EU ecosystem service handbook, Risk Management Options Appraisal, and Landscape Recovery

In this Month's Newsletter:

• EU Ecosystem Accounts Handbook co-authored by eftec is published by Eurostat 

  • Supporting Member States to implement SEEA Ecosystem Accounting 

• Updates to European Metal’s industry Risk Management Options Analysis   

  • Our ‘Overarching Principles of RMOA’ in the spotlight

• Heaths to Sea landscape recovery natural capital assessment 

  • Communicating the benefits of landscape-scale change for funding

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EU Ecosystem Accounts Handbook

co-authored by eftec is published by Eurostat

Supporting Member States to implement SEEA Ecosystem Accounting

On Friday 24th April Eurostat published the EU Ecosystem Accounts Handbook.

The handbook provides practical guidance for compilers of ecosystem accounts as part of Member States’ national statistics, building on existing EU statistics to operationalise the UN SEEA (United Nations System of Environmental Economic Accounting) in an EU context. It was compiled by a team led by VITO with e-counting, IDEEA group and eftec, and advice from a Taskforce of Member State statisticians.

The handbook covers: 

• Ecosystem extent and condition accounts, and

• Physical supply and use accounts for seven ecosystem services (Crop provision, crop pollination, wood provision, air filtration, and global and local climate regulation services).

These elements align with the Amendment to the EU regulation on environmental accounts (No. 691/2011) that introduces three new mandatory modules: forest accounts, ecosystem accounts, and environmental subsidies to improve data on environmental-economic interactions starting in 2026. 

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Updates to European Metal’s industry Risk Management Options Analysis

 Our ‘Overarching Principles of RMOA’

in the spotlight

This month, eftec's work on updating European Metals’ (formerly Eurometaux) Risk Management Options Analysis (RMOA) guidance was showcased at an Enhesa event, with a presentation delivered by European Metals with support from Apeiron.

European Metals’ industry RMOA (iRMOA) guidance was first developed in 2015 to help metals sector companies assess chemical risks, identify data gaps, and engage constructively in regulatory processes. Now in its 7th update and publicly available on the REACH Metals Gateway.

Our update sets out the methodological foundations for conducting high-quality RMOAs, explaining how they fit within the broader family of socio-economic appraisal tools. It walks practitioners through the full process, from defining objectives and establishing a robust baseline, through to developing assessment criteria, scoring options, and comparing results.

The presentation noted the potential to link RMOA more formally to the One Substance One Assessment (OSOA) initiative, to improve coordination of regulatory actions across EU agencies, increase transparency, and support the development of an EU-wide regulatory work plan.

Our work recommends that the proposed new framework serve as the basis for a full revision of the guidance, developed with input from industry, regulators, and NGOs to ensure practical application and improved uptake.

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Heaths to Sea landscape recovery

natural capital assessment

Communicating the benefits of

landscape-scale change for funding

The Heaths to Sea Landscape Recovery Project will transform 3,945 hectares of the Lower Otter Valley in Devon into a more connected and resilient landscape for nature, while providing food production, carbon sequestration, air quality, timber, and recreational access.

eftec’s natural capital assessment and scenario analysis supported Clinton Devon Estates’ bid to Defra for Landscape Recovery funding. The project is predicted to create £200 million (PV) uplift in ecosystem services over the project duration of 20 years - several times the additional costs, demonstrating a strong return on investment.

Accounting for Landscape Recovery is a rewarding challenge because it brings together complex environmental, economic, and social information into a clear, decision-ready framework. It involves working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders to gather data and insights, making the work relevant and useful for achieving long-term positive impact at the landscape-scale.

Visit our website for more information on how natural capital can inform Landscape Recovery funding.