National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa

1.1. What is the purpose of the strategy? .............................................................................................1

1.2. How was the strategy developed? .................................................................................................1

1.3. Who is the strategy for? ................................................................................................................2

1.4. How is this strategy document structured? ...................................................................................3 2. Background ............................................................................................................................................3

2.1. NCA – what is it and what is it not? ...............................................................................................3

2.2. NCA in South Africa .......................................................................................................................4

2.3. Policy and institutional context .....................................................................................................6 3. Vision and principles ...............................................................................................................................9

3.1. Vision ............................................................................................................................................9

3.2. Principles .....................................................................................................................................10 4. Goals and strategic objectives ..............................................................................................................11 GOAL 1. NCA is used for integrated planning, decision-making, monitoring and evaluation across a range of sectors ..................................................................................................................................................15 GOAL 2. NCA offers credible evidence of how nature supports people and the economy .........................17 GOAL 3. An integrated suite of natural capital accounts are produced based on best-available methods .20 GOAL 4. Capacity and data for accounts are well developed and robust ...................................................23 GOAL 5. NCA is well resourced, underpinned by effective and collaborative institutional arrangements..25 5. Implementation mechanisms ................................................................................................................27 6. References ............................................................................................................................................29 7. Appendices ...........................................................................................................................................30 7.1. Appendix A. Record of stakeholder engagement in the development of the strategy .................30

7.2. Appendix B. Statistical Value Chain .............................................................................................34

7.3. Appendix C: List of role players (data providers, account compilers, users of accounts or other) ... ....................................................................................................................................................37 National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA vi Indicative Implementation Plan and Draft Monitoring and Evaluation Framework .......................................49 1. Introduction .....................................................................................................................................49 2. Indicative Implementation Plan .......................................................................................................49 GOAL 1. NCA is used for integrated planning, decision-making, monitoring and evaluation across a range of sectors ..................................................................................................................................................... 51 GOAL 2. NCA offers credible evidence of how nature supports people and the economy ........................ 57 GOAL 3. An integrated suite of natural capital accounts is produced based on best-available methods .. 63 GOAL 4. Capacity and data for accounts are well developed and robust ................................................... 73 GOAL 5. NCA is well resourced, underpinned by effective and collaborative institutional arrangements 79 3. Draft Monitoring and Evaluation Framework ...................................................................................83 National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA vii Abbreviations Acronym Description AfDB African Development Bank AMCEN African Ministerial Conference on the Environment ANCA Advancing Natural Capital Accounting ARC Agricultural Research Council ASB Accounting Standards Board BASA The Banking Association South Africa CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CoGTA Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs CSI Committee for Spatial Information CSIR Council for Scientific and Industrial Research CWRR Centre for Water Resources Research at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) DALRRD Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development DBSA Development Bank of Southern Africa DESTEA Free State Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs DFFE Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment DIRCO Department of International Relations and Cooperation DMRE Department of Mineral Resources and Energy DPME Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation DSI Department of Science and Innovation DWS Department of Water and Sanitation EPCPD Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department EU European Union FDES The Framework for the Development of Environment Statistics GDP Gross domestic product GDARD Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development GDSA Gaborone Declaration on Sustainability in Africa GEF Global Environment Facility GRAP Generally Recognised Accounting Practice GWM&ES Government-wide Monitoring and Evaluation System ICLEI International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives IIF Integrated Indicator Framework INR Institute of Natural Resources KZN KwaZulu-Natal MTEF Medium Term Expenditure Framework MTSF Medium Term Strategic Framework NBF National Biodiversity Framework NBI National Business Initiative NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan NCA Natural capital accounting NCAVES Natural Capital Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services NDP National Development Plan NGI National Geo-spatial Information NGO Non-governmental organisations NSDS National Strategy for Development of Statistics OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development PMU Project Management Unit NPAES National Protected Area Expansion Strategy NPC National Planning Commission NSDF National Spatial Development Framework NSDS National Strategy for the Development of Statistics NT National Treasury National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA viii Acronym Description OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development PMU Project Management Unit SA South Africa SAEON South African Environmental Observation Network SAG Strategic Advisory Group SALGA South African Local Government Association SANBI South African National Biodiversity Institute SANSS South African National Statistical System SANParks South African National Parks SASDI South African Spatial Data Infrastructure SASQAF South African Statistical Quality Assessment Framework SAWS South African Weather Service SDG Sustainable Development Goal SDI Spatial Data Infrastructure SEEA System of Environmental-Economic Accounting SEEA EA System of Environmental-Economic Accounting Ecosystem Accounting SHaSA Strategy for Harmonising Statistics in Africa SNA System of National Accounts SPLUMA Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (Act No. 16 of 2013) Stats SA Statistics South Africa SWPN Strategic Water Partners Network SWSA Strategic Water Source Area TCTA Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority UKZN University of KwaZulu-Natal UN Environment United Nations Environment Programme UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNCS United Nations Commission for Statistics UNSD United Nations Statistics Division WRC Water Research Commission WWF World Wildlife Fund National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 1 1. Introduction This section provides a brief introduction to the National Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) Strategy: A ten-year strategy for advancing NCA in South Africa (hereafter referred to as ‘the National NCA Strategy’).

1.1. What is the purpose of the strategy? Natural capital accounts for South Africa (SA) to date have been produced on an ad hoc basis, and most often through donor-funded projects. If we are to build and strengthen the statistical and institutional mechanisms, systems and production processes required to consistently and regularly produce natural capital accounts, an integrated and more holistic approach is needed to advance NCA in South Africa. The purpose of the strategy is to respond to the need to focus the efforts of Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) and other institutions engaged in NCA on developing priority natural capital accounts and effective statistical systems and institutional mechanisms to inform South Africa’s sustainable development policy objectives. This was the recommendation of the Assessment report towards the development of a national strategy for advancing environmental-economic and ecosystem accounting in South Africa (SANBI & Stats SA 2018). The National NCA Strategy is intended to support: 1. Coordination of an integrated body of NCA work in SA; 2. Development of statistics from natural capital accounts within and outside of the national statistical office through agreed standards, delivering reliable and comparable results that can also be integrated with socio-economic statistics; 3. Derivation and use of relevant indicators for statistical purposes from NCA in measurement of national indicators in South Africa (as called for in the National Development Plan (NDP), Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), and continental and international sustainable development agendas), such as those contained in the Stats SA integrated indicator framework (IIF); and 4. Collaboration between institutions in such a way as to strengthen investment and commitment to the production of natural capital accounts that provide credible and useful evidence for integrated planning, monitoring and decision-making. It has a 10-year time frame with a 5-year review. The focus is on national-level natural capital accounts, but is not exclusively so.

1.2. How was the strategy developed? The National NCA Strategy has evolved over the course of the past two years and has been informed by: 1. The completion of an Assessment report towards the development of a national strategy for advancing environmental-economic and ecosystem accounting in South Africa (SANBI & Stats SA 2018); 2. Stakeholder engagement through: the National NCA Stakeholder Workshop in March 2018, the National NCA Forum in June 2019, and the National NCA Strategy Stakeholder Workshop in November 2020; 3. Numerous tri- and multi-lateral engagements (listed in Appendix A); 4. The advice of the NCA Strategic Advisory Group (SAG); and National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 2 5. Guidance from a Project Reference Group (PRG) for the NCA and Valuation of Ecosystem Services (NCAVES) Project.1 The development of the document was led by the NCA Project Management Unit (PMU) in Stats SA and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

1.3. Who is the strategy for? NCA is inherently multi-disciplinary, requiring expertise, data and information from various organisations, and NCA information is or could be used by a wide range of organisations. It discourages the traditional “silo approach” to the development of statistics and requires that different organisations collaborate to produce statistics beyond their respective thematic areas. It is critical for Stats SA as the national statistics office (NSO) to build partnerships with strategic entities in the state, the private sector, in Africa and internationally in implementing this strategy. There is an opportunity for Stats SA to embrace partners as data providers, compilers of accounts or users of information from accounts to drive advancement of NCA and help build distributed and diverse capacity/expertise. There is opportunity for partners to contribute to the advancement of NCA and benefit from Stats SA’s mandate as the:  National statistical authority, to inform stakeholders on the economy, society and environment, by, amongst other things: o designating statistics produced by other organs of state as official; and o liaising with other countries and statistical agencies, as well as representing Stats SA and South Africa in statistical activities internationally.  National statistical coordinator, to promote coordination among producers of official and other statistics in order to advance quality, comparability and optimum use of official statistics and to avoid duplication by, amongst other things: • Formulating quality criteria and establishing standards, classifications and procedures; • Providing statistical advice; and • Advancing the quality, consistency, comparability and optimum use of official statistics and avoid unnecessary duplication. Recognising this, the National NCA Strategy is owned and published by Stats SA as the national statistics office (NSO), but it is co-developed with SANBI and guided by the following institutions represented on the NCA SAG (listed in alphabetical order):  Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)  Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME)  Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)  Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS)  National Business Initiative (NBI)  National Treasury (NT)  South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) 1 The Natural Capital Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services (NCAVES) Project is a global project in which South Africa is one of five participating partner countries (Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa). It is funded by the EU, and led globally by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment). The following institutions are represented on the Project Reference Group: the Delegation of the European Union to South Africa, UNSD, UN Environment, and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 3  South African National Parks (SANParks)  Statistics South Africa (Stats SA)  Water Research Commission (WRC). Additionally, at the time of writing the DFFE were in the process of developing a Policy Framework for NCA through a parallel process. The combined interests of both the Policy Framework and the National NCA Strategy are to promote the advancement of NCA in South Africa. The two project teams thus sought alignment between the products, in particular in relation to the vision and principles (explained further in Section 3).

1.4. How is this strategy document structured? The remainder of the National NCA Strategy provides:  A brief background to NCA, its implementation in South Africa, and policy context (Section 2);  The vision and principles for advancing NCA (Section 3);  Goals and strategic objectives towards achieving the vision, and their associated outputs and indicative activities have been drafted (Section 4);  The overarching institutional mechanisms that are envisaged to support implementation of the strategy (Section 5); and  A set of appendices with useful information (Section 7). 2. Background

2.1. NCA – what is it and what is it not? Natural Capital Accounting refers to the systematic, reliable and regular measurement of stocks and flows of natural resources and ecosystems, so that their state as well as the benefits they provide to society can be recognised, understood and integrated into policy, planning and decision‐making. Just as we have a system of national (economic) accounts to measure Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and track the performance of the economy, and the population census to track progress in social outcomes, we also need a system to track the natural environment, including how it’s improving or declining and what that means for people and the economy. NCA is thus an organising framework for environmental information using an accounting approach. It allows a link with the System of National Accounts (SNA) from which we draw indicators such as the GDP. NCA is a broad term that includes accounting for individual environmental assets or resources, both biotic and abiotic (such as water, minerals, energy, timber, fish), as well as accounting for ecosystem assets and ecosystem services. A measurement framework and global standard for NCA, called the System of Environmental- Economic Accounting (SEEA) has been developed by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) through a global expert-driven process. South Africa is using this to develop our natural capital accounts. The SEEA provides NCA with a rigorous, internationally accepted methodology. The SEEA covers a wide range of environmental assets, such as water, energy, fisheries and timber. It also covers ecosystems. Quantifying natural capital and its benefits using the SEEA is always done in physical terms, and may be translated into monetary values in cases where this is useful and appropriate. Regular production of natural capital accounts using the SEEA can provide standardised statistical information (comparable between countries or between administrative units within a country, and over time) that National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 4 is regularly spatially explicit. This information is critical for tracking and reporting on progress towards sustainable development, including goals and targets set out in policies, frameworks and plans at international, continental, national, provincial or local levels. NCA is NOT the same as natural capital assessment or natural capital inventory/audit. Table 1 shows some of the differences between these. NCA can serve as input into assessments and audits that are more analytical studies and may draw on other data sources. NCA, like the SNA, accounts for what has passed and is produced by or with statistical offices. It provides the basis for additional analysis, which is often included in assessments such as forecasting, scenario or trade-off analysis, and that are usually beyond the domain of the statistical offices. Table 1. Differences between natural capital accounting, assessments and inventories/audits Criteria for NC ACCOUNTING NC ASSESSMENT NC INVENTORY / comparison AUDIT Replicability Regular and repeatable Ad hoc studies Ad hoc studies Methodology Agreed definitions, classifications, data Use any data available, Use any data available, sharing agreements, part of regular statistical including information from including information production process natural capital accounts. from natural capital accounts. Driven by Belong to the statistical domain – need Driven by policy demand Driven by project- interpretation to answer particular policy specific needs questions Undertaken NSO in collaboration with line ministries Ministry of environment or Various entities by academia Nature of Official (or semi-official in the case of SEEA Analytical studies Analytical studies statistics EA) statistics Source: Developed by SANBI & Stats SA in consultation with UNSD (2020)

2.2. NCA in South Africa South Africa has a relatively long history of producing natural capital accounts following the SEEA Central Framework, and more recent experience with SEEA Experimental Ecosystem Accounting (EEA). Stats SA has been undertaking NCA for many years, producing accounts for water, energy, fisheries and minerals since as early as 2000 (available from the Stats SA website: www.statssa.gov.za). Stats SA is a key enabler of NCA, with a mandate to promote the use of official statistics in policy development, policy monitoring and evaluation as well as decision-making efforts. Stats SA’s mandate is also to elevate and sustain the elevation of official statistics throughout the organs of state and civil society, and provide a framework for the development of South Africa’s National Strategy for Development of Statistics (NSDS). Stats SA has convened the compilation of South Africa’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reporting and currently maintains a small unit that has produced environmental accounts. Since 2014, Stats SA has been co-leading projects with SANBI on ecosystem accounting as a subset of natural capital accounting. These projects include implementing a country pilot project on ecosystem accounts as part of a global initiative called Advancing Natural Capital Accounting (ANCA)2 (2014– 2015), and the NCAVES Project that began in 2017 scheduled to be completed by June 2020. In 2018, SANBI began the implementation of another project – the Ecological Infrastructure for Water Security (EI4WS) Project – that includes an outcome on developing natural capital accounts to enable 2 In the ANCA Project, South Africa was one of seven pilot countries. The project was led by the UNSD in partnership with UN Environment and the Convention on Biodiversity, with funding from the Government of Norway. In this project, Stats SA and SANBI worked in partnership with the CSIR, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, DWS and DEA (now DFFE). National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 5 policy, planning and decision-making in favour of ecological infrastructure. The EI4WS Project is a five- year project that is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), and executed by SANBI in partnership with others, including DWS, WWF and Stats SA. The accounts that will be developed in the EI4WS Project will be accounts for strategic water source areas (SWSAs), ecological infrastructure asset accounts and water resource accounts at a catchment level in the project’s Greater uMngeni and Berg-Breede demonstration catchments. The WRC has funded research projects related to water accounts over the past several years, including a project on National Water Accounts (in partnership with Stats SA) and two projects on the development of a methodology for compiling catchment-level water resource accounts (in partnership with the Centre for Water Resources Research at the University of KwaZulu-Natal). These projects align well with the natural capital component of the EI4WS project. Foundations that have enabled relatively rapid progress in NCA include years (in some cases decades) of public sector investment in ecosystem, water and land cover data, as well as human capacity, inter- personal relationships and other resources. South Africa has substantial amounts of geospatial and non-geospatial data available to enable the production of accounts. Table 2 provides a list of natural capital accounts that Stats SA has been involved in producing and those that are in production or planned. There is a range of policy applications for accounts, and some examples of relevant policies are included in the table. Recently, there are a growing number and range of initiatives related to NCA that are taking place in the country, not all of which involve Stats SA (see Section 7). Table 2. List of current natural capital accounting work in South Africa that Stats SA has been involved in Account Lead Date of publication Examples of policy links organisation Water accounts Stats SA & 2000, 2002, 2007, National Water Act, NWRS, National Water and WRC 2018 Sanitation Master Plan, NBSAP, SDG targets Energy accounts Stats SA 2002, 2009, 2012, Department of Energy’s Post-2015 National Energy 2014-2017 Efficiency Strategy, Energy Efficiency Targets Mineral accounts Stats SA 2010-2017 Department of Mineral Resources planning Fisheries accounts Stats SA 2010, 2012-2017 Fisheries Management, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Market and Trade Development Strategy KZN land and ecosystem Stats SA & 2015 Provincial SDF, Provincial Protected Area Expansion accounts SANBI in Strategy National river ecosystem ANCA 2015 NWRS, National Water and Sanitation Master Plan, accounts Project NBSAP, Catchment Management Strategies KZN ecosystem service Stats SA & 2020 SDFs, Provincial Growth and Development Strategy, accounts SANBI in municipal planning, NBSAP Land and terrestrial NCA&VES 2020 NDP, NSDF, Sustainable Land Reform, NBSAP, SDGs ecosystem accounts Project and Aichi targets Accounts for protected 2021* NPAES, biodiversity stewardship programmes, areas Biodiversity Finance Plan, NBSAP, SDG targets Land accounts for 2021* Integrated Development Plans, SDFs (for cities and metropolitan their peri-urban and rural hinterlands), NBSAP municipalities Accounts for species: 2021* National Strategy for Plant Conservation, rhinoceros and cycad Convention on International Trade in Endangered plant group Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), managing wildlife trade and poaching, NBSAP, SDG targets National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 6 Account Lead Date of publication Examples of policy links organisation Marine ecosystem 2021/22* Marine Spatial Planning, NPAES, fisheries accounts management, NBSAP, SDG targets Accounts for strategic SANBI >2021* NWRS, National Water and Sanitation Master Plan, water source areas through city-level water management, Catchment EI4WS Management Strategies, NBSAP, Aichi and SDG Project targets Accounts for ecological >2022* NBSAP, National Water and Sanitation Master Plan, infrastructure assets Framework for Investing in Ecological Infrastructure, Natural Resource Management programmes Detailed catchment-level CWRR 2015, 2019, 2021- NWRS, National Water and Sanitation Master Plan, water resource accounts 2022* Catchment Management Strategies Estuary accounts CSIR 2020 Estuary Management Plans, National Water and Sanitation Master Plan Biodiversity tourism Stats SA Unspecified Satellite account for DFFE & Stats Unspecified National Biodiversity Economy Strategy biodiversity economy SA Ocean accounts NMU Under development Source: SANBI & Stats SA 2018 * Intended year of publication.

