Natural capital accounting (NCA) for sustainable society
- Submission status
- Open
- Submission deadline
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production.
A global transition is needed towards a future where businesses, government officials and other internal and external stakeholders more accurately measure their reliance on and impact on natural capital. This transition will help to create a more sustainable society. Therefore, it is important to adopt an exhaustive approach considering all economic, social, human and environmental factors involved in the economic growth and social changes. In contrast, none of the city evaluations are looking into the value of human, environmental, and produced capital stocks (Fujii and Managi 2016).
The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) is a framework developed by the United Nations to integrate environmental and economic data measuring the environment and its relationship with the economy (Ji, Managi, and Zhang 2021). The Paris Agreement in 2015 has improved the focus of firms operating in natural capital–rich countries on environmental responsibility. Recent studies shows that the influence of natural capital on corporate environmental responsibility is more prevalent for firms in developing countries and manufacturing industries (GUIZANI et al, 2024).
This Collection is looking for studies that use an assessment approach of nature and how this assessment can help creating sustainable cities. The Collection is also looking for the real effects of natural capital on environmental responsibility and green wealth.
The Collection covers a range of topics that explore how natural resources and ecosystem services are integrated into economic decision making. Here are some major topics that might be included:
1. Theoretical Foundations of Natural Capital Accounting
- Definition and principles of natural capital
- The role of NCA in sustainability and economic policy
- Comparing different accounting frameworks (e.g., SEEA, Inclusive Wealth Index)
2. Methodologies and Approaches
- Biophysical vs. monetary valuation of natural capital
- Ecosystem service valuation techniques (e.g., contingent valuation, hedonic pricing, TEEB framework)
- Data sources and measurement challenges in NCA
3. Policy Applications and Case Studies
- Implementation of NCA in national accounting systems (e.g., UN SEEA framework)
- Government policies and regulations incorporating NCA
- Corporate natural capital accounting and ESG reporting
- Case studies from different countries or regions
4. Natural Capital and Economic Growth
- The relationship between natural capital and GDP
- Decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation
- Green GDP and alternative sustainability indicators
5. Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss
- The role of NCA in climate risk assessment
- Accounting for biodiversity and ecosystem degradation
- Integrating carbon accounting into NCA frameworks
6. Financial Markets and Natural Capital
- Green finance and investment in natural capital
- Role of central banks in integrating natural capital risks
- ESG investing and corporate disclosure of natural capital impacts
7. Technological Innovations and NCA
- Use of remote sensing, AI, and big data in ecosystem accounting
- Blockchain and digital ledgers for natural capital tracking
- Advances in GIS and spatial modeling for natural resource valuation
- Inclusive wealth and sustainability in developing economies
- Others related to NC Accounting and SDGs
