institutional concerns

• Identifying the primary institutional obstacles that impede the

production of environment statistics and developing a strategy
to overcome these is vital for countries keen on developing or
strengthening their environment statistics programmes.
• Key elements pertaining to the institutional dimension that
need to be considered and dealt with simultaneously while
developing environment statistics:
• The legal framework, clear mandate
• Institutional development
• Inter-institutional collaboration
• Institutional cooperation of national, regional and global
bodies
9. Institutional dimension of environment statistics

Legal Framework
Relevant for environment statistics production and includes
statistical, environmental and sectoral legislation such
as for water, energy and agriculture.
Usually:
• National statistical legislation: NSO is the responsible
authority for creating and coordinating the national
statistical system.
• Laws/regulation do not explicitly refer to environment
statistics (relatively new statistical domain). Insufficient
guidelines for statistical coordination among the
relevant statistical parties in the country.
• Responsibility for national environmental information
systems frequently lies with the Environmental
Ministries.
9. Institutional dimension of environment statistics

Legal Framework (2)

Challenges of complex institutional context:

• Overlapping mandates
• Duplication of efforts
• Other coordination difficulties

Nevertheless, since the environment is becoming increasingly

important in the development agenda, NSOs have included the
production of environment statistics in their programmes though
sometimes without clarity on the supporting institutional
arrangements and resources.

It is often difficult to know what the official figures are on a specific

statistic because different agencies are producing the same or
similar statistics.
9. Institutional dimension of environment statistics

Institutional development

• A well defined mandate and a specific unit in charge of

carrying out the production of environment statistics is critical
for the successful organization of a national environment
statistics programme within the official institutions
responsible for the production of statistics.

• This unit requires a regular budget for operations and a

minimum number of trained personnel for the tasks entailed.

It is important for environment statistics units to have a

capacity building programme for their staff along with the
financial resources to carry it out.
9. Institutional dimension of environment statistics

Inter-institutional collaboration

Institutions
and people

• Environment statistics cover several topics for which the

data are being generated by NSOs, specialized agencies,
ministries, provincial and municipal governments and
scientific institutions.
• Inherent to ES: collaboration of these stakeholders, both
at the strategic and technical level.
9. Institutional dimension of environment statistics

Inter-institutional collaboration (2)

• Formalized by inter-agency platforms/committees tasked with
coordinating the production of env. stats.: brings together all
institutions that produce and use environmental data and statistics.
• One of the tasks of the platform is to ensure that common
statistical methodology, protocols and tools are being used to
ensure comparability and statistical soundness. Another relevant
function is to preserve continuity over time, despite significant
turnover of staff in the different partner institutions.
• Depending on the institutional set up, in many developing countries
the coordination role in such platforms lies with the environmental
ministry or equivalent institution.
• The NSO, if tasked with overseeing the national statistical system
and coordinating these platforms, must have adequate authority,
resources or capacities to lead the multi-stakeholder processes.
9. Institutional dimension of environment statistics

Institutional cooperation: national/regional/global

• The institutional challenges common in countries are also faced by
international organizations that are involved in the production of
environmental data and statistics.
• Consider the operational aspects that are conducive to better
coordination and resource utilization among the national, regional and
global levels.
• Understand that all potential partners have different mandates, work
programmes and deadlines to meet.
• Reporting requirements for certain international agreements and
treaties need to be included in national environment statistics
programmes.
Thank you for your attention!

For more information please contact the Environment Statistics Section

at the United Nations Statistics Division:

E-mail: [email protected]

website: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/ENVIRONMENT/