2.3. Policy and institutional context South Africa has a rich policy context that supports both the use of information from natural capital accounts as evidence for policy and decision-making, and has policies and frameworks that provide for the systems and institutional mechanisms through which the production of accounts would be supported. A more comprehensive review of the policy context is provided in Section 3 of the Assessment Report (SANBI & Stats SA 2018). An important policy entry point for NCA is the Presidency and the DPME evaluation-related policy frameworks that emphasise the importance of data to support evidence-based decision-making. NCA should provide another source of statistical information relevant to the evaluation and consideration of policies and add to the richness of evidence available to policy and decision-makers. Various calls for evidence, including to meet the need for national environmental targets and indicators to support decision- and policy-making, are contained in policies that set the country’s national priorities related to sustainable development, involving the integrated management of environment, society and economy. The management, conservation and sustainable use of South Africa’s natural resource base, including ecosystems and biodiversity assets, are embedded in South Africa’s policy and seen as part of sustainable development. Relevant national policies include, but are not limited to:  National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act No. 107 of 1998, Section 2) Principles, which guide all environmental management decision-making and apply to the actions of all organs of state that may significantly affect the environment.  National Development Plan 2030 (NDP), which requires a set of national indicators for natural resources to inform policy through which specific and increased needs for official statistics are defined. DFFE is playing a lead role in developing national indicators for natural resources. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 7  Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), is government’s strategic plan (latest being 2019–2024) to achieve the vision of the NDP for South Africa to transition to an environmentally sustainable, climate-change resilient, low-carbon economy.  National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), in which Integrating the value of biodiversity into national accounting and reporting systems is a high priority activity (NBSAP Activity 3.6.2).  National Biodiversity Framework (NBF), developed in fulfilment of the requirements of the National Environment Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004), section 38(2), which recommends the development of a National Strategy for Ecosystem Accounting as a step towards the integration of the value of biodiversity into national accounting and reporting systems (NBSAP Activity 3.6.2).  National Biodiversity Economy Strategy (NBES), which provides an implementation framework to achieve economic benefits from the commercialisation of biodiversity, targeting the wildlife and bio-prospecting economies.  National Protected Area Expansion Strategy (NPAES), which sets national-level protected area expansion targets (for ecosystems).  National Framework for Marine Spatial Planning in South Africa, which provides high-level direction for marine spatial planning in South Africa’s ocean space and lays the basis for the development of Marine Spatial Plans.  National Water and Sanitation Master Plan, which sets out a schedule of key and urgent actions needed for the period up to 2030 to create a water sector that can meet national objectives as set out in the NDP and the SDGs.  Spatial development planning policies such as Spatial Development Frameworks (SDFs) and National Spatial Development Frameworks (NSDFs), which need to track changes over time in a spatially explicit manner by evaluating social, economic and environmental implications of decisions.  District Development Model launched in September 2019 by the President, which will have new demands for statistical information.  Climate change-related policies such as the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (NCCAS), Ecosystem-based Adaptation Strategy, and Biodiversity Sector Climate Change Response Strategy (BSCCRS).  Relevant regional or international policies to which South Africa is a signatory include the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Agenda 2063, Gaborone Declaration on Sustainability in Africa (GDSA), and the Paris Agreement.  Policies relevant to the financial sector. The South African government’s policies and frameworks that relate to strengthening national statistics and improving information on sustainable development for evidence-based policy and decision-making provide for the systems and institutional mechanisms to support the production of natural capital accounts. These include:  Evaluation-related policy frameworks that emphasise the importance of data to support evidence-based decision-making, such as the Policy Framework for the Government-wide Monitoring and Evaluation System (GWM&ES). National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 8  National Treasury’s performance information-related policy and frameworks that require the inclusion of financial, economic and environmental sustainability performance information concepts.  Stats SA’s policy and frameworks through which official statistics are coordinated, produced, certified and disseminated, including: o Stats SA’s Strategic Plan (2020/21–2024/25) and Work Programme, which state that ‘to ensure that the statistics produced by South Africa remain on par with international practice… [Stats SA will]… adopt and/or adapt the Global Statistical Geospatial Framework (GSGF), International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC), Revision 4 (ISIC 4) and SEEA prescripts to improve statistical practices.’ o South African National Statistical System (SANSS) o National Strategy for Development of Statistics (NSDS) o South African Statistical Quality Assessment Framework (SASQAF) o The Integrated Indicator Framework (IIF) o The Framework for the Development of Environment Statistics (FDES), which provides guidance on a core set of environmental indicators proven to be beneficial to inform policy and used to organise statistical publications and integrate themes of indicators into SEEA accounts. o Statistics is governed at the global level by the United Nations Commission for Statistics (UNCS) and the Special Data Dissemination Standard, and at a continental level by the African Charter on Statistics, through which fundamental global and continental principles safeguard official statistics and guide national statistics offices.  Policy on spatial data infrastructure administered by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) that is important to the compilation of ecosystem accounts in particular, such as South African Spatial Data Infrastructure (SASDI). Stats SA’s mandate to coordinate the development of statistics, as laid out in the Statistics Act (Act No. 6 of 1999), underpins its role in “assisting organs of state, business, other organisations or the public in planning, monitoring or assessment of policies, decision-making or other actions”. Stats SA coordinates the compilation of information and statistics for the SDG reporting. Reporting on SDGs requires coordination and integrative work across departments and other entities. Similar coordination would be required in producing natural capital accounts and could build on the institutional mechanisms that have been established for SDG reporting. There are a number of multi-sectoral institutional mechanisms that enable coordination across the breadth of stakeholders involved in NCA, which could play a role in supporting the production and/or uptake of natural capital accounts. They include national and international mechanisms:  National institutional mechanisms focused on implementing policies and plans related to sustainable development such as the National Planning Commission (NPC), the national intergovernmental structures for coordinating environmental management convened by DFFE, and the Interdepartmental Committee on Inland Water Ecosystems convened by DWS.  Multi-sectoral institutional mechanisms focused on strengthening statistical systems to produce reliable statistics and coordinate compilation of information on sustainable development, such as the National Coordinating Committee and Working Group structure to National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 9 address information needs for the SDGs coordinated by Stats SA, and the Committee for Spatial Information (CSI) convened by DALRRD in which Stats SA already has an important role.  Relevant regional platforms such as the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) and UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).  Multi-stakeholder institutional mechanisms that bridge public, non-governmental organisations, civil society and private sectors such as The Natural Capital Coalition, The National Business and Biodiversity Network (NBBN), and Strategic Water Partners Network (SWPN). The collection and compilation of environmental or natural capital data and statistics in South Africa are currently ‘spread’ across many different organisations. Historically, the collection and release of these data and statistics have been done in isolation with limited co-ordination between different role-players. Given the importance of statistics relating to natural capital, the current situation in South Africa is neither desirable, feasible nor sustainable for the future, given the limited financial and human resources available within government. Stats SA has the mandate to influence the nature and quality of data collected by other agencies. It also has convening power and could provide an important co-ordination role towards developing environmental statistics. This is reflected in ownership of the National NCA Strategy by Stats SA. 3. Vision and principles This section provides the collaboratively developed vision and principles for NCA. The vision statement is a summation of many components and concepts, which are briefly described in the section below the vision statement.

3.1. Vision Natural capital accounting (NCA) is widely used to provide credible evidence for integrated planning and decision-making in support of the development needs of the country. Natural capital accounting (NCA): refers to the use of an accounting framework to provide a systematic way to measure and report on stocks and flows of natural capital, analogous to accounts for other forms of capital. It is a broad term that includes accounting for individual environmental assets or resources, both biotic and abiotic (such as water, minerals, energy, timber, fish), as well as accounting for ecosystem assets and ecosystem services. is widely used: refers to NCA as a tool, as well as the information derived from NCA, that is widely used by organs of state, businesses, other organisations or the public to elevate the value of natural assets, and make links between environment and economy well known. to provide credible evidence: referring to improvement and development of natural capital accounts that result in coordinated development of well-accepted, broadly based and nationally and globally consistent statistics and other information, in the same way that information generated through the System of National Accounts is trusted as credible and used for evidence-based decision-making. for integrated planning and decision-making: referring broadly to planning and decision-making informed by good monitoring and evaluation, and to both fiscal and strategic planning. Where integrated refers to coordinated development of social, economic and environmental statistics using agreed standards, and delivering reliable and comparable results and more regular consideration of environmental and integrated information in planning, monitoring and evaluation, and decision- National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 10 making. Such integration is considered integral to decision-making for the transition to a greener (low- carbon) economy. in support of the development needs of the country: referring to information from NCA that broadens our view of social and economic opportunities/options to support the development needs of the country. This includes information that enables consideration of: the contribution of ecosystems to the economy, social wellbeing, jobs and livelihoods; how these can best be managed to ensure continued services such as energy, food supply, water supply, flood control and carbon storage; what the implications are of trade-offs in terms of long-term sustainability and equity; and restructuring of the financial sector to be held more accountable for resource efficiencies, externalities and life cycle impacts of investment decisions.

3.2. Principles The National NCA Strategy is guided by the following principles that natural capital accounting should be: (a) relevant; (b) credible; (c) compiled, reported and documented in a scientific, replicable and transparent manner; (d) based on best available data; (e) comparable and coherent; (f) integrative; (g) disseminated impartially; (h) accessible to all users at the same time; (i) in accordance with appropriate national and international standards and classifications; and (j) sensitive to distribution by gender, disability, region, intergenerational equity and similar socio-economic features. These principles are informed by the Statistics Act (Act No. 6 of 1999), and the NCA Strategic Advisory Group. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 11 4. Goals and strategic objectives This section details the goals and strategic objectives towards realising the Table 3. Summary of goals and strategic objectives of the NCA Strategy NCA vision. The section also sets out the outputs, indicative activities, institutions and resources available for each goal and strategic objective. GOALS Strategic objectives GOAL 1. NCA is used for 1.1. Increased use of natural capital accounts- The National NCA Strategy is developed for the next 10 years, but it is integrated planning, based indicators and information for high- envisaged that it will be reviewed and revised after 5 years. decision-making, level and sectoral policies and planning monitoring and evaluation 1.2. Public discourse stimulated with The strategy identifies five areas of work that will contribute towards across a range of sectors information from NCA achieving the vision. These are structured into five goals listed in GOAL 2. NCA offers 2.1. Statistics and information are drawn Table 3, to which more than one strategic objective is linked. credible evidence of how from natural capital accounts, providing nature supports people evidence of how nature supports people and These goals and strategic objectives were identified through a facilitated and the economy the economy workshop exercise with the NCA Strategic Advisory Group. The exercise 2.2. Documentation of practice, lessons and resulted in the identification of several broad areas of work with a number guidance contribute to NCA knowledge of potential activities or descriptors under each one. These were used to GOAL 3. An integrated 3.1. Regularly compile and publish an develop a strategy map (following a UN guide for strategic planning), which suite of natural capital integrated suite of natural capital accounts is depicted in Figure 1. The strategy map was further verified against inputs accounts is produced 3.2. Standards, prescripts and methods for given by stakeholders during several stakeholder engagements over the based on best-available compiling natural capital accounts are used, past two years (see Appendix A). The strategy map highlights the methods improved and documented interlinkages between the different parts of the strategy and, in essence, GOAL 4. Capacity and data 4.1. Data standards, classifications, depicts the story of change the strategy seeks. Interconnections between for advancing NCA are definitions and sharing are strengthened for goals and strategic objectives are mentioned in the description of the well developed and robust regular compilation of integrated suite of strategy, and the reader can also refer back to the strategy map. accounts

4.2. Capacity and skills for NCA grow In the process of developing the strategy map, four cross-cutting levers of GOAL 5. NCA is well 5.1. Institutional arrangements to advance change were identified. Coordination, collaboration, communication and resourced, underpinned NCA collaboration and coordination are the role of champions from a range of sectors are seen as integral to the by effective and stronger effective implementation of the strategy. collaborative institutional 5.2. National and donor-funded support for arrangements NCA in South Africa have increased Source: Developed by the SANBI & Stats SA, in consultation with stakeholders, for the National NCA Strategy (2021) National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 12 Figure 1. Strategy map illustrating the core areas of work, how they relate to each other, and how they became grouped into five goals Source: Developed by the SANBI & Stats SA, in consultation with stakeholders, for the National NCA Strategy (2021) National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 13 The four key levers of change for advancing NCA are explained in more user needs. Co-creation and collaboration provide new detail: opportunities to harness growing data capabilities and develop beneficial partnerships across private and public sectors. Co-  Leadership to champion the use of NCA as a tool and source of creation and collaboration around accounts, standards, evidence: There is a need to develop a group of NCA champions in classifications and definitions are crucial to developing outputs of relevant institutions (as identified in relation to accounts) who mutual benefit (co-creating value), problem-solving complex have an in-depth knowledge of NCA and who are capable of transdisciplinary issues, and best ensuring relevance to users and sustaining the transformation process in their areas of influence. policy. This is enabled through learning and sharing, building networks and engaging tensions.  Coordinate and manage the change process to effect individual and organisational change: For NCA to be sustainable, there has  Communication between key stakeholders and partners: to be a shift in the individual and organisational arrangements to Effective consultation and communication need to be part of how support the production of accounts-ready data and accounts, both we work, recognizing the social change process involved in an within and outside the national statistics office. Similar shifts will emerging, multi-disciplinary area of work and implementing this also be required to support the use of evidence to make decisions strategy. This will be supported by clarifying context and ideas, and for continuous improvement, innovation and learning. ‘Learn openly engaging tensions, e.g. around terms or concepts, and and share’ must be the way of working, and this is built into the building networks. There are already communities of practice strategy as a whole. So there must be outputs or activities that operating across a range of scales as well as a range of institutional allocate time and attention to this. Additionally, ‘evaluate and mechanisms available across the NCA value chain (SANBI and Stats change’ is also important to achieving the vision. The evaluation of SA 2018) that can support the implementation of the NCA Strategy. implementation and impact of the National NCA Strategy by Stats SA is also built in.  Co-create and collaborate in the improvement and development of natural capital accounts: Historically, the collection and the These levers are depicted in the centre of Figure 2, which represents an release of environmental data and statistics have been done in alternative visual summary of the vision, goals and strategic objectives of isolation with limited co-ordination between different role- the National NCA Strategy. This depiction as a wheel is intentional as there players. Given the importance of statistics relating to natural are indeed several ways of ordering the goals of the strategy. The capital and the reality of limited financial and human resources numbering of the goals should not be understood as order of importance. available within government, collaboration and co-creation are key The strategy can be ‘picked up’ by any wedge of the pie depicted in to improving data, agreeing on the use of standard concepts and Figure 2. definitions, collecting the right variables in line with international requirements, and developing natural capital accounts that meet National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 14 Figure 2. An overview of the NCA Strategy vision, goals and strategic objectives Source: Developed by the SANBI & Stats SA, in consultation with stakeholders, for the National NCA Strategy (2021) National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 15 GOAL 1. NCA is used for integrated planning, decision-making, monitoring and evaluation across a range of sectors Goal 1 is about the uptake and application of information from NCA for various planning, decision-making, monitoring and evaluation processes across a range of In addition to policy hooks, use of NCA is supported through broadening the range sectors. The underlying premise for NCA is that since the environment is important of audiences that see information from natural capital accounts as being valuable to society and the economy, it should be recognised as an asset that must be and relevant, and demanding its integration into planning and decision-making. maintained and managed, and its contributions better integrated into decision- NCA may nurture a common language that can be used across sectors. making. The strategic objectives (SO) under this goal are to see: The compilation of natural capital accounts (Goal 3) using a common framework SO 1.1. Increased use of natural capital accounts-based indicators and information for measuring and tracking over time the contribution of ecosystems and natural for high-level and sectoral policies and planning. resources to social and economic goals – such as water security, food security and SO 1.2. Public discourse stimulated with information from NCA (note the link to SO job creation – will make available more information about natural capital that can 2.1, in which communication products are produced that would be used be used. The interpretation of this information with social and economic data and in this SO). integration into social and economic reporting (Goal 2) will enable recognition of the importance of natural resources by governments, businesses and individuals, This is about uptake and application of the NCA offer (which is developed in Goal revealing the economic and social benefits of investing in natural capital, for 2 based on accounts compiled in Goal 3) and understanding the user’s needs. example through managing, conserving and restoring natural environments. There is a feedback loop with Goals 4 and 5, in that as the value of NCA is demonstrated, a case needs to be made for investing in the data foundations that As highlighted in Stats SA’s Strategic Plan (2020–2025), the need for statistics has underpin accounts, as well as in NCA capacity (human and financial). never been more apparent, with data requests covering a wide range of aspects of the economy, society and environment. The demand for natural capital accounts too has grown with calls for national environmental indicators in the context of a range of different policies. Examples include development policy such as the NDP, reporting on MTSF indicators, SDGs, the District Development Model, NSDF and land-use planning. NCA responds directly to NBSAP Outcome 3.6, which states that biodiversity considerations are integrated into the development and implementation of policy, legislative and other tools. Calls for evidence and indicators that can be supported by NCA also stem from: integrated environment- related policy, such as making the case for investing in ecological infrastructure, natural resource management, environmental management, ecosystem-based adaptation and ecosystem-based approaches to disaster risk reduction; economic policy and initiatives, such as circular economy, the biodiversity economy, and financing a sustainable economy; and fiscal integration of natural capital in planning processes such as the MTSF (which informs the Medium Term Expenditure Framework [MTEF]). National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 16 GOAL 1. NCA is used for integrated planning, decision-making, monitoring and evaluation across a range of sectors SO 1.1. Increased use of natural capital accounts-based indicators and information for SO 1.2. Public discourse stimulated with information from NCA high-level and sectoral policies and planning OUTPUTS INDICATIVE ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS INDICATIVE ACTIVITIES

1.1.1. Strategic  Present indicators from available natural capital accounts at 1.2.1. Communication  Cooperate with communications staff from Stats SA to identify engagement and strategically important meetings (e.g. National Planning and advocacy plan to opportunities to share NCA information dialogue report Commission, MINMEC) create and use  Create standing agenda item on NCA-based indicators and  Organise strategic dialogues opportunities to share information in the annual State of Environment Reporting  Stakeholder and network mapping information from Community of Practice workshops  Present on NCA at regional and international events natural capital  Develop and roll out a communication and advocacy plan for accounts NCA

1.1.2. NCA value  Outreach of existing accounts through engagement with key 1.2.2. Communication  Maintain a list of NCA stakeholders with whom information proposition stakeholders channels for NCA can be regularly shared statements for  Include NCA-based indicators and information in the annual information  Update and maintain website content on NCA public sector updates of the web-based South African environment  Send a bi-annual email to NCA stakeholders with updates on  Develop the NCA value proposition statement for public sector to NCA in South Africa share with national and global audiences  Establish and maintain a social media group to communicate  Explore use of NCA: in National Treasury’s budget transparency with the South African NCA community of practice programme/initiative; to inform policy and planning, including the  Explore ways to include NCA information in interactive and MTSF online dissemination platforms and tools maintained by Stats

1.1.3. NCA value  Outreach of existing accounts through engagement with key SA proposition stakeholders  Give presentations about NCA and natural capital accounts for statement for  Develop the NCA value proposition statement for private sector to more opportunistic outreach in South Africa with a broad private sector share with national and global audiences range of audiences (requires identifying likely audiences,  Explore with private sector stakeholders how NCA can be used by collaborative development of presentations, and storing and the private sector in assessment of risk, opportunities, and financial updating them) exposure, for trade-off or scenario analysis, forecasting and footprint measures, and how private sector can support advancement of NCA

1.1.4. Uptake and  Track use of NCA publications and indicators in the IIF that draw use of NC information from natural capital accounts accounts  Evaluate value created through implementation of NCA synthesis report  Capture stories of change National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 17 GOAL 2. NCA offers credible evidence of how nature supports people and the economy Sound policy decisions matter for everyone. Statistics must provide a firm ‘NCA offer’ might be portrayed in a variety of ways: maps, infographics and other evidence base for these decisions, as well as for decision-making and debate visualisation tools, policy briefs, amongst others. outside government. NCA provides another credible source of statistical information that adds to the richness of evidence available to policy and decision- Information and statistics from accounts are neutral. Analysis and interpretation makers of how nature supports people and the economy. of information and statistics from accounts, with other economic and social information, translate these into evidence3 that has a particular objective in mind. The credibility is supported by the application of an accounting approach to Integrated interpretation of information from natural capital accounts with social organising large quantities of environmental data, and numerically describing and and economic information takes time and consideration. Interpretation is analysing that data in a consistent way to provide insightful and reliable indicators influenced by who does the interpretation, what other data is integrated or or statistics. In other words, translating data from accounts into information and interpreted alongside data from natural capital accounts and so on. indicators that are suitable for assessing sustainability and development concerns Acknowledging this, credibility in relation to the interpretation is important and it ‘at a level that is within the grasp of the nation’s people and global citizens’ (Stats is recommended that representatives of the Technical Working Group involved in SA Strategic Plan). the compilation of the accounts, NCA champions as boundary actors, policy and decision-makers interested in engaging with the detail be involved in the co- The application of an accounting approach to produce accounts is the work creation of insightful interpreted products to provide credible evidence. covered in Goal 3. The work under Goal 2 is about the ‘NCA offer’ that can be used. Users of information stemming from natural capital accounts should be involved Documentation of practice, lessons and guidance will not only contribute to the in co-creating this value offering (i.e. in addition to the role players who are data global knowledge agenda on NCA, but would also contribute to the credibility of providers and/or co-producers of accounts). As highlighted in the Stats SA evidence drawn from accounts. Strategic Plan, the building blocks of co-creation include:  ensuring ‘the application of uniform, acceptable standards and principles The strategic objectives under this goal thus seek to ensure that: which will produce statistics that meet a wide variety of user needs’ SO 2.1. Statistics and information are drawn from natural capital accounts, (addressed in Goal 3); providing evidence of how nature supports people and the economy  appropriate integration of different data sources and statistical systems; and (feedback loop: supports making the case for natural capital accounts).  facilitating proper interpretation of results, particularly when making SO 2.2. Documentation of practice, lessons and guidance contribute to NCA linkages with economic and social statistics and indicators, to provide knowledge. insightful data that can be used as credible evidence for particular purposes (this is a step beyond compiling an account and is addressed here in Goal 2). An example of this is integrating economic and environmental information to give insight into sustainability aspects of our economic behaviour. These insights or the 3 Evidence: being a body of facts or information indicating whether a particular belief or proposition is true; and there being different types of evidence based on different types of information. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 18 Box 1. Indicators derived from accounts that are relevant to policy in SA Using an accounting approach translates data on the present ecological state of rivers into information that can be used as credible evidence of change in river ecosystems that is relevant to SA’s development and water policy. The river ecosystem accounts used data from two national assessments undertaken by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in 1999 and 2011 to develop an overall picture of the health of the country’s rivers. The key headline finding from the river ecosystem accounts was that the ecological condition of South Africa’s rivers declined by 10% between 1999 and 2011 – a period of just over a decade. The accounts provide an Ecosystem Condition Index that summarises detailed information about the state of each river reach in the country’s 8 500 sub-quaternary catchments based on four underlying indicators (water flow, water quality, instream habitat and riparian or stream bank habitat). Although the overall Ecosystem Condition Index for rivers was still around 70% in 2011, the steep decline is a concern, especially if it continues into the future. How have the results influenced policy and decision-making? The finding that the health of rivers has declined has helped to inform the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan developed by Table and graph: Ecological Condition Index (ECI) of South African rivers, 1999 to 2011 DWS, and highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity of freshwater ecosystems as part of the water value chain. The accounts also highlight places where the decline in the health of rivers has been most marked, in order that attention can be focused on them, and solutions can be found to better manage catchments and rivers and in support of development. The largest decline in the health of rivers took place in the Limpopo Water Management Area, where challenges include failing waste water infrastructure and pressure on rivers from intensive agriculture and mining. The smallest decline took place in the Mzimvubu-Tsitsikamma Water Management Area. South Africa’s national river ecosystem accounts have been highlighted as international best practice in a recent review of ecosystem condition accounts (Maes et al. 2020). Lessons learnt from our experience are feeding into global standards for ecosystem accounting through Stats SA and Ecological Condition Index SANBI’s participation in the revision of the UN’s System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA), specifically the component that deals with ecosystem accounting. Using an accounting Overall approach translates data on present ecological state of rivers into information that can be used as credible evidence of change in river ecosystems that is relevant to South Africa’s development and 10% decline in water policy, and can also be used for national reporting on global commitments. For example, ecological DHSWS may use river accounts for reporting on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator condition of 6.6.2A: Change in the condition of water-related ecosystems over time. rivers Using accounts to quantify natural capital and its benefits is always done in biophysical terms, such 1999 - 2011 as the extent of an ecosystem remaining in its natural condition, amount of water produced by a catchment, the volume of fish harvested from the marine environment, and the number of people visiting protected areas. This may, where it is useful and appropriate, be translated into monetary values. Yet as this example illustrates, natural capital accounting does not mean that we have to reduce natural resources and ecosystems to rands and cents. Source: Nel, J.L. & Driver, A. 2015 National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 19 GOAL 2. NCA offers credible evidence of how nature supports people and the economy SO 2.1. Statistics and information are drawn from natural capital accounts, providing evidence of how nature SO 2.2. Documentation of practice, lessons and guidance contribute to supports people and the economy NCA knowledge OUTPUTS INDICATIVE ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS INDICATIVE ACTIVITIES

2.1.1. NCA  Identify tensions and areas requiring clarification 2.2.1. Written  Document results of pilot studies communication  Develop key messages from natural capital accounts, and maintain and promote contributions to  Review and give written contributions/inputs materials their use development of into global, regional or national NCA standards  Produce fact sheets that help to clarify and communicate NCA and its relevance global, regional and and guidelines under development (e.g. the  Develop short messages and content (including photos or graphics) for social national standards SEEA) media and methodology  Participate in testing of SEEA methods where  Produce data stories with key findings possible  Produce localised stories/case studies and popular articles for public audience  Participate in regional and global forums (e.g.

2.1.2. Interpreted  Co-creation of interpreted products for accounts compiled in strategic objective webinars, forums or meetings) related to products from 3.1 development, refinement or improvement of methods and provide presentations on South natural capital  Demonstrate how natural capital accounts link to: major company operations or accounts that Africa’s experience industrial clusters; initiatives to make banks more accountable over time communicate their relevance and content

2.1.3. A set of natural  Identify core set of environmental indicators that will be beneficial to inform policy 2.2.2. Best-practice  Best-practice note on how to apply and resource headline  Identify indicators that will be drawn from accounts to support reporting on note and/or peer- interpret natural capital accounts indicators drawn indicators in the Integrated Indicator Framework (IIF) reviewed literature  Write peer-reviewed papers or articles about from natural capital  Annual publication of headline indicators, disaggregating statistical information to South Africa’s natural capital accounts accounts district level to inform the District Development Model (DDM) where possible

2.1.4. Reports that  Develop integrative reports integrating natural capital accounts with socio- integrate information economic data from more than one  Explore integrated reports of more than one natural capital account account  Explore inclusion of NCA information in Stats SA geo-enabled products National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 20 GOAL 3. An integrated suite of natural capital accounts are produced based on best-available methods The strategic objectives and outputs in this goal will deliver an integrated suite of This goal also seeks the production of accounts based on best available methods. natural capital accounts produced based on best available methods. An integrated As highlighted in the Stats SA Strategic Plan, ensuring the application of uniform, suite is accounts that can be integrated with each other (using comparable acceptable standards and principles in the production of accounts through co- methods and spatial frameworks) and that enable integration with social and creation is important to develop statistics that meet a wide variety of user needs economic information (some integration with economic and social information and to ensure appropriate integration of different data sources and statistical happens in the type of account produced, some happens with analysis and systems. This speaks to improvement and development of natural capital accounts interpretation, i.e. in Goal 2 activities). Integration is enabled by: the application that result in coordinated development of statistics on natural capital, both inside of an internationally accepted system for NCA, such as the SEEA (ensuring and outside of Stats SA. This is important in an emergent area of work such as NCA, comparability between countries, or between administrative units within a and requires allocating time and resources to further develop and document country, and over time); and by the production of spatially explicit accounts (e.g. agreed standards and methods, and deliver reliable accounts. This will involve drawing information from a range of different accounts to create an integrated collaboration and sometimes research, guided by needs/demands and based on suite of accounts for particular reporting areas, such as district municipalities or available resources, institutional arrangements and capacity (feedback loop to reporting areas like Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSAs) that are important to Goals 4 and 5). The accounts compiled provide the foundational base of the robust South Africa’s water security). evidence that underpins the ‘NCA offering’ in Goal 2. There is demand for accounts from a range of policy areas (see Goal 1) as well as The strategic objectives under this goal seek to: interest from the private sector. The first strategic objective in Goal 3 seeks the SO 3.1. Regularly compile and publish an integrated suite of natural capital regular production of existing accounts (which is not ensured at the moment and accounts (where accounts include the tables, spreadsheets, results is reliant on data and capacity addressed in Goal 4), and enlarging the suite of report, and sources and methods documents). accounts compiled (in line with need and where they meet needs for information SO 3.2. Standards, prescripts and methods for compiling natural capital accounts and statistics for integrated planning and decision-making in support of the are used, improved and documented and ensure reliable, regular and development needs of the country). Accounts to be compiled will be guided by a standardised statistics and indicators for natural capital. Technical Working Group (refer to Institutional Mechanisms), explored through Stats SA’s broad process of developing accounts (see Figure 3) in line with the There are a number of outputs in the first strategic objective. The outputs speak statistical value chain (see Appendix B), informed by the SEEA framework of to accounts or sets of accounts related to a particular focus area. Focus areas were accounts, and influenced by what is useful for South Africa (feedback loop to identified through stakeholder-driven prioritisation exercises and informed by Goal 1). government priorities. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 21 Figure 3. Stats SA Environmental Economic Accounting Division broad process for developing natural capital accounts in line with the statistical value chain (see Appendix B) Box 2. District municipality summaries of integrated information Spatial accounting means that information about natural capital can be disaggregated at different spatial scales and integrated with other spatially explicit data (such as demographic data from the population census), for instance at the scale of the district municipality. The map shown here is an example from the Land and Terrestrial Ecosystem Accounts (Stats SA 2020) and shows net percentage change in built-up land cover (tier 1) by district municipality from 1990 to2014. Built-up land showed a net percentage increase in two-thirds of South Africa’s districts. The greatest percentage increases were in the Nkangala district (DC31; 45%) in Mpumalanga and the Sekhukhune district (DC47; 34%) in Limpopo. Six of the ten districts with the largest net decreases in built-up land cover were in KwaZulu-Natal. eThekwini (ETH) was the only metro where a net decrease in built-up land cover was recorded. All districts in the Eastern Cape had a decrease in built-up land cover, with only two metros in the province showing an increase in built-up land. District-level summaries of integrated information could support implementation of the District Development Model. The map shows the net change in built-up land at district municipality level. Source: Statistics South Africa, 2020 National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 22 GOAL 3. An integrated suite of natural capital accounts is produced based on best-available methods SO 3.1. Regularly compile and publish an integrated suite of natural capital accounts SO 3.2. Standards, prescripts and methods for compiling natural capital accounts are used, improved and documented OUTPUTS INDICATIVE ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS INDICATIVE ACTIVITIES

3.1.1. Accounts related to surface and  Indicative activities for the compilation of all 3.2.1. Internationally  Stats SA to adopt the System of Environmental Economic groundwater accounts are informed by the broad process approved/agreed Accounting Ecosystem Accounts

3.1.2. Accounts related to energy of developing accounts (see Figure 3) in line standards, principles and  Promote the adoption of the System of Environmental with the statistical value chain (see recommendations for Economic Accounting Central Framework and Ecosystem

3.1.3. Accounts related to carbon and Appendix B). compiling accounts Accounts greenhouse gas emissions  In most cases there are a number of  Application of other standards, principles and

3.1.4. Accounts related to mineral different types of accounts that can be recommendations as appropriate based on expert advice resources developed in relation to each of the outputs

3.1.5. Accounts related to ecosystems (e.g. asset accounts, flow accounts, 3.2.2. Sources and  Ensure sources and methods reports are completed for all across all realms activity/purpose accounts that explicitly methods for compiling accounts and stored in a repository of sources and identify environmental transactions already accounts methods documents

3.1.6. Land accounts existing in the System of National Accounts,  Investigate estimates of confidence and how to

3.1.7. Accounts related to protection of combined physical and monetary accounts). responsibly address levels of confidence and data natural environment  Accounts to be compiled will be guided by a limitations with implications for interpretation

3.1.8 Accounts related to ecological Technical Working Group (refer to  Develop guidance for producing quality sources and infrastructure Institutional Mechanisms), evaluated methods reports for spatially explicit accounts and against principles of the statistical value promote its use

3.1.9 Accounts for species of special chain, informed by the SEEA framework of concern  Collaborate to test, refine and evolve software to support accounts, and influenced by what is useful compilation of accounts

3.1.10 Accounts related to the for South Africa (feedback loop to Goal 1). biodiversity economy  Some account-specific indicative activities

3.1.11. Ocean accounts are captured in the indicative 3.2.3. Ad hoc technical  To review and guide methodological development of implementation plan. reference groups to guide accounts to ensure their credibility. Convened as needed.

3.1.12. Accounts related to agriculture and food security NCA methods, prescripts and standards

3.1.13. Natural Capital Series  Publish natural capital accounts in the 3.2.4. Official statistics  Explore certification of priority indicators based on natural publications of accounts Natural Capital Series capital accounts as official statistics in terms of SASQAF  Natural capital accounts publications and  Indicators from natural capital accounts are published as associated spreadsheets are available and official statistics accessible  Explore serving of users’ basic demands from natural capital accounts on Stats SA’s online self-service platforms National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 23 GOAL 4. Capacity and data for accounts are well developed and robust Insightful, credible evidence requires statistics that are comparable and relevant, imagery data is needed and requires coordination and investment. There will be and this is inherently tied to the quality of data (inputs into the accounts) and different examples for different accounts or sets of accounts. capacity to prepare the data for accounts, compile them and integrate with other information. This goal therefore speaks broadly to the capability (data, people, Capability to prepare data, compile and analyse accounts includes various types of technology) to compile accounts. It also emphasizes that foundational statistical capacity, including: subsystems are connected based on common production practices, principles, and • Technical capacity to condition data to be ‘accounts-ready’ and compile standards and that building capacity includes formal, non-formal and informal accounts. ways (community and practice). • Capacity to integrate, which requires building a common conceptual base and vocabulary among a varied group of participants (supported by a co- NCA requires the integration of comprehensive geospatially referenced national created lexicon as in Goal 2). (on the whole) data that is comparable over multiple time periods. Location is a • Convening and partnership skills necessary to develop a culture and way link between the economy, society and the environment, which makes spatial of working required to successfully compile natural capital accounts. infrastructure for accounts crucial to an integrated suite of natural capital accounts • Interpretation and analysis capacity (with skills in conceptualising (Goal 3). Stats SA’s Strategic Plan identifies opportunities in integrating statistical effective visualisation tools) also need to be enhanced. and geospatial information, including deriving new relevant metrics and indicators. Primary data for natural capital accounts are held by ministries, state Formal and informal means of building individual capacity are recommended, such council, agencies and other institutions (e.g. universities), and integrating as through: statistical and geospatial information requires collaboration between geospatial • Influencing formal continuing education and/or skills programmes. experts and statisticians. Thus the key role players in this goal may be a slightly • Influencing research initiatives. different suite to those in Goals 1, 2 and 3. • Less formal training workshops to enhance technical capacity. • Community of practice to share learning and build networks. Natural capital accounts do not generally require new data collection, but create additional uses for existing datasets such as national accounts data, environmental Capacity is also strengthened through how we work together, through data and population census data. There is, however, a need for consistent time collaboration and co-creation. Social learning processes to support this are series data produced to a minimum standard, coherence of spatial frameworks important. Maintenance and improvement in capacity and data require and resolution of datasets, and consistent administrative records at local, investment and are best enabled through collaboration and layering of provincial and national level. This speaks to the need for quality assessment and investments. This goal is thus closely linked with Goal 5. There should also be standardisation (including of classification systems), more regular production of positive feedback from increased uptake and demand for accounts. some data, and validation processes. For instance, there is the need for regular release of land cover datasets produced to a minimum standard to be able to The strategic objectives under this goal seek to: produce land accounts, accounts on ecosystem extent and condition. Also, as SO 4.1. Strengthen data standards, classifications, definitions and sharing for regular data production of some of the data (e.g. land cover) becomes automated regular compilation of integrated suite of accounts. and routine, efficiency gains are possible. However, ground-truthing work to verify SO 4.2. Grow capacity and skills for NCA. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 24 GOAL 4. Capacity and data for accounts are well developed and robust SO 4.1. Data standards, classifications, definitions and sharing are strengthened for SO 4.2. Capacity and skills for NCA grow regular compilation of integrated suite of accounts OUTPUTS INDICATIVE ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS INDICATIVE ACTIVITIES

4.1.1. Spatial data  Further develop and maintain the Basic Spatial Unit (BSU) grids 4.2.1. Review  Regularly review the capacity requirements needed to develop natural infrastructure for and primary master layers for South Africa in consultation with of capacity capital accounts NCA is developed the Committee for Spatial Information data sub-committee and requirements  Review and identify the capacity factors (skills, technology and resources) and expanded other stakeholders and that promote and/or inhibit the growth and expansion of accounts  Maintain a geographic information archive of spatial data used availability  Review the technology landscape and requirements (proprietary vs open as primary and secondary ecosystem accounting area source; solutions orientation rather than software dependent)  Develop, maintain and serve supporting material (metadata 4.2.2. Formal,  Organise learning events to increase capacity to produce and interpret and semantics framework) for NCA spatial data infrastructure non-formal accounts (e.g. online webinars, learning exchanges) and informal  Develop NCA capacity building materials for learning events learning  Maintain an online repository of recorded events and materials

4.1.2. Data  Define data format and quality criteria for account-ready data events  Organise courses to develop NCA-related skills such as spatial data standards,  Metadata guidelines, standards, and prescripts representation, visualisation and presentation, raster training (in classifications,  Expand South African Statistical Quality Assessment Framework appropriate software), data science definitions and (SASQAF) to consider spatial and environmental data quality  Knowledge / learning exchange with other countries quality assurance  Influence geospatial information standards and prescriptions 4.2.3 National  Conceptualise programme and content to enhance information sharing, for NCA amended through SDI Regulations and/or SASDI Compliance Guidelines NCA Forum learning and gathering of knowledge to support advancing NCA in SA or developed  Standard for National Ecosystem Classification System  Coordinate programme development, stakeholder liaison, event management and logistics

4.1.3. Data sharing  Identify essential datasets and their minimum requirements for  Consolidate materials before and after event arrangements in priority accounts (refer to Goal 3), and create a data catalogue  Support the Africa NCA Community of Practice place to improve  Collaborate with data producers to produce and continue to synchronisation  Host an Africa NCA Community of Practice Forum produce time series data to support more updated accounts and collaboration  Explore the use and value of alternative data sources to increase data (integration of datasets, combining data from different sources, 4.2.4.  Work with tertiary institutions to influence formal continuing education offering and big data) to fill data gaps for priority accounts Research and and/or skills programmes frequency of  Improve data on condition across all realms innovation  Supplement existing formal education/skills programmes through guest accounts  Land cover dataset is regularly produced at a national level and hub to drive lectures, internship opportunities and the like aligned to the census cycle of Stats SA advancement  Actively engage with tertiary institutions to influence research initiatives  Explore SASQAF-type standards for data modelling, s in NCA and to support advancements in NCA visualisation and analysis options support a  Nurture a high-end skills pipeline for NCA in SA, including bursaries, pipeline of centres of excellence and research chairs expertise  Engage DSI about development of NCA research and innovation hub National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 25 GOAL 5. NCA is well resourced, underpinned by effective and collaborative institutional arrangements Stats SA alone cannot meet the statistical demand in the country. Collaboration Stats SA, as the NSO, is also a very important link or interface with the United and building strategic partnerships with strategic entities in the state, the private Nations Statistical Division (UNSD). Currently the South African National Statistics sector, and internationally are critical to remain relevant and responsive to the System (SANSS) cluster within Stats SA has economic and social subsystems and increasing demand for NCA statistics that are relevant to users, and to building they perform coordination work through the SDG process, as well as part of the distributed and diverse capacity/expertise and enabling access (Stats SA Strategic SANSS. It is the intention of the SANSS cluster to have four statistical subsystems Plan 2020/21–2024/25). Advancing NCA requires Stats SA to embrace partnerships (Economic, Social, Environment and Governance) to underpin the SANSS. The with stakeholders not least because this is an emergent area of work that requires SANSS is about coordinating statistical production so that all disparate users can innovation, but also to maximise available resources in the current resource- move forward as one. SANSS has an important role to play in the coordination of constrained environment. statistics in South Africa. This coordination is equally needed in the environmental sector. Resources requirements for current accounts are a mixture of government funding and donor funding. The initial investment made supports limited continuation of Thus this goal seeks the following: current accounts. Further investment in NCA will be required to maintain and SO 5.1. Institutional arrangements to advance NCA collaboration and coordination expand the production and publication of an integrated suite of natural capital are stronger. accounts. Meeting new user needs and building capacity to produce and interpret SO 5.2. National and donor-funded support for NCA in South Africa has increased. accounts, and recognition of value and relevance of accounts require more collaborative and innovative institutional arrangements. Collaborative institutional arrangements and strategic partnerships that layer investments of available resources over multiple years are required to enhance the sustainable production, and true value offering, of NCA. Arrangements are needed that see users of evidence based on natural capital accounts committing resources to strengthen the foundational data and capacity that underpin accounts that add to the richness of evidence that is available. As many natural capital accounts are still under development and will be explored, a coherent future institutional landscape is still to emerge. This should thus be actively and opportunistically explored and adaptively managed. Institutional arrangements within Stats SA are also important to ensure coordination and production of reliable environmental statistics, and overseeing the work involved in ensuring consistency in terms of environmental concepts, definitions, standards and methodology used in the collection and development of environmental data and environmental statistics for South Africa. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 26 GOAL 5. NCA is well resourced, underpinned by effective and collaborative institutional arrangements SO 5.1. Institutional arrangements to advance NCA collaboration and coordination are SO 5.2. National and donor-funded support for NCA in South Africa has increased stronger OUTPUTS INDICATIVE ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS INDICATIVE ACTIVITIES

5.1.1 NCA Strategic  NCA Strategic Advisory Group guides the implementation of the 5.2.1. Expanded  Active participation in the development of the National Advisory Group National NCA Strategy Environmental- Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) to  Review progress on the implementation of the strategy, give Economic Accounts strengthen environmental subsystem advice on scheduling and priorities for publication, reflect on directorate within Stats  Actively seek to integrate NCA into the revision of Stats SA’s institutional cooperation and coordination, and consider the SA Strategic Plan for 2025/26 to 2029/30 need for additional institutional mechanisms  Environmental-Economic Accounts directorate within Stats SA is expanded

5.1.2. Formal and  Do network analysis annually as a means of identifying emerging 5.2.2. Expanded  Identify officials with technical expertise to undertake NCA- informal strategic partnerships and monitoring institutional involvement capacity in Stats SA related spatial work partnerships  Develop a theory of change to help stakeholders locate Geography Division themselves in the work  Establish formal and informal partnerships with strategic data 5.2.3. Increased  Explore opportunity to allocate government funding to NCA providers, co-producers and users (national and international) to commitment of (e.g. within DPME akin to funding the SDGs) increase stock of data sources and compile accounts national resources to  Identify officials for NCA-related work and realign job  Explore public-private collaborations (national and international) NCA in a range of descriptions to include NCA-related activities to produce and apply accounts departments

5.1.3. Coordination  NCA Coordination Unit coordinates available resources and tracks of the National progress on implementation

5.2.4. Increased donor  Identify funding opportunities in relation to specific priority NCA Strategy  Identify and resource a National NCA Strategy manager to funding in NCA accounts (e.g. Green Climate Fund, linking to build back better oversee the implementation of the strategy stimulus package, GEF 8)  Further develop the National NCA Strategy indicative  Co-develop and submit funding proposals implementation plan with draft monitoring and evaluation  Engage with potential donors around the National NCA framework Strategy and priority accounts that require additional resources to compile National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 27 5. Implementation mechanisms Stats SA Environmental-Economic Accounts directorate will coordinate the implementation and monitoring of this strategy. It will work through the NCA Coordination Unit and with the NCA Strategic Advisory Group to implement and further develop the indicative implementation plan (that distinguishes between a low-road and a high-road funding scenario), and draft a monitoring and evaluation framework (see annexure to the strategy). Institutional mechanisms to support the implementation of the National NCA Strategy are essential to advancing collaboration and coordination. These are described in the table below including their purpose, current institutional participation and the goal to which they are most directly linked. GROUP PURPOSE PARTICIPANTS GOAL NCA Strategic Convened by Stats SA. Meets once or twice a year. Translates the DFFE, DPME, DSI, 5 Advisory strategy and priorities, giving strategic guidance on principles to DWS, NBI, Group guide priorities, scheduling of accounts, strategic engagements, National Treasury, dialogues and events to support and linkages to policies. May make SANBI, SANParks, recommendations that go to the NCA Community of Practice. Stats SA, WRC NCA Coordination of the National NCA Strategy will be supported by the Stats SA, SANBI 5 Coordination NCA Coordination Unit, convened by Stats SA and SANBI with the Unit two contact points being Stats SA Deputy Director: Environmental Economic Accounts, Robert Parry (robertp@statssa.gov.za) and SANBI NCA Project Manager, Aimee Ginsburg (a.ginsburg@sanbi.org.za). Meets 6-12 times a year. Provides the liaison point, including for relevant international agencies such as UNSD and UNEP. Will maintain low-road implementation of the strategy within constraints of available capacity and adaptively manage capacity spread across accounts and working groups. Technical A Technical Working Group will only be established when accounts Participants will 3 Working are being developed, and will meet as regularly as needed (can be depend on the Groups (WG) as regularly as monthly or quarterly). Stats SA could convene the account or set of (specific to an Working Group or delegate this responsibility to another institution accounts under account or set with the required capability. The role would be to give consideration development. of accounts to the NCA value chain for the accounts in question (i.e. consider Participants will be under data and capacity available, types of accounts, desired indicators, technical people development) policies and plans these might inform), promote collaboration and from Stats SA and ensure validation of the results. There will also be a role in drawing other relevant out key findings to support co-creation of interpreted products in organisations, Goal 2. Technical WGs may also be asked to provide including data reports/feedback to the NCA Strategic Advisory Group. providers and A subset of the Technical WG will be responsible for compiling the compilers of accounts and will meet more regularly. accounts. Examples of Technical WGs include for marine ecosystem accounts, or set of ecosystem service accounts or thematic accounts for protected areas, or the Biodiversity Economy Satellite Account. Ad hoc Review and guide NCA methods, prescripts, standards, Experts from any 3 technical recommendations and principles for the community of practice of the role players, reference and/or methodological development of accounts to ensure their including experts groups credibility. Convened as needed. from tertiary institutions, regional and international experts National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 28 NCA as an emerging field of work, methodologies, and application thereof, is still evolving. Additional needs in terms of institutional mechanisms may emerge. These may be raised to and by the NCA Coordination Unit and will be considered and guided by the NCA Strategic Advisory Group. Examples of other institutional mechanisms that could be considered in the future are: • A high-level NCA Steering Committee involving, for example, the Stats SA Statistician-General, DFFE Director-General, SANBI CEO and other high-level individuals as relevant. • Groups around co-creation of interpreted products in Goal 2 for use in Goal 1 that would involve technical experts, NCA champions as boundary actors, policy and decision-makers interested in engaging with the detail to develop insightful, credible evidence (ensuring users of information are partners in co-creating value). Each of the institutional mechanisms may be involved in giving feedback or making contributions to the NCA Community of Practice. Stats SA will convene, with partners, the National NCA Forum as the main platform for the NCA Community of Practice in South Africa to convene, communicate and share. This will focus on updates on national-level work, but will also provide an opportunity to make linkages with regional and global initiatives. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 29 6. References Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) . 2017. Draft Science Policy Interface Brief on Natural Capital Accounting. Unpublished document prepared in March 2017. Department of planning, monitoring and evaluation (DPME) (undated). Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Development Strategy. Nel, J.L. & Driver, A. 2015. National River Ecosystem Accounts for South Africa. Discussion document for Advancing SEEA Experimental Ecosystem Accounting Project, October 2015. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) & Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). 2018. Assessment report towards the development of a national strategy for advancing environmental-economic and ecosystem accounting in South Africa. Developed as part of the Natural Capital Accounting & Valuation of Ecosystem Services Project in South Africa. Compiled by Ginsburg, A., Driver, A., Bouwer, G., Parry, R. & Nel, J.L. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. 85 pp. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). 2020. Natural Capital Series 1: Land and Terrestrial Ecosystem Accounts, 1990 to 2014. Discussion document (D0401.1). Produced in collaboration with the South African National Biodiversity Institute and the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries. Statistics South Africa, Pretoria. United Nations (UN). 2019. The Global Statistical Geospatial Framework. Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Statistics Division. Global Geospatial Information Management Secretariat United Nations. New York, 2019 United Nations (UN). UN Guide for Strategic Planning. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 30 7. Appendices

7.1. Appendix A. Record of stakeholder engagement in the development of the strategy Stakeholder engagement in the development of the National NCA Strategy has taken place through numerous engagements over 3 years, from March 2018 to March 2021. Broad engagements happened through four national-level events: o The National NCA Stakeholder Workshop on 19 March 2018 (71 participants from 30 institutions) o The National NCA Training Workshop (21–22 May 2019) (participants from 14 institutions) o The National NCA Forum (10–11 June 2019) (131 participants from 27 institutions) o The National NCA Strategy Stakeholder Workshop (10–11 November 2020) (50 participants from 19 institutions) The first draft of the National NCA Strategy was developed with guidance from the NCA Strategic Advisory Group (SAG), which involves representatives from (listed in alphabetical order): o Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) o Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) o Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) o Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) o National Business Initiative (NBI) o National Treasury (NT) o South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) o South African National Parks (SANParks) o Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) o Water Research Commission (WRC) NCA Strategic Advisory Group meetings were held: o 11 December 2019 o 11 February 2020 o 22 April 2020 o NCA SAG members participated in the National NCA Strategy Stakeholder Workshop The first draft of the National NCA Strategy was distributed to the full NCA stakeholder distribution list maintained by Stats SA. Comments were received from: o Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) o UKZN Centre for Water Resources Research (CWRR) o National Biodiversity Institute (NBI) o National Treasury (NT) o South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) o Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) o Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) Consideration and integration of these comments as well as inputs from key role players engaged through trilaterals were taken up in the second draft of the National NCA Strategy. Trilateral engagements between Stats SA, SANBI and the following institutions took place: o December 2019: DFFE National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 31 o October 2020: National Treasury o October 2020: DWS o October 2020: DPME Additionally, guidance was received from a Project Reference Group (PRG) for the NCA and Valuation of Ecosystem Services (NCAVES) Project who gave input on the Assessment Report and the National NCA Strategy, and which includes representatives from the following institutions: o The Delegation of the European Union to South Africa o United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) o United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) o Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) A second draft of the National NCA Strategy was distributed in November 2020 to the full NCA stakeholder distribution list maintained by Stats SA, in advance of the National NCA Strategy stakeholder workshop. The workshop was attended by 50 individuals from 19 institutions and was designed specifically around getting direct input on the strategy and the indicative implementation plan. This was well achieved as evidenced by a Mentimeter poll that was taken by 25 participants (see word cloud below). Following the National NCA Strategy stakeholder workshop, another trilateral engagement between DFFE, Stats SA and SANBI was held in March 2021 to specifically review the results chain logic of the strategy. A record of institutional support across these events is summarised in the table below. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 32 Event National NCA National NCA National National NCA Strategy Trilaterals NCA Strategic Stakeholder Training NCA Forum Stakeholder held Advisory Group Workshop Workshop Workshop Date Mar 2018 May 2019 Jun 2019 Nov 2020 Various Three times times TOTAL Institutions 30 14 27 19 10 10 TOTAL Individuals 71 14 131 50 18 Accounting Standards Board Yes Yes Anchor Environmental Consultants Yes Yes Yes Yes Cape Peninsular University of Technology Yes Cashan Environmental Services Yes Centre for Environmental Economics & Policy in Africa Yes Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Yes Yes Yes Yes Development Bank of Southern Africa Yes Dept of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Dept of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Dept of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Yes Yes Dept of Science and Innovation Yes Yes Dept of Water and Sanitation Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Endangered Wildlife Trust/National Business and Biodiversity Network Yes Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department Yes eThekwini Municipality Yes Yes European Union Delegation to South Africa Yes Yes Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Yes Yes Free State Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Yes Gaborone Declaration / Conservation International Yes Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Yes Yes Yes Gauteng City Region Observatory Yes GeoTerraImage Yes Yes IDEEA Group Yes Institute of Natural Resources Yes International Union for Conservation of Nature Yes Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve Yes Mogale's Gate Yes Yes Mpumalanga Parks and Tourism Agency Yes National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 33 Event National NCA National NCA National National NCA Strategy Trilaterals NCA Strategic Stakeholder Training NCA Forum Stakeholder held Advisory Group Workshop Workshop Workshop Date Mar 2018 May 2019 Jun 2019 Nov 2020 Various Three times times National Business Initiative Yes Yes National Capital Finance Alliance / EARTH.INC Yes National Treasury Yes Yes Yes Yes National Planning Commission Yes Nelson Mandela University Yes North West Provincial Government Yes Office the Auditor-General of South Africa Yes Yes Prime Africa Consultants Yes Resilience Environmental Advice Yes South African Earth Observation Network Yes Yes South African Institute of Chartered Accountants Yes South African National Biodiversity Institute Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes South African National Parks Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Statistics South Africa Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority Yes Yes UN Development Programme Yes UN Statistical Division Yes Yes UN Environment Yes Yes Yes Yes University of KwaZulu-Natal, Centre for Water Resources Research Yes Yes Yes University of Pretoria Yes Wageningen Environmental Research Yes Water Research Commission Yes Yes Yes Yes National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 34

7.2. Appendix B. Statistical Value Chain The statistical value chain is described in the SASQAF. Stats SA has adapted what was developed by the Joint UNECE/Eurostat/OECD Work Session on Statistical Metadata (METIS) in 2008. The statistical value chain is the statistical process of developing national statistics and involves a range of statistical operations, which are enabled by various support functions. Table 4. Phases and sub-processes in the statistical value chain, and quality dimensions and indicators that accompany them Statistical value SASQAF quality dimensions and indicators chain # Phase Sub-process Quality indicators 1 This first phase involves all the necessary planning Prerequisites of quality e.g. responsibility for producing statistics is clearly specified, standards and policies are when a need for new statistics is identified, or in place to promote consistency of methods and results, data sharing and coordination among data- feedback about current statistics initiates a review. producing agencies are clearly specified. It determines whether there is a presently unmet Relevance e.g. have both internal and external users of the data been identified? Are user needs and the usage demand, externally and/or internally, for the of statistical information analysed? Need identified statistics and whether the statistical Timeliness e.g. periodicity of release. organisation can produce them. Accessibility e.g. legal arrangements are in place to allow access to administrative records. Methodological soundness e.g. the scope of study is consistent with accepted standards, guidelines and good practices. Integrity e.g. choice of source data, techniques and dissemination decisions are informed solely by statistical considerations. 2 This phase describes the development and design Prerequisites of quality e.g. resources are commensurate with the needs of the statistical programme (staff, activities and any associated practical research work facilities, computing resources, financing). needed to define the statistical outputs, concepts, Accuracy e.g. register/frame maintenance procedures are adequate (updates, quality assurance), data methodologies, collection instruments and collection systems are sufficiently open and flexible to cater. Design operational processes. This occurs in the first Comparability and coherence e.g. data across comparable series or source data are based on common frames, iteration or whenever improvement actions are identifiers, concepts, etc. identified (e.g. in phase 9 [evaluate]). Methodological soundness e.g. concepts, definitions, and classifications or methodologies used follow accepted standards, guidelines or good practices (national, international, peer-aligned). 3 This phase builds and tests the production systems to the point where they are ready to use in the ‘live’ Build environment. This generally occurs in the first iteration. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 35 Statistical value SASQAF quality dimensions and indicators chain # Phase Sub-process Quality indicators 4 This phase collects all necessary data, using different Collect collection modes and loads them into the appropriate data environment. 5 This phase describes the cleaning of data records Comparability and coherence e.g. a common set of identifiers (for the purpose of record matching) exist and and their preparation for analysis. It is made up of have been agreed upon by data producers. sub-processes that check, clean, and transform the Process collected data, and may be repeated several times. Applies to data from both statistical and non- statistical sources. 6 In this phase, statistics are produced, examined in Accuracy e.g. measures of sampling errors for key variables are calculated. Among others these are: standard detail, interpreted, and made ready for error; coefficient of variation (CV); confidence interval; mean square error; design effect, or measures of non- dissemination. Sub-processes and activities include sampling errors are calculated (e.g. frame coverage errors, systematic errors, measurement errors, Analyse those that enable statistical analysts to understand processing or model assumption errors). the statistics produced, and are generic for all Comparability and coherence e.g. statistics are consistent or reconcilable over time, statistics are checked for statistical outputs regardless of how the data were consistency with those obtained through other data sources. sourced. 7 This phase manages the release of the statistical Accuracy e.g. data from the primary source have been quality assessed. products to customers. The sub-processes can occur Timeliness e.g. average time between the end of reference period and the date of the final preliminary results sequentially, in parallel and be interactive. They (and of the final results). include updating output systems, producing Accessibility e.g. are statistical products available to the public? Rules governing the restricted availability of products and quality statements, and managing the administrative records. Types of media and/or channels used for sharing data amongst stakeholders are Disseminate release of products. adequate and preserve confidentiality. Interpretability e.g. documented metadata are sufficient to understand data, statistics are presented in a clear and understandable manner. Methodological soundness e.g. are revisions schedules followed? Studies of revisions made public. Integrity e.g. terms of conditions under which statistics are produced are publicly available and follow UN principles of official statistics. 8 This phase manages the archiving and disposal of statistical data and metadata. This may include Archive disposal of intermediate files from previous iterations. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 36 Statistical value SASQAF quality dimensions and indicators chain # Phase Sub-process Quality indicators 9 This phase manages the evaluation of a specific Prerequisites of quality e.g. measures to oblige response are ensured through law. instance of a statistical business process. It takes Relevance e.g. is there a process to determine the satisfaction of users with the statistical information? place at the end of the instance of the process, but Evaluate relies on inputs gathered across the phases. For statistical outputs that are produced regularly, it should occur with each iteration, assessing the need for improvements and/or future iterations. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 37

7.3. Appendix C: List of role players (data providers, account compilers, users of accounts or other) Includes organisations that are providers of data used in natural capital accounts, and/or organisations that are producers of accounts, users of accounts, and/or (supporters of) interested parties and potential users of accounts. Table 5. Summary of role players involved in strengthening statistical systems and/or producing, using and/or supporting information for sustainable development in South Africa. Users include current and future potential users; ‘Other’ includes roles such as funder, setting standards, doing research, etc. Name Description of role with regard to production or use of NCA Data Compilers of Users Other provider accounts SOUTH AFRICAN ENTITIES Accounting The ASB, overseen by National Treasury, is required by the Public Finance Management Act, Act No No No Potentially Standards Board No. 1 of 1999 (PFMA), to serve the public interest by setting standards of Generally Recognised supporters of (ASB) Accounting Practice (GRAP) (ASB 2014) and providing guidance for financial and other standardised performance information reported by the public sector. The Standards of GRAP that the Board approaches to develops include standards, interpretations and directives. The PFMA also allows the Board to accounts. prepare and publish guidelines concerning these standards. The Board has the following responsibilities: determine the work programme and approve the appointment of members of project groups; approve the standards to be issued as standards of GRAP for the preparation of annual financial statements of all spheres of government; prepare and publish directives, interpretations and guidelines concerning the standards of GRAP; recommend to the Minister of Finance effective dates for the implementation of these standards by different categories of institutions to which these standards apply; perform any other function incidental to advancing financial reporting in the public sector; and issue and publish recommended practices on its own authority, if satisfied as to need, usefulness and practicality, following a process of consultation with stakeholders. Agricultural The ARC conducts research in support of the development of the agricultural sector. In Yes No Yes Research Council collaboration with DAFF and provincial agriculture departments, they have developed AGIS, an (ARC) online, integrated spatial database of selected agricultural, climate, soil and demographic data. The platform could serve as an example of integrated web mapping and as an input to testing the SEEA EA. African The overarching objective of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group is to spur sustainable No No Yes Possible funder Development economic development and social progress in its regional member countries, thus contributing Bank (AfDB) National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 38 Name Description of role with regard to production or use of NCA Data Compilers of Users Other provider accounts to poverty reduction. The AfDB are potential users of accounts and supportive of expansion of accounting on the African continent. The Banking The Banking Association South Africa (BASA) advances the interests of the industry with its Unclear No Possibly Association regulators, legislators and stakeholders, to make banking sustainable, profitable and better able South Africa to contribute to the social and economic development and transformation of the country. (BASA) Would be relevant in relation to application of natural capital accounts by the private sector. Council for The CSIR is a world-class African research and development organisation established through Yes Yes Yes Scientific and an Act of Parliament in 1945. The CSIR undertakes directed, multidisciplinary research and Industrial technological innovation that contributes to the improved quality of life of South Africans. The Research (CSIR) organisation plays a key role in supporting government’s programmes through directed research that is aligned with the country’s priorities, the organisation’s mandate and its science, engineering and technology competencies. The CSIR undertakes advanced spatial analysis and modelling work that is useful in the production of NCA, has advanced spatial analysis and modelling capacity and expertise in national freshwater and estuarine aquatic ecosystem assessment, and was a key partner in the ANCA Project. CSIR could play a key role in supporting the development of accounts going forward, both through links with the Geospatial Analysis Platform (a meso-scale geospatial platform for the assembly, analysis and sharing of strategic geospatial information) and through the Natural Resources and Environment division, which would contribute especially to ecosystem accounting. Department of DALRRD is responsible for equitable access to land, integrated rural development, sustainable Yes Potentially Yes Setting Agriculture, Land agriculture and food security for all. The Department’s mission is to accelerate land reform, (e.g. Spatial standards Reform and Rural catalyse rural development and improve agricultural production to stimulate economic Planning and through CSI Development development and food security through: transformed land ownership patterns; agrarian Land Use (DALRRD) reform; implementation of an effective land administration system; sustainable livelihoods; Management) innovative sustainable agriculture; promotion of access to opportunities for youth, women and other vulnerable groups; and integrated rural development. The Department is responsible for spatial information in South Africa through the Spatial Data Infrastructure Act (Act No. 54 of 2003) and spatial planning and land use management through the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 (SPLUMA). The Director-General of DALRRD administers the SA Spatial Data Infrastructure (SASDI). DALRRD is responsible for cadastral surveying, deeds registration, and land reform. DALRRD are important data providers, coordinating spatial data custodianship, data users and potentially data compilers.. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 39 Name Description of role with regard to production or use of NCA Data Compilers of Users Other provider accounts Note: Prior to June 2019, the agriculture function was incorporated into the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, while the rural development and land reform functions were incorporated into the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR). Department of CoGTA supports a functional and developmental local government system that delivers on its No No Yes Cooperative constitutional and legislative mandates within a system of cooperative governance. It works to Governance and ensure that all municipalities perform their basic responsibilities and functions consistently by, Traditional amongst other things, ensuring sound financial management and accounting. CoGTA Affairs (CoGTA) coordinates the Integrated Urban Development Framework, and manages and transfers the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), which aims to eradicate municipal infrastructure backlogs to poor communities. It supports local economic development and the community work programme. Department of DFFE is mandated to give effect to the right of citizens to an environment that is not harmful to Yes Potentially Yes Forestry, their health or wellbeing, and to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and Fisheries and the future generations. To this end, the department provides leadership in environmental (e.g. in State of Environment management, conservation and protection towards sustainability for the benefit of South the (DFFE) Africans and the global community. DFFE is the National Focal Point for the CBD and UNCCD, Environment and hosts IPBES. Reporting and It is responsible for reporting on and publishing general environmental statistics through a the range of publications, and has developed a Delivery Agreement around the MTSF Outcome 10, Environmental which identifies the partnerships necessary and targets for specific outputs: Outlook, or - Output 1: Enhanced quality and quantity of water resources Environmental - Output 2: Reduced greenhouse gas emissions, climate change impacts and improved Sustainability air/atmospheric quality Indicators.) - Output 3: Sustainable environmental management - Output 4: Protected biodiversity o Sub-output 4.4: Valuing the ecosystem services  4.4.1 Environmental costs related to the provision of resource-based services. DFFE acts as the lead organisation in the development of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development and Action Plan (NSSD1 and NSSD2), the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), and the National Biodiversity Economy Strategies (NBES). It also collaborates with other institutions to produce reports such as a Green Economy Modelling Report (with UN Environment), focussing on the employment-generation potential National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 40 Name Description of role with regard to production or use of NCA Data Compilers of Users Other provider accounts in natural resources management, agriculture, transport and energy sectors. It leads the implementation of BIOFIN, in collaboration with National Treasury, for the UNDP. DFFE is a key partner in terms of providing data and using outputs from testing the SEEA EA. Links to CBD and TEEB will enhance use of SEEA EA in international reporting. SEEA EA would provide an underlying measurement framework and quantitative data to streamline many of their reporting activities. Activities to address Aichi Targets could be linked to SEEA EA testing Programme of Work. The department has proposed a TEEB Country Study for South Africa that would focus on addressing Sub-output 4.4 (as mentioned above) by: collating existing valuation studies, reporting on biodiversity values, identifying valuation research gaps, and conducting additional research on valuation and decision-making in selected landscapes. Department of With respect to environmental issues in the MTSF, the Department of Energy is responsible for Yes No Yes Energy (DoE) – indicators on (1) an effective climate change mitigation and adaptation response, and (2) now combined sustainable human communities (in terms of renewable energy). with DMR as The DoE could be a partner in testing the SEEA EA through providing data (e.g. on energy DMRE infrastructure, biofuel consumption) for ecosystem asset and production accounts, as well as a user of an integrated spatial framework. Department of DIRCO is responsible for reporting internationally on progress towards the MDGs and SDGs. No No Yes International Under the MTSF, this is included in terms of enhancing global cooperation through governance (e.g. reporting Relations and systems and capacity. Since there is a clear linkage between the SDGs and the testing of the on SDGs) Cooperation SEEA EA, DIRCO could be engaged as a partner in the testing of the SEEA EA as a supporter and (DIRCO) user of high-level indicators on biodiversity values, ecosystem protection and degradation. Department of DMR oversees the mining industry in South Africa. It sets as its vision “To enable a globally Yes No Yes Mineral competitive, sustainable and meaningfully transformed minerals and mining sector.” Under the (e.g. data on (e.g. DMR Resources (DMR) MTSF, they are responsible for reporting on: (1) increasing mining exploration and investment; mining) could – now combined (2) a national coal policy; and (3) mitigating negative environmental impacts in the exploitation benefit from a with DoE as of mineral resources. They also maintain an inventory of large land owners. broad DMRE framework for assessing its impacts.) Department of The DMRE was established in June 2019 by the merger of the Department of Energy and the Yes No Yes Mineral Department of Mineral Resources (see DoE and DMR above). National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 41 Name Description of role with regard to production or use of NCA Data Compilers of Users Other provider accounts Resources and Energy (DMRE) Department of DPME is under the Minister of the Presidency and is responsible for setting governmental No No Yes Planning, priorities, monitoring and evaluation. The main instrument for setting priorities is the National (e.g. NCA Monitoring and Development Plan and the approach used is to define 14 high-level outcomes. information for Evaluation The National Planning Commission is an independent agency, answering to the President. It is NSDF) (DPME) responsible for developing a long-term vision and strategic plan for South Africa. The commission will also advise on cross-cutting issues that impact on South Africa’s long-term development. As a supporter and user of the results of testing the SEEA EA, DPME would benefit from having access to a coherent and coordinated measurement and reporting framework for selected MTSF indicators. Department of DSI provides leadership, an enabling environment, and resources for science, technology and No No Yes Allocate funds Science and innovation in support of South Africa’s development. Much of the scientific research and work to data Innovation (DSI) it undertakes is carried out by the following public entities: National Research Foundation providers & – formerly (NRF), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Technology Innovation Agency, support Department of South African National Space Agency, and the Human Sciences Research Council. DSI capacity Science and implements the Global Change Challenge and Research Plan in partnership with other building in this Technology stakeholders. NCA could support this plan through providing information relevant to planning field. and decision-making towards sustainable futures. Department of DWS’s primary responsibility is to formulate and implement water policy. It has an overriding Yes Potentially Yes Water and responsibility for water services provided by local government. (e.g. State of Sanitation4 DWS has worked with CSIR to produce State of Rivers Reports as part of the River Health Rivers (DWS) Programme. They maintain an ecological status database for rivers (by subscription). Reports) According to the MTSF, DWS is responsible for providing information on strategies for water conservation, protecting water resources and maintaining and improving watershed services in key rural areas. DWS holds substantial data on the ecological status of rivers and would also benefit from linkage to economic and social priorities as part of testing the SEEA EA’s land, water, ecosystem asset and ecosystem service accounts. 4 The department was known as the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) prior to May 2014 and as the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) prior to May 2009. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 42 Name Description of role with regard to production or use of NCA Data Compilers of Users Other provider accounts Delegation of the Based in Pretoria and is the focal point for the EU in South Africa. The EU has funded work on No No No Yes European Union the NCA&VES Project. to SA Development DBSA’s purpose is to ‘Build Africa’s Prosperity’ by driving inclusive growth and securing Yes No Yes Possibly Bank of Southern innovative solutions that drive socio-economic development in emerging economies in sub- funding Africa (DBSA) Saharan Africa. DBSA are potential users of accounts, particularly in relation to informing support investment of funding resources in built and ecological infrastructure. DBSA is implementing the Ecological Infrastructure for Water Security project, funded by GEF and being executed by SANBI and which includes an outcome on NCA. Ezemvelo KZN KZN Wildlife is a provincial governmental organisation responsible for maintaining protected Yes Yes Yes Wildlife areas and biodiversity in the KwaZulu-Natal province. The organisation is actively involved in (e.g. KZN biodiversity planning and has produced case studies on valuing ecosystem goods and services land cover) in the province. KZN Wildlife, as a partner in testing the SEEA EA, could both provide data (on species, ecosystems, ecological condition and ecosystem services) and benefit from integrated spatial data and standard classifications National Geo- NGI, known as South Africa's national mapping organisation, is a component of DRDLR whose Yes No No spatial functions are mandated by section 3(A) of the Land Survey Act (Act No. 8 of 1997). It manages (e.g. Information an integrated survey system, which expedites and facilitates orderly development, and mapping and (NGI) provision of extensive topographic mapping, land cover and aerial imagery coverage of the aerial country, which facilitate sustainable development. NGI established, manages and controls an imagery active control survey network of continuously operating GNSS base stations covering South coverage of Africa. It is a key contributor to the SASDI as well as being the largest custodian of geospatial the country) information. National The National Treasury, under the Ministry of Finance, is responsible for macro-economic policy No No Yes Treasury (NT) and manages the government’s budget preparation process and implementation. The National Treasury is considering a national carbon tax and has been conducting modelling and forecasting in preparation. As with DPME, the National Treasury is a potential supporter of testing the SEEA EA, since a streamlined environmental data collection and reporting process would have potential cost savings for government. Nelson Mandela Institute for Coastal and Marine Research (CMR) – a research entity of the Nelson Mandela Yes Yes No Undertaking University University involved in the Ocean Accounts Framework. Involved in convening the Ocean research Accounting WG. contributing to National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 43 Name Description of role with regard to production or use of NCA Data Compilers of Users Other provider accounts best practices, accessing funding. South African Funded by NRF through the DST, its vision is to establish a South African observation and Yes No No Environmental research facility that provides understanding, based on long-term information, needed to Observation address environmental issues. The core of SAEON is to create a framework that permits Network collection, transmission and interpretation of data on long-term ecological changes. New (SAEON) understanding brought about through SAEON will inform suitable policies and appropriate procedures (actions) for dealing with the inevitability of environmental change and its consequences for the livelihoods of South Africa's people. 5 South African South African Local Government Association (SALGA) is an autonomous association of all 257 Yes Unclear Yes Local South African local governments, comprising of a national association, with one national office Government and nine provincial offices. It is listed as a Schedule 3A public entity. SALGA has a clear strategic Authority role to play in representing the interests of local government within the system of government (SALGA) as a whole and supporting its members to fulfil their developmental obligations, on the other. As a full partner in government, SALGA is expected to be an active participant in the intergovernmental relations (IGR) system, to provide common policy positions on numerous issues and to voice local government interests, as well as provide solutions to the challenges facing local government more generally. SALGA maintains a Knowledge hub to support municipalities making informed and reliable decisions. This includes the Municipal Barometer, which includes a range of municipal data such as: Demographics trends, Economic Growth and Development, Access to Basic Services, Access to Social Services, Environmental resilience, municipal finance, good governance and accountability, coherent municipal planning and municipal capacity building, HR and Labour Relations. South African SANBI derives its mandate from the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act Yes Yes User National No. 10 or 2004) and “leads and coordinates research, and monitors and reports on the state of (e.g. through (e.g. Biodiversity biodiversity in South Africa”. In 2004 and 2011, SANBI published a National Biodiversity National developed Institute (SANBI) Assessment (NBA), which focused on terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems. Biodiversity National River The NBA 2018 is currently underway and will be published in 2019. Assessment) Ecosystem Accounts in 5 P. 35 of Environment Sector Research, Development and Evidence (R,D&E) framework (approved by MINMEC in 2012) available at http://www.sagreenfund.org.za/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DEA- Research-Document.pdf National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 44 Name Description of role with regard to production or use of NCA Data Compilers of Users Other provider accounts SANBI is the custodian of the National Ecosystem Classification System, which provides partnership foundational information for the development of ecosystem accounts, including maps and with Stats SA, classification systems for terrestrial, river, wetland, estuarine, inshore and offshore ecosystems. DWS and CSIR) SANBI collaborates closely with other related departments and is often the convenor of relevant initiatives and communities of practice. South African SANEDI is an energy research institute which can provide data on energy types (SOE attached Yes Unclear Yes Unclear National Energy to DMRE). SANEDI was established in 2011 under the National Energy Act, 2008 (Act No. 34 of Development 2008). The Act provides for SANEDI to direct, monitor and conduct energy research and Institute development, promote energy research and technology innovation as well as undertake (SANEDI) measures to promote energy efficiency throughout the economy. In terms Of SANEDI’s mandate, two programmes have been established:  applied energy research, development and innovation: includes renewable energy, cleaner fossil fuels, energy data and knowledge, cleaner mobility, smart grids, working for energy  energy efficiency South African Public entity under DEA. Provides weather data and forecasting. Yes No No No Weather Service (SAWS) Statistics South Stats SA is South Africa’s national statistics office (NSO). The Statistician-General of South Africa Yes Yes Producer Sets standards Africa (Stats SA) is responsible for both the operations of Stats SA and the National Statistics System. That is, the (e.g. general (e.g. Integrated for statistics. position includes the mandate to influence the nature and quality of data collected by other household Report on Builds capacity agencies. survey data) Environmental- (e.g. pilot Stats SA implemented the System of National Accounts in 2008 (SNA 2008), which includes an Economic training enhanced focus on natural resources, their valuation, and their depletion. The government of Accounts programme for South Africa has adopted a South African Statistical Quality Assessment Framework (SASQAF), covering the SEEA which a framework for quality assessment across the statistical value chain.. energy, Central Stats SA engages with its stakeholders internationally, regionally and nationally. Their role in fisheries, Framework environment statistics is concentrated in environmental-economic accounting (established in mining and Accounts in 1999). They do not have a general environmental statistics programme. selected socio- 2014.) They have been asked to assess the quality of selected government environmental datasets, economic but are unable to keep up with the demand. indicators; and a Water Quality National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 45 Name Description of role with regard to production or use of NCA Data Compilers of Users Other provider accounts Stats SA accesses data from other government departments for statistical purposes through Account establishing general Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), and then specific Service Level published in Agreements for individual projects. 2006.) Stats SA has established a core environmental-economic accounting capacity, a pilot SEEA training programme and institutional relationships that could all be expanded to incorporate ecosystem accounting by testing the SEEA EA. The need for improved quality assurance services are opportunities to integrate specific environmental indicators with SEEA EA, and to ensure environment sector data comply with minimum quality standards. Water Research The WRC was established in terms of the Water Research Act (Act No. 34 of 1971), and is a Yes Yes No Funds and Commission statutory body under DWS. It is a global water knowledge node and South Africa’s premier (e.g. through (e.g. through publishes (WRC) water knowledge hub active across the Innovation Value Chain that: informs policy and funding funding decision-making; creates new products, innovation and services for socio-economic research projects that development; develops human capital in the water science sector; supports the national that generate transformation and redress project; and develops sustainable solutions and deepens water provides accounts such research and development in South Africa, Africa and the developing world. It has funded the data useful as water Water Research Accounts. in water accounts and accounts agricultural and water freshwater accounts) ecosystem accounts) INTERNATIONAL ENTITIES FAO Country The FAO Country Office works with DAFF to “provide technical support to ensure food security No No Yes Works with Office and rural development”. This includes institutional strengthening and technical capacity DAFF development. The office could advise testing the SEEA EA on the use of FAO global land cover and soil data at a national level. Gaborone The GDSA is a transformative action platform for achieving sustainable development in Africa. No No Yes Supports NCA Declaration for It was initiated as a regional policy framework in May 2012 and announced at Rio +20 by the (e.g. through Sustainability in ten African countries to take action towards sustainable development. The functions of the coordination Africa (GDSA) GDSA Secretariat have been delegated to Conservation International (CI) until December 2018. and producing Secretariat As such, CI is working on NCA in Africa under the mandate of the Declaration’s stated publications on National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 46 Name Description of role with regard to production or use of NCA Data Compilers of Users Other provider accounts commitments. They work with the 12 member countries to move the GDSA initiative forward. NCA in Africa, A team of experts based in Gaborone provides members with technical and policy support and case studies, facilitates a platform for learning, capacity building, promoting national and global dialogues information and linkages, identifying partnerships and mobilising financial resources to achieve the sheets, sustainable development goals. progress reports, etc.). International ICLEI is a global network committed to building a sustainable future through supporting local No No Yes Capacity Council for Local government. It supports technical, organisational, financial and social solutions to transition to building and Environmental a more sustainable future. ICLEI Africa’s Secretariat both contributes to, and taps into, the tool production Initiatives (ICLEI) organisation’s international network of local government leaders and professional staff who Africa share tools, strategies and good practices for promoting the overall goal of sustainable development through the 17 SDGs. Organisation for In 2013, the OECD released its Environmental Performance Review of South Africa: “… the No No Yes Economic Review recommends to broaden and deepen initiatives to integrate biodiversity into economic (e.g. in Cooperation and and social development.” This recommendation could be addressed by testing the SEEA EA. Environmental Development Performance (OECD) Review of South Africa) Statistics Division Coordinates the Strategy for Harmonising Statistics in Africa (SHaSA). South Africa has proposed No No Yes Supports of the African the creation of a theme on Environmental-Economic Accounting, but this has not yet been through Union agreed on by the organisations that would need to sponsor such an activity (UN-Economic standardisation Commission for Africa, African Union Commission, and the African Development Bank). Testing / setting the SEEA EA would be an opportunity to engage other African nations in developing statistic programmes on ecosystem accounting. standards United Nations UNDP: “South Africa Country Programme is guided by national policy as stated in the MTSF, No No Yes Supporter Development draft National Development Plan: Vision 2030, the Joint Evaluation Report, the Partnership Programme Framework Agreement and the UNDAF (2013-17).” (UNDP) The UNDP manages the implementation of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), in partnership with the European Commission and the Governments of Germany and Switzerland. One of 29 countries participating in BIOFIN, BIOFIN is implemented in SA by DEA in collaboration with the National Treasury. BIOFIN aims to develop a comprehensive national resource mobilising strategy, improve cost effectiveness through the mainstreaming of biodiversity into National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 47 Name Description of role with regard to production or use of NCA Data Compilers of Users Other provider accounts national development and sectoral planning, and develop a methodology for quantifying the biodiversity finance gap at national level. United Nations The UN Environment South Africa Liaison Office is also the Regional Coordination Office for No No Yes Supporter Environment Southern Africa. They have collaborated with DEA in producing the Green Economy Modelling (e.g. in Green Programme (UN Report. UN Environment is also linked with regional organisations such as the African Economy Environment) Environment Ministers and the African Environmental Information Network. Modelling South Africa Report [with Liaison Office DEA]) National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 48 Annexure to the National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy Indicative Implementation Plan and Draft Monitoring and Evaluation Framework National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 49 Indicative Implementation Plan and Draft Monitoring and Evaluation Framework 1. Introduction The National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy (NCA): A ten-year strategy for advancing NCA in South Africa (hereafter referred to as ‘the National NCA Strategy’) was developed collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders (as evidenced in Appendix A of the strategy). The process of developing the strategy involved broad thinking about priorities, processes, products, platforms, people and planning involved in the broad and emerging area of work that is NCA in South Africa (and globally). These inputs were then organised into a results chain logic as it was clarified what would be steps towards outputs (i.e. the activities), what would be outputs towards achieving strategic objectives, which have intended longer-term impacts. This information was invaluable in arriving at the strategy and has been captured in an indicative implementation plan for the National NCA Strategy. Further, in the process of checking the logic of the strategy, how the strategy would be monitored and evaluated was considered. This has been captured in a draft monitoring and evaluation framework that can be further developed in the implementation of the strategy. This annexure captures both the Indicative Implementation Plan and the draft Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. There are a range of role players who will be involved in the implementation of the National NCA Strategy, many of whom will find themselves in the Indicative Implementation Plan below. 2. Indicative Implementation Plan The Indicative Implementation Plan is structured per goal and strategic objective, and includes a table specifying per output the indicative activities towards arriving at those outputs and information important to implementation: • Funding scenario: The NCA strategy has been developed so that it can be implemented under two different funding scenarios: o Low-road activities: can be undertaken with existing human and financial resources. o High-road activities: are only possible with additional resources. • Key role players: include both lead and support role players. • Timeframes: in the case of low-road activities these may be known, in the case of high-road activities these might be estimated or unknown. • Resources: refer to human or financial resources. There may be existing resources that are known or resources required may be estimated, i.e. can provide an estimation of budget required. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 50 The table below summarises the information captured in the tables. Output Indicative Funding scenario Key role Timeframe Resources activities players

1.1.1. Output 1.1.1.1. The NCA strategy has been developed Lead or Has this Refers to human or (easily verifiable/ Indicative so that it can be implemented under supporting already financial resources. measurable, being activities two different funding scenarios: institutions started? Existing or a  Low-road activities: can be When estimated, i.e. can product/deliverable undertaken with existing should it also provide an or the like) human and financial begin? estimation of budget required. resources.  High-road activities: are only possible with additional resources. The Indicative Implementation Plan requires further development. Additional activities and role players should still be added to the plan. In some cases, further progress on low-road activities is still required for greater clarity as to indicative activities. Activities will also be clarified through the processes lead by the institutional mechanisms for implementation of the strategy. The Indicative Implementation Plan could be used as a rolling plan that is improved upon over time. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 51 GOAL 1. NCA is used for integrated planning, decision-making, monitoring and evaluation across a range of sectors SO 1.1. Increased use of natural capital accounts-based indicators and information for high-level and sectoral policies and planning There are four outputs towards this strategic objective. Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources (human and financial) scenario

1.1.1. Strategic 1.1.1.1 Present indicators from available natural capital accounts to Low road Stats SA, 2020 ongoing Two SANBI staff until 2023. engagement and SDG Working Group leads, present NCA to National Planning DFFE, SANBI, Two Stats SA staff. dialogue report Commission, regularly present NCA to MINMEC, MINTech & WGs

1.1.1.2 Organise strategic dialogues on NCA Low road SANBI, Stats SA, 2021 ongoing Two SANBI staff until 2023. Stats SA staff, DFFE, NBI supported by communication and events management teams.

1.1.1.3 Stakeholder and network mapping exercise to identify and High road NCA Strategic prioritise stakeholders and platforms for strategic Advisory Group engagement and dialogue

1.2.2.4 Present on NCA at regional events in Africa (e.g. AMCEN, Low road DFFE, Stats SA GDSA)

1.2.2.5 Make presentations and inputs on NCA at international Low road DFFE, SANBI, Stats 2020 ongoing deliberation/negotiations (e.g. Post-2020 GBF) SA The purpose of the strategic engagements and dialogues is to grow drawn from in this exercise, such as SANBI & Stats SA (2018), the NCA awareness and understanding of natural capital accounts and indicators at Stakeholder list, and future National NCA Forums could present an strategic levels, with the intention to increase their use and consideration opportunity for gathering additional information. The identification of for high-level and sectoral policies and planning. The intention is to expand stakeholders will be influenced by the accounts that are being produced. the stakeholders with which strategic engagements and dialogues are held beyond the environmental sector. A stakeholder and network mapping What we learned through engagement that will be useful for exercise is included to identify and prioritise stakeholders and platforms implementation: for strategic engagement and dialogue to meet this intention. This exercise  It is important to note that NCA does not replace existing tools would address a number of questions held by participants of the national developed for specific purposes. stakeholder workshop, such as: How do we identify and prioritise  NCA is also not the most appropriate tool in all circumstances. stakeholders for strategic dialogues? Can we identify the forums where  Clarifying the differences between natural capital accounting, natural NCA should be introduced? How about other stakeholders, economic users and social users? There are existing resources/opportunities that can be capital assessments and natural capital audits was necessary. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 52 Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources (human and financial) scenario

1.1.2. NCA value 1.1.2.1 Outreach of existing accounts through engagement with Low road Stats SA, NCA 2020-2023 EI4WS funds for operational expenses proposition key stakeholders (including using the strategic Strategic Advisory SANBI & Stats SA staff statements for engagements in 1.1.1) to promote the Group and CoP public sector application/uptake/integration of information generated by natural capital accounts

1.1.2.2 Include NCA-based indicators and information in the annual Low road DFFE, SAE 2020 Existing DFFE SAE compilation and maintenance updates of the web-based South African Environment (SAE) Drafting Team ongoing resources public state of environment information access system (provinces and SANBI)

1.1.2.3 Develop the NCA value proposition statement for public sector High road to share with national and global audiences

1.1.2.4 Explore use of information from natural capital accounts for High road trade-off or scenario analysis,6 and forecasting

1.1.2.5 Explore natural capital accounting as a tool to inform policy High road DPME/National and planning, including the MTSF (which informs the MTEF) Treasury

1.1.2.6 Explore links between NCA and National Treasury’s budget High road National Treasury, transparency programme/initiative Stats SA, SANBI The output of an NCA value proposition statement for the public sector replace existing tools that are fit for purpose. The value proposition could that is being developed is seen as important to making the case for the use illustrate the use of accounts to track big environmental and sustainable and uptake of NCA information and indicators. The value proposition development issues. Select priority national issues and illustrate how statement should include linkages between different types of accounts and accounts can be used to track trends and impacts of decision-making (e.g. examples of application or use of information from accounts. Statements pick up impact of death by a thousand cuts). Indicative activities include should include both the value of such information (where information from exploring how NCA information could be used by a range of provincial and accounts can be best used for good decision-making), as well as what the municipal committees and working groups, e.g. disaster resilience working constraints/limitations are. The latter is important to avoid groups in metropolitan municipalities (as part of NT’s Cities Support misinterpretation and includes understanding the limits of what the Programme). accounts might be used for, at what spatial resolution, and in what contexts (e.g. roadmap on how certain tools can be used). NCA should not 6 Refer back to key issues to explore through scenario analysis that were discussed during the National Stakeholder Workshop in March 2018. These included: population densification in peri-urban areas; water quality; land degradation through different farming practices, bush encroachment and invasive alien plants. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 53 There is not existing capacity to support this in full, but there are activities  Data providers, account compilers and users of information as that could take place with existing resources and would contribute to the national stakeholder workshop participants emphasized the need to value statement over time. These are indicated as being low-road feed back to data providers and add to the value of monitoring and indicative activities and include outreach of existing accounts to key other data used in the compilation of accounts. stakeholders. This will include:  Use of existing platforms where possible.  Attention to key stakeholders and platforms identified in Output 1.1.1. Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources (human and financial) scenario

1.1.3. NCA value 1.1.3.1 Outreach of existing accounts through engagement with key High road NBI, Stats SA, Stats SA and SANBI staff, but with limited time, proposition stakeholders to promote the application/uptake/integration SANBI could support with content/advice but capacity statement for of information generated by natural capital accounts needed to organise information sharing events private sector (time and space), create presentations that meet their target audience, respond to inquiries from potential users at different levels.

1.1.3.2 Explore with private sector stakeholders how NCA can be used High road NBI, WWF, WRC, 2021-2023 EI4WS Project by the private sector and how private sector can support SANBI, Stats SA advancement of NCA (e.g. through case studies and workshops)

1.1.3.3 Explore use of information from natural capital accounts in High road DBSA, UNEP, assessment of risk, opportunities, and financial exposure in IDFC, Natural the private sector Capital Finance Initiative (NCFI)

1.1.3.4 Develop the NCA value proposition statement for private High road NBI, Natural NBI can disseminate through existing member sector to share with national and global audiences Capital Coalition capacity building sessions

1.1.3.5 Explore use of information from natural capital accounts for High road (NCC), Science- trade-off or scenario analysis, forecasting, and footprint based Targets measures Initiative, WWF, World Resources Institute The output of an NCA value proposition statements for the private sector these might be further developed for use by the private sector. Statements being developed is seen as important to making the case for the use and should include both the value of such information (where information from uptake of NCA information and indicators. The value proposition accounts can be best used for good decision-making), as well as what the statement should include linkages between different types of accounts and limitations constraints/limitations are. The latter is important to avoid examples of application or use of information from accounts and how misinterpretation and includes understanding the limits of what the National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 54 accounts might be used for, at what spatial resolution, and in what contexts (e.g. roadmap on how certain tools can be used). NCA should not Stakeholders highlighted exploring use of information from natural capital replace existing tools that are fit for purpose. This output speaks to accounts in assessment of risk, opportunities, and exposure in the financial developing the value proposition statement that will help point to where sector with the banking sector as a key role player. DBSA is linked with additional investment would be worthwhile to, for example, develop global banking movements to transition the finance sector to be more evidence-based insights through conducting deeper analytical studies and transparent and accountable for biodiversity and water security impacts – statistical modelling (interpreting information and statistics from accounts these include the UNEP Task Force for Biodiversity Accountability, IDFC under Goal 2) and may necessitate the compilation of additional accounts Making Finance Work for Biodiversity, and UNEP-ENCORE tools. An (Goal 3), or expansion of data and capacity (Goal 4), and formal and example was given in relation to ensuring consideration of environmental informal collaboration arrangements and investment (Goal 5). Building impacts and dependencies by banks when considering loans for mining or value of statistics with and for the private sector is supported by the Stats developments. Stakeholders also highlighted exploring the use of SA Strategic Plan, but Stats SA has limited capacity to support this. The NCA information from natural capital accounts in exploring financial exposure, value proposition statement(s) for the private sector will be important dependencies, risks, etc. of commercial entities/corporates broadly. outputs for clarifying needs, opportunities, constraints and risks. Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources (human and financial) scenario

1.1.4. Uptake and 1.1.4.1 Track use of NCA publications and indicators in the IIF that Low road Stats SA 2021-2030 use of natural draw information from natural capital accounts capital accounts 1.1.4.2 Evaluate value created through implementation of NCA in Low road WRC, SANBI 2020-2023 EI4WS funded WRC Knowledge Coordinator synthesis report South Africa

1.1.4.3 Capture stories of change that make the most of current NCA Low road Stats SA, WRC, Annually WRC successes to help make the case for further funding or WWF, key private collaboration entities A synthesis of uptake and use of natural capital accounts is important to uptake and use of NCA. Sources of the full detail of some of the indicators measuring progress and to motivating greater interest and uptake. Core may well be held by other entities, and Stats SA only coordinates the indicators of uptake and use of natural capital accounts could include collation of the information. uptake of NCA information in frameworks, strategies or policies developed by Stats SA, DFFE, DWS, DPME, National Treasury or other institutions or The value creation evaluation is being piloted through the EI4WS Project. initiatives. In due course, the synthesis should include results of the This should be explored to build into a simple survey that could be part of monitoring and evaluation of the strategy as a whole (see draft M&E future National NCA Forums to bring together information from different framework). The synthesis report should remain a simple collation of stakeholders. monitoring information aimed at showing mobilisation, implementation, National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 55 SO 1.2. Public discourse stimulated with information from NCA Public discourse can be an important driver of what policy- and decision-makers pay attention to, and can help to advocate for consideration of information from natural capital accounts in integrated planning and decision-making in support of the development needs of the country. There are two outputs in this strategic objective. Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources (human and financial) scenario 1.2.1. 1.2.1.1 Cooperate with communications staff from Stats SA to identify Low road Stats SA, SANBI 2020 Limited: 1% of Stats SA and SANBI staff time Communication opportunities to share NCA information ongoing and advocacy plan 1.2.1.2 Create standing agenda item on NCA-based indicators and Low road DFFE, SAE Drafting 2020 Existing DFFE SAE compilation and maintenance to create and use information in the annual State of Environment Reporting Team (provinces ongoing resources opportunities to Community of Practice workshops and SANBI) share information 1.2.1.3 Develop and roll out a communication and advocacy plan for High road Stats SA, DFFE, from natural capital NCA, including stimulating debates on different platforms SANBI, DPME accounts about NCA and its outcomes The need for a communication and advocacy plan was identified in SANBI encourage and enable communication channels that promote social and Stats SA (2018). The plan should seek to support the outcome of learning (beyond push-pull communications). All role players have a role to increased use of natural capital accounts-based indicators and information play in stimulating public discourse around NCA and its findings in their for high-level and sectoral policies and planning (SO 1.1), support raising sectors; the communication and advocacy plan can help to clarify what awareness and improve understanding about the contribution of could help enable this, what NCA champions need to support this, and ecosystems to society and the economy in the public broadly, demonstrate what the priorities and opportunities are in relation to the goals and the value and usefulness of NCA work (motivating for continued/greater objectives of the strategy. Additional resources and the right sort of investment and strengthened capacity in monitoring and accounting), and capacity are needed to see this output achieved. Output Indicative activities Funding Key role Timeframe Resources (human and financial) scenario players 1.2.2. 1.2.2.1 Maintain a list of NCA stakeholders with whom information Low road Stats SA Ongoing Stats SA DD: Economic Analysis Communication can be regularly shared channels for NCA 1.2.2.2 Update and maintain website content on NCA Low road Stats SA, SANBI Ongoing Limited: 1% of Stats SA and SANBI staff time information and DFFE products 1.2.2.3 Send a bi-annual email to NCA stakeholders with updates Low road Stats SA Limited: 1% of Stats SA and SANBI staff time on NCA in South Africa National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 56 Output Indicative activities Funding Key role Timeframe Resources (human and financial) scenario players

1.2.2.4 Establish and maintain a social media group to Low road Stats SA, SANBI, Limited: 1% of Stats SA and SANBI staff time communicate with the South African NCA community of others practice

1.2.2.5 Explore ways to include NCA information in interactive and High road Stats SA Potentially Stats SA Dir /Geog / SANSS online dissemination platforms and tools maintained by Stats SA

1.2.2.6 Give presentations about NCA and natural capital accounts High road for more opportunistic outreach in South Africa with a broad range of audiences (requires identifying likely audiences, collaborative development of presentations, and storing and updating them) Communication channels for NCA are the output required through which they are used appropriately to reach intended audiences and to achieve NCA-related information can be disseminated or shared. Communication agreed objectives. However, activities’ use of communication channels for channels are ways in which information/messages can be shared with an NCA information and products is possible with existing resources (on the intended audience. Relevant examples of different types of low road) and will include those established through the NCAVES Project, communication channels include text messages (e.g. WhatsApp), emails, namely emails to the NCA Stakeholder List, maintenance of website video, conferencing (face-to-face, audio or video conferencing) and social content about NCA on Stats SA and SANBI websites, and episodic social media platforms (e.g. Twitter). media around national NCA events convened by Stats SA. The communication channels for NCA, once developed, should be High-road activities should ideally be informed by the Communication and informed by a Communication and Advocacy Plan (Output 1.2.1) to ensure Advocacy Plan (Output 1.2.1) and/or the NCA Strategic Advisory Group. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 57 GOAL 2. NCA offers credible evidence of how nature supports people and the economy Ensuring that natural capital accounts provide evidence of how nature supports people and the economy requires an additional step of interpretation and integration with other information, as well as contributing more broadly to the NCA knowledge. The ‘NCA offer’ might be portrayed in a variety of ways: reports, maps, infographics and other visualisation tools, and policy briefs, to name a few. Information and statistics from accounts are neutral. Analysis and interpretation of information and statistics from accounts, with other economic and social information, translate these into evidence that has a particular objective in mind, evidence being a body of facts or information indicating whether a particular belief or proposition is true; and there being different types of evidence based on different types of information. SO 2.1. Statistics and information are drawn from natural capital accounts, providing evidence of how nature supports people and the economy This strategic objective seeks to provide statistics and information drawn co-producers of accounts). It is also noted that a number of accounts have from natural capital accounts (SO 3.1) that offer credible evidence of how already been compiled in South Africa, and their value and impact can be nature supports people and the economy for use in integrated planning, further developed through communication materials and co-creation of decision-making, monitoring and evaluation across a range of sectors (Goal interpreted products. Building on what we have, we want to increase use 1). This strategic objective involves the interpretation of statistics and and improve on what we have (add and expand). Stats SA’s role in this information into evidence of what is happening with nature and how it process is limited as their mandate pertains to provision of value neutral supports society and the economy. Users of information stemming from accounts and statistics. There should, however, be a feedback loop to natural capital accounts should be involved in co-creating this value compiling accounts as information needs by users can also inform the offering (i.e. in addition to the role players who are data providers and/or compilation of future accounts. This strategic objective has four outputs. Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources (human and financial) Scenario

2.1.2. NCA 2.1.2.1 Use national, African and international NCA Low road Stats SA, SANBI 2020-2023 Two SANBI staff until 2023. Two Stats communication communities of practice to identify tensions and SA staff. materials areas requiring clarification

2.1.2.2 Develop key messages from natural capital accounts, Low road Stats SA, SANBI, other producers 2020 Limited: 2% of SANBI & Stats SA Staff and maintain and promote their use by those and users ongoing time communicating about NCA

2.1.2.3 Produce fact sheets that help to clarify and Low road SANBI 2020-2021 SANBI existing resources communicate NCA and its relevance to general audience

2.1.2.4 Develop products to grow NCA literacy to increase Low-high Stats SA, DFFE, SANBI, other 2020 Limited: 2% of SANBI & Stats SA Staff use of information from NCA (e.g. NCA glossary / road producers and users ongoing time lexicon of terms, frequently asked questions, National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 58 Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources (human and financial) Scenario presentations about NCA and natural capital accounts for use in South Africa)

2.1.2.5 Develop short messages and content (including Low-high Stats SA, SANBI Ongoing Dependent on communication staff photos or graphics) about NCA events or releases in road DFFE, others and approval processes in government South Africa to share on social media platforms entities

2.1.2.6 Multi-media videos (e.g. of what NCA is, relevance, High road Stats SA, SANBI Stats SA communications team etc.)

2.1.2.7 Produce data stories for Stats SA website about Low road Stats SA ongoing Stats SA communications specialist natural capital accounts published by Stats SA

2.1.2.8 Produce localised stories/case studies that show Low road WRC, potentially NBI Limited capacity through EI4WS project impact and application of natural capital accounts at local scales or in relation to real people (link to stories of change in Output 1.1.4)

2.1.2.9 Produce popular articles for broader society High road (targeted towards the general public) with links to local contexts and case studies The output of NCA communication materials is intended to generally NCA communication materials should be made available through one or demystify and clarify NCA and enable discourse and sharing about NCA at more communication channel(s) for NCA (Output 1.2.3). relevant participatory events. These materials should directly meet the needs of a Communication and Advocacy Plan (Output 1.2.1) once South Africa has numerous successes in relation to NCA and several developed. Development of NCA communication materials involves the examples of communication materials developed around these now exist. interpretation of information and statistics from accounts for particular However, their reach is still limited and more is needed to further mobilise audiences using various forms of communication. Communication investment, collaboration and interest in NCA and uptake of information materials can be produced with existing resources (on the low road) and from natural capital accounts (Output 1.2.1). Stakeholders gave an will include those developed around NCA-related projects, natural capital example of how the WWF Strategic Water Source Area Journey of Water accounts published, or as guided by the NCA Strategic Advisory Group. initiative has changed the insurance industry’s attitude to water risks. This Additional capacity would increase the capacity to review and support co- also served as a reminder that local-level or catchment-level examples can development of such material, and existing capacity is constrained. A provide compelling narratives. National NCA Strategy manager would be beneficial in this. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 59 Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources (human and financial) Scenario

2.1.2. Interpreted 2.1.2.1 Co-creation of interpreted products for accounts Low road DWS, WRC, SANBI, Stats SA, 2020ongoing Internal capacity at DWS and Stats SA; products from natural related to surface water and groundwater CMAs, Water Boards limited capacity of staff at SANBI until capital accounts that 2023 in WI4WS Project communicate their 2.1.2.2 Co-creation of interpreted products for accounts High road Stats SA, DMRE, DFFE, National relevance and related to energy Treasury, private sector role content players

2.1.2.3 Co-creation of interpreted products for accounts Low road DFFE, DMRE, National Treasury 2021 Existing climate change monitoring and related to carbon and greenhouse gas emissions ongoing evaluation team

2.1.2.4 Co-creation of interpreted products for accounts Low-high SANBI, DFFE, CSIR related to ecosystems across all realms road

2.1.2.5 Co-creation of interpreted products for land accounts High road DFFE, DALRRD, SANBI, COGTA, SALGA and or District Municipalities

2.1.2.6 Co-creation of interpreted products for accounts Low-high DFFE, SANBI, National Treasury related to protection of natural environment road

2.1.2.7 Co-creation of interpreted products for accounts Low-high SANBI, DFFE, DWS, WRC, National 2020-2023 EI4WS Project related to ecological infrastructure road Treasury

2.1.2.8 Co-creation of interpreted products for accounts Low-high DFFE, SANBI, primary data 2020 SANBI & DFFE staff using existing related to species of special concern road providers (NGOs, associations, ongoing accounts etc.) relevant to the species in question

2.1.2.9 Co-creation of interpreted products for accounts Low road DFFE, SANBI 2021-2022 DFFE staff. Two Stats SA staff. Two related to biodiversity economy SANBI staff until 2023.

2.1.2.10 Co-creation of interpreted products for accounts High road DMRE, DFFE, DWS related to mineral resources

2.1.2.11 Co-creation of interpreted products for ocean Low road NMU, Oceans Accounting WG NRF accounts

2.1.2.12 Demonstrate how natural capital accounts High road NBI, DBSA (particularly accounts for EI assets) link to major company operations or industrial clusters (i.e. draw the link between businesses and their natural capital dependencies)

2.1.2.13 Demonstrate how natural capital accounts link to High road DBSA, BASA, African Development initiatives to make banks more accountable over Bank (related to expansion of time (linking to the Recommendations of the Task- accounting on the African force on Climate-related Disclosures) continent) National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 60 The output of ‘interpreted products’ from natural capital accounts that compilers, users and other interested parties are involved in the co- communicate their relevance and content is distinguished as a separate creation of interpreted products (also see Output 2.2.2). step from the compilation and publication of accounts. This is because it involves a broader group of stakeholders beyond data providers and The activities in this output reflect the accounts as identified in Goal 3. This compilers of accounts, and includes users of information from accounts. is because the availability of the account affects whether the activity is on This is a step removed from what Stats SA has control over. Users of low or high road to some degree, and because the role players involved will information from accounts may respond to strategic or national priorities vary. Key role players must include not only data providers and account or particular issues of concern that can change over time – so the nature compilers, but also users of accounts. Users of accounts should be involved of interpreted products might change but the accounts remain stable and in co-creation to ensure that their likely application is considered in the value neutral. The methods of compiling accounts and the indicators drawn interpretation, visualisation and representation of interpreted products. from accounts stay largely the same over time (Goal 3), but interpretation and integration with other socio-economic data is influenced by who does Application of natural capital accounts by the private sector is still an the interpretation, what other data is integrated or interpreted alongside emergent area in South Africa. Activities and key role players will need to data from natural capital accounts and so on. Acknowledging this, be expanded upon during implementation. Voluntary exploration of credibility in relation to the interpretation is important and it is extensions and application of statistics and indicators from accounts is recommended that representatives from data providers, account encouraged. Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources (human and financial) Scenario

2.1.3. A set of natural 2.1.3.1 Identify indicators that will be drawn from accounts Low-high Stats SA, technical leads on Ongoing Could be achieved with existing Stats resource headline to support reporting on indicators in the Integrated road accounts being produced, leads on SA staff, but may require additional indicators drawn Indicator Framework (IIF)7 Sectoral Working Groups for SDG capacity as it adds to the work of either from natural capital indicators EEA Division or SANSS. accounts 2.1.3.2 Annual publication of headline indicators, High road Stats SA, DFFE, CoGTA, SALGA disaggregating statistical information to district level to inform the District Development Model (DDM) where possible 7 The Integrated Indicator Framework (IIF) captures performance indicators outlined in the SDGs, Agenda 2063 and NDP, and will in future include indicators from other relevant sectors’ governing frameworks globally. Stats SA produces around 270 publications annually, contributing to a minimal percentage of the indicators in the IIF. Stats SA’s Strategic Plan sets out to harness other statistics through collaboration with other data producers in the data ecosystem to increase response to the IIF. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 61 The output here is a set of natural resource headline indicators that are Strategic Plan sets out to harness other statistics through collaboration drawn from the integrated range of accounts compiled under Goal 3. Such with other data producers in the data ecosystem to increase response to a product may be a product of the DFFE or Stats SA, or a collaborative the IIF. Some of this should be achieved through NCA. This should effort, or both. This still needs to be determined and strategic guidance contribute to the case for greater investment in NCA and regular sought through the NCA Strategic Advisory Group. production of priority accounts. The identification could build on an initial assessment through the NCAVES Project in 2019. Indicative activities that contribute to this output are the identification of indicators that will be drawn from accounts to support reporting on Disaggregation of statistical information from natural capital accounts to indicators in the Integrated Indicator Framework (IIF). The IIF captures the district municipality level was highlighted several times as important, performance indicators outlined in the SDGs, Agenda 2063 and NDP, and particularly in the context of the District Development Model launched in will in future include indicators from other relevant sectors’ governing September 2019 by the President, which will have new demands for frameworks globally. Stats SA produces around 270 publications annually, statistical information. This should inform reporting units for all natural contributing to a minimal percentage of the indicators in the IIF. Stats SA’s capital accounts produced. Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources (human and financial) Scenario

2.1.4. Reports that 2.1.4.1 Develop integrative reports integrating natural capital High road Stats SA, DFFE, DPME, National integrate information accounts with socio-economic data Treasury, potentially CoGTA from more than one 2.1.4.2 Explore integrated reports of more than one natural High road Stats SA, DFFE, DPME, DSI account capital account

2.1.4.3 Explore inclusion of NCA information in Stats SA geo- High road Stats SA enabled products This output is about reports that add value to any one set of accounts by Stakeholders in the national stakeholder workshop highlighted that value integrating information from more than one account, and/or integrating added to other sectors who might use information from the accounts is information from an account with social or economic information. possible, and that the integrated reports might be used to answer or respond to specific questions. They highlighted the connection to mapping Such integrated information could explore providing information relevant stakeholders (see Output 1.1) and the importance of this in identifying who to cross-cutting concepts or policies, such as the circular economy. should be involved in the development of such reports. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 62 SO 2.2. Documentation of practice, lessons and guidance contribute to available knowledge There are two outputs in this strategic objective. Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources (human and financial) Scenario

2.2.1. Written 2.2.1.1 Capture results of pilot studies High road contributions to development of 2.2.1.2 Review and give written contributions/inputs into Low road SANBI, Stats SA Ongoing as Two Stats SA staff. Two SANBI staff global and regional global or regional NCA standards and guidelines under possible until 2023. standards and development (e.g. the SEEA) methodology 2.2.1.3 Participate in testing of SEEA methods where possible Low-high SANBI, Stats SA Ad hoc Two Stats SA staff. Two SANBI staff road until 2023.

2.2.1.4 Participate in regional and global forums (e.g. Low road DFFE, SANBI, Stats SA, others Ongoing Limited: 2% of SANBI & Stats SA Staff webinars, forums or meetings) related to compiling accounts time development, refinement or improvement of methods and provide presentations on South Africa’s experience Written contributions to development of standards and methodology at and test South Africa’s approaches in a global and regional arena. global and regional levels based on experience, case studies and lessons Participation in global and regional forums is included in this output. learned in South Africa will strengthen South Africa’s standing and expose Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources (human and financial) Scenario

2.2.2. Best-practice 2.2.2.1 Best practice note on how to apply and interpret High road Co-creators of interpreted Once off note and/or peer- natural capital accounts products reviewed literature 2.2.2.2 Write peer-reviewed papers or articles about South High road Co-producers of accounts Ongoing Limited: 2% of SANBI & Stats SA Staff Africa’s natural capital accounts time Stakeholders highlighted concerns around the interpretation of misinterpretation or lack of understanding of the limits of what accounts information from accounts and integration with other socio-economic data can do and how they can be used. In addition, peer-reviewed literature on being influenced by who does the interpretation, what other data is South Africa’s natural capital accounts would not only contribute to the integrated or interpreted alongside data from natural capital accounts of global knowledge agenda on NCA, but would also contribute to the information from accounts. The recommendation was for gathering of best credibility of evidence drawn from accounts. practice on how to avoid unintended consequences of misinformation, National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 63 GOAL 3. An integrated suite of natural capital accounts is produced based on best-available methods SO 3.1. Regularly compile and publish an integrated suite of natural capital accounts Stats SA has historically produced most of its economic and demographic asset accounts, flow accounts, activity/purpose accounts that explicitly statistics in-house. However, the trend globally is for national statistics identify environmental transactions already existing in the System of offices to be seen as co-ordinators and custodians of statistics, and to work National Accounts, combined physical and monetary accounts). Accounts in partnership with other organs of state. NCA is inherently multi- to be compiled will be guided by a Technical Working Group (refer to disciplinary and cross-sectoral, and Stats SA does not have the capacity or Section 5 of the strategy on Institutional Mechanisms), evaluated against expertise required to produce the full range of natural capital accounts in- principles of the statistical value chain, informed by the SEEA framework of house. This means that collaboration and partnerships with departments accounts, and influenced by what is useful for South Africa (feedback loop and entities are essential for taking forward the production of natural to Goal 1). Some account-specific indicative activities are captured in the capital accounts, with clear setting out of roles and responsibilities. indicative implementation plan per output below. There are a number of outputs in this strategic objective. The outputs Note that key role players in Goal 3 are the role players who have a role in speak to accounts or sets of accounts related to a particular focus area. co-producing accounts. Users of information from accounts should be Focus areas were identified through stakeholder-driven prioritisation listed as role players in Goal 2. exercises and informed by government priorities. There is no order of priority in the order of the outputs. Depending on whether any accounts Accounts compiled under one focus area may also be relevant to another have already been produced, there may be low-road activities but most focus area. For example: there will be links between accounts related to activities require additional resources. Indicative activities for the energy, carbon and greenhouse gas emissions and mineral resources; compilation of all accounts in the outputs below will be informed by the marine and coastal ecosystem accounts are useful in their own right and broad process of developing accounts (see Figure 3 in the National NCA are part of ocean accounts (e.g. ecosystems are integrated assets whose Strategy) in line with the statistical value chain (see Appendix B in the extent and condition influence not only fish as assets, but also flow of National NCA Strategy). In most cases there are a number of different types services such as coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and recreation, of accounts that can be developed in relation to each of the outputs (e.g. among others). Output High-level indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

3.1.1. Accounts 3.1.1.1 National water accounts are updated Low road DWS, Stats SA, WRC Annually Stats SA 2020/2021 financial year related to surface 3.1.1.2 Water resource accounts (linking catchments to provision of Low road CWRR, SANBI, DWS, 2020-2023 DWS CD: Water Ecosystems and groundwater water) produced for more than one time period in two WRC EI4WS demonstration catchments National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 64

3.1.1.3 Water resource accounts for all Strategic Water Source Areas High road DFFE, DWS, WRC, (SWSA) catchments CWRR

3.1.1.4 Water resource accounts for all catchments High road DWS, WRC, CWRR

3.1.1.5 Compile accounts related to surface water and groundwater High road DWS, Stats SA DWS Resource Quality Services unit quality

3.1.1.6 Explore application and relevance of global datasets and Low road CWRR, IHE Delft Project models to produce water accounts

3.1.1.7 Compile groundwater resource accounts High road DWS, Stats SA There are high levels of interest by a wide range of stakeholders in water- Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSAs) should be seen as a specific related accounts. The compilation of accounts cannot be separated from accounting area within South Africa for which many different types of discussion of data availability and quality, as well as capacity to prepare accounts could be compiled. As a strategic focus for DFFE and DWS, this accounts-ready data and accounts, particularly if this will include work to would include accounts related to surface and groundwater in SWSAs (or report at finer scales (e.g. catchments). Although data and capacity are the catchments with SWSAs), accounts related to protection of natural subject of Goal 4, the process of determining the feasibility for compiling environment in SWSAs (see output 3.1.7), or accounts related to ecological an expanded range of water-related accounts will include assessing the infrastructure in SWSAs (output 3.1.8). SWSAs may provide a pilot for available data and capacity to compile them. Formal partnerships should creating an integrated suite of natural capital accounts that could provide be explored (Goal 5) to prioritise, realign capacity and further invest in information of how nature supports society and economy through these accounts. addressing water security for South Africa. Output High level indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

3.1.2. Accounts 3.1.2.1 Regularly produce national energy supply and use tables High road Stats SA, DMRE, related to energy Eskom, SANEDI, relevant NGOs

3.1.2.2 Explore production of energy supply and use tables at finer High road Stats SA, DMRE, spatial resolutions, e.g. district municipality level local and district municipalities Stakeholder discussion around this output highlighted that stakeholders unpacked to clarify whether it included: bioprospecting, electricity are interested in more detail in relation to the type of energy. It was generation, petroleum and gas; government and independent power suggested that what is included with respect to ‘energy’ needed to be suppliers. This will also influence the key role players involved in co- National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 65 creating interpreted products in Goal 2. Stakeholders are interested in is only at national level and does not get further disaggregated. more disaggregated reporting in national energy accounts. DMRE is the Stakeholders saw value in exploring whether accounts could be produced primary data provider on the energy balance for SA, but the data provided at municipal level. Output High-level indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

3.1.3. Accounts 3.1.3.1 Compile and publish the biennial South African Greenhouse Low road DFFE Biennially Existing climate change monitoring and related to carbon Gas (GHG) Emission Report and GHG inventory for evaluation team and greenhouse submission under the UNFCCC gas emissions 3.1.3.2 Produce spatially explicit accounts of carbon and greenhouse Low road DFFE, National Existing climate change monitoring and gas emissions (including feasibility study of what type of Treasury, Stats SA, evaluation and carbon tax teams accounts and resolution most relevant to carbon taxes, DMRE carbon trading)

3.1.3.3 Regularly produce selected accounts of carbon and High road DFFE, Stats SA, greenhouse gas emissions relevant NGOs, potentially SAWS, Dept of Health Stakeholder engagement highlighted that there is considerable research, for submission under the UNFCCC using the existing climate change attention and interest in carbon and greenhouse gas emissions globally and monitoring and evaluation team. This presents several nationally, and so there are a number of role players that could be included opportunities/connection points such as: the same data being used to beyond traditional national government departments. Role players to compile accounts of carbon and greenhouse gas emissions; that there is include are NGOs, non-profits, municipalities, universities, South African capacity that could be realigned to also compile accounts; and the report Weather Service (SAWS) and other national departments such as the could present an avenue through which information and statistics from Department of Health. DFFE compiles data and publishes in the biennial these accounts could be used. South African Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Report and GHG inventory Output High-level indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

3.1.4. Accounts 3.1.4.1 Regularly produce mineral accounts for selected minerals High road Stats SA, DMRE related to mineral 3.1.4.2 Explore production of mineral supply and use tables at finer High road resources spatial resolutions, e.g. district municipality level National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 66 Stats SA has compiled mineral accounts over the past decade. The value carbon and greenhouse gas emission accounts should be explored and will and future production of these accounts should be explored with potential be enabled by reporting of the accounts at smaller reporting units. Data users in Goal 1 and could be supported by the production of co-created availability will need to be explored. products in Goal 2. Integration with other accounts such as energy and Output High-level indicative activities Funding scenario Key role players Timeframe Resources

3.1.5. Accounts 3.1.5.1 Marine ecosystem asset accounts Low road SANBI, DFFE, Stats SA, NMU One SANBI staff member related to (Ken Findlay) ecosystems across 3.1.5.2 Coastal ecosystem asset accounts High road CSIR, SANBI, DFFE, Stats SA all realms 3.1.5.3 River ecosystem asset accounts High road SANBI, DWS, DFFE, Stats SA

3.1.5.4 Wetland ecosystem asset accounts High road SANBI, DWS, DFFE, Stats SA

3.1.5.5 Estuary ecosystem asset accounts Low road CSIR, SANBI, DFFE, Stats SA, CSIR has produced experimental estuarine DWS ecosystem asset accounts.

3.1.5.6 Terrestrial ecosystem asset accounts High road SANBI, DFFE, Stats SA This includes all accounts associated with SEEA Ecosystem Accounts, national and global initiatives and tools related to the quantification and covering accounting for ecosystem assets and ecosystem services. Asset valuation of ecosystem services that are relevant here (e.g. WAVES, accounts include extent and condition accounts, although one may be ENCORE, TEEB, amongst others). produced without the other where data are not available for both (e.g. the Land and Terrestrial Ecosystem Accounts, 1990 to 2014 only present Regular production of ecosystem accounts needs to be secured with terrestrial ecosystem extent accounts). Ecosystem service accounts include additional funding, and/or built into KPAs. flow accounts (supply and use tables). These accounts are compiled in biophysical terms. Where useful and appropriate, this may be translated Stakeholders suggested that provincial environmental departments might into monetary values, but often that is not necessary. There are many be key role players in ecosystem accounts. This should be assessed in each examples of issues that are important to society that are measured in non- case as, for example, while some delegations of Estuarine Management monetary terms, like literacy rates, matric pass rates, infant mortality, Plans go down to local government and involve provincial environmental unemployment levels, life expectancy and other health and education departments, these entities may not be key role players in the compilation outcomes. The same is true for natural resources and ecosystems – their of accounts but in their use and development of interpreted products importance and value to society can be captured in a range of statistics and (Goal 2), using the information from such accounts. indicators, many of which are non-monetary. There are a number of National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 67 Output High-level indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

3.1.6. Land 3.1.6.1 Update and regularly produce land accounts at national, Low-high DFFE, SANBI, Stats Land accounts between 1990 and 2014 compiled accounts provincial and municipal level road SA with NCAVES Project resources. Further resources required to be updated with 2018 NLC data and updates thereafter.

3.1.6.2 Produce and regularly update land accounts for strategic DFFE, SANBI, Stats Baseline set through EI4WS Project water source areas (SWSAs), including of protection SA a) Produce discussion document a) Low road b) Regular updates b) High road

3.1.6.3 Explore improvements to land accounts, e.g. through High road DFFE, SANBI, supplementing with local-level data in pilot district or DALRRD, COGTA, metropolitan municipalities DMs Land accounts can provide information relevant to spatial development. municipalities would be included in this. Activities to increase the data District is a strategic level to work at as there is a drive in government to offering and frequency of land accounts are included in Goal 4. implement the District Development Model, and metropolitan Output High level indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

3.1.7. Accounts 3.1.7.1 Update and regularly produce accounts related to protection High road DFFE, SANParks, Baseline through NCAVES, will need update related to of terrestrial natural environment SANBI, Stats SA protection of 3.1.7.2 Produce and regularly update accounts related to protection High road DFFE, SANBI, Stats 2020-2021 Baseline with SANBI staff member natural of marine ecosystems SA environment 3.1.7.3 Compile and regularly update accounts related to protection High road DFFE, DWS, SANBI, of other ecosystem realms (coastal, wetlands, rivers, CSIR, Stats SA estuaries)

3.1.7.4 Produce and regularly update accounts related to protection Low road DFFE, DWS, SANBI, Baseline set through EI4WS Project of strategic water source areas (SWSAs) Stats SA

3.1.7.5 Expand protected area accounts with information of land High road DFFE, DALRRD, ownership, and a broad range of conservation types to be SANBI, relevant to a wider range of policies

3.1.7.6 Expand protected area accounts with environmental High road DFFE, NT, SANBI Proof of concept through EI4WS project protection expenditure accounts Accounts related to protection of the natural environment are intended to and to a broad range of mechanisms for protecting natural environments. relate to meeting protected area and biodiversity targets across all realms, This includes all categories of protected areas in the Protected Areas Act National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 68 (including national parks, nature reserves, protected environments, and accounts that explicitly identify environmental transactions already World Heritage sites, amongst others), the full range of biodiversity existing in the System of National Accounts, in particular environmental stewardship sites and areas secured through Other Effective Conservation protection expenditure accounts that will provide a way of tracking public Measures. Accounts should include accounts linked to an activity/purpose sector expenditure on protecting and managing the natural environment. Output High level indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

3.1.8. Accounts 3.1.8.1 Produce accounts related to ecological infrastructure assets Low road SANBI, DFFE, 2020-2023 EI4WS Project related to for demonstration catchments Stats SA, DWS ecological 3.1.8.2 Expand the range of accounts for ecological infrastructure High road DFFE, SANBI infrastructure (nationally and/or for prioritised areas or areas of strategic importance such as SWSAs) Accounts related to ecological infrastructure will include a range of for Water Security Project being executed by SANBI, implemented by DBSA accounts such as ecosystem asset accounts, ecosystem service accounts, and funded by GEF. That project focuses on water-related ecological and supplementary accounts related to investment in ecological infrastructure. There are other types of ecological infrastructure important infrastructure. The application of these accounts in monitoring and to deliver on, for example disaster risk reduction or food security (such as reporting on investment in ecological infrastructure should be explored. coastal ecosystems and grasslands for food production). This is part of the work being undertaken in the Ecological Infrastructure Output High-level indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

3.1.9. Accounts for 3.1.9.1 Prioritise species of special concern for which data are Low road Scientific Authority species of special available and would most benefit from production of concern accounts

3.1.9.2 Update and regularly produce existing accounts for species High road DFFE, SANBI, Stats SA

3.1.9.3 Produce and regularly update accounts for prioritised species High road DFFE, SANBI, Stats SA SEEA EA guidelines identify three high-level species accounting concerns: categories are obviously not always mutually exclusive. Rhinos, for species important for ecosystem services, species of conservation concern, example, are of conservation concern and are also important to ecosystem and species important for ecosystem condition. The accounts developed in functioning as megaherbivores, have enormous cultural significance and SA through the NCAVES project focused on species of special concern, are a massive drawcard in South Africa’s tourism sector. These have namely black and white rhino, and the cycad plant group. These three National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 69 provided a useful pilot and role players are keen to see them regularly Scientific Authority is active nationally in all nine provinces of South Africa, updated. and is also represented on delegations to international meetings such as the CITES Plants and Animals Committees and the Conference of Parties to In deciding which species to focus on, species experts at the national CITES. The members of the Scientific Authority include one representative Scientific Authority were consulted. The Scientific Authority is convened by from each of the nine provincial conservation agencies of South Africa, SANBI to assist with regulating trade in species, including CITES-listed together with representatives from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries species. The Scientific Authority was involved in the validation process of and the Environment, SANBI, SANParks, and the National Zoological the accounts, and institutions represented on the Scientific Authority will Garden. co-create interpreted products from the accounts once published. The Output High-level indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

3.1.10. Accounts 3.1.10.1 Clarify a biodiversity economy framework Low road DFFE, Stats SA, related to the SANBI, UNEP biodiversity 3.1.10.2 Produce a satellite account for the biodiversity economy Low road DFFE, Stats SA, economy SANBI

3.1.10.3 Regularly produce and update accounts related to the High road DFFE, Stats SA, biodiversity economy SANBI, SANParks The biodiversity economy encompasses businesses and other economic evidence of the contribution of the biodiversity sector to jobs, economic activities that either directly depend on biodiversity for their core business growth and development. Clarifying the framework for the biodiversity or that contribute to conservation of biodiversity through their activities. economy is an important activity. Accounts related to the biodiversity economy will provide credible Output High-level indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

3.1.11. Ocean 3.1.11.1 Ocean Accounts Framework that adapts and extends the Low road DFFE, CPUT, NRF, accounts concepts of the SNA, SEEA-CF and SEEA-EA to apply better to Global Ocean the ocean applied Accounts

3.1.11.2 Compilation of ocean accounts Low road Partnership, SAEON Ocean accounts relate to ocean assets as natural capital and as defined by timber, aquatic resources, other biological resources, water, and the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP): “Recording the physical ecosystems including biodiversity. Ocean Accounts are fundamentally a status and condition, and monetary value, of marine and coastal collection of accounts (or modules) that are organised in terms of a environmental assets including minerals and energy, land and soil, coastal conceptual framework. These accounts may be implemented selectively National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 70 depending on national priorities, data availability and technical capacity. Overall, the framework describes: interactions between the economy and Stakeholder engagement highlighted links between ocean economy and the environment, the stocks and changes in stocks of environmental assets food and cultural services and questions around how species fit into the (natural capital) that provide benefits to people, and social and governance biodiversity economy and ocean economy. factors affecting the status and condition of environmental assets and associated benefits.” Output High-level indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

3.1.12 Accounts 3.1.12.1 Explore accounts related to agriculture and food security High road DFFE, DALRRD related to 3.1.12.2 Explore accounts of Strategic Agricultural Areas High road DFFE, DALRRD agriculture and food security Accounts related to agriculture and food security would be new accounts value chain, informed by the SEEA framework of accounts, and influenced and their compilation guided by a Technical Working Group (refer to by what is useful for South Africa (feedback loop to Goal 1). Institutional Mechanisms), evaluated against principles of the statistical Output High-level indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

3.1.13. Natural 3.1.13.1 Publish natural capital accounts in the Natural Capital Series Low road Stats SA Capital Series 3.1.13.2 Natural capital accounts publications and associated Low road Stats SA publications of spreadsheets are available and accessible accounts 3.1.13.3 Explore serving of users’ basic demands from natural capital High road Stats SA accounts on Stats SA’s online self-service platforms Publication of accounts in the Natural Capital Series is possible with existing resources in Stats SA but is constrained by available capacity to be involved in Technical Working Groups and manage the publication process. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 71 SO 3.2. Standards, prescripts and methods for compiling natural capital accounts are used, improved and documented to ensure reliable, regular and standardised statistics and indicators for natural capital Current environmental statistics are characterised by a variety of compilation processes. Insightful, credible evidence requires statistics that independent producers that produce statistics of variable quality, not are comparable and relevant. The outputs in this strategic objective will bound by accepted principles, standards and frameworks in the contribute to achieving this strategic objective. Output High-level indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

3.2.1. Internationally 3.2.1.1 Stats SA adopts the System of Environmental Economic Low road Stats SA Requires no additional resources approved/agreed Accounting Ecosystem Accounts standards, principles 3.2.1.2 Promote the adoption of the System of Environmental Low-high Stats SA, DFFE, , Could require additional time in Stats SA capacity and recommendations Economic Accounting Central Framework and Ecosystem road UNSD for compiling accounts Accounts Adoption of the SEEA CF and SEEA EA by other co-implementing entities about their role in the SEEA being adopted by partners. The SEEA is an could be advantageous. The Ocean Accounts Framework has adopted the example of an internationally approved or agreed standard and SEEA. Engagement around the SEEA and what it is would be needed to recommendations. It is not the only one. build the readiness in these entities, and Stats SA would need to think Output High-level indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

3.2.2. Sources and 3.2.1.1 Investigate estimates of confidence and how to responsibly High road Stats SA, universities methods for address levels of confidence and data limitations with compiling accounts implications for interpretation

3.2.2.2 Develop guidance for producing quality sources and methods High road Stats SA, SANBI reports for spatially explicit accounts and ensure it is used by any institution compiling accounts

3.2.2.3 Ensure sources and methods reports are completed for all Low road Stats SA Constrained by available capacity. More capacity accounts and stored in a repository of sources and methods will be needed as the number of accounts documents increases.

3.2.2.4 Collaborate to test, refine and evolve software to support Low-high Stats SA, SANBI, Some capacity in SANBI and Stats SA through compilation of accounts road UKZN CWRR, donor-funded projects. Not sustainable. potentially DFFE, WRC National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 72 As described in the broad process for developing accounts (see Figure 3 in refer to data used and a data catalogue of spatial data (see Strategic the strategy), the development of sources and methods reports for Objective 4.1). Quality assurance of sources and methods reports will compiling accounts is essential. With a growing number of entities involved require capacity in Stats SA and of experts in relation to the account or sets in compiling accounts, guidance for producing quality sources and methods of accounts. reports would be advantageous. The sources and methods reports would Output High-level indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

3.2.3. Ad hoc 3.2.3.1 Ad hoc technical reference groups to guide NCA methods, High road Stats SA, DFFE, technical reference prescripts and standards established or convened as needed SANBI groups to guide 3.2.3.2 Ad hoc technical reference groups to guide NCA methods, High road Stats SA, DFFE, NCA methods, prescripts and standards established or convened as needed, SANBI prescripts and e.g. to ensure credibility of methods involved in developing standards monetary accounts This output contributes to the strategic objective of standards, prescripts methodological development of certain types or sets of accounts that are and methods for compiling natural capital accounts being adopted, very new, and have wide-ranging implications (e.g. supply and use improved and documented to ensure reliable, regular and standardised accounts in monetary terms for ecosystem services) or towards statistics and indicators for natural capital. This speaks to review and guide development of guidance for the NCA community. Output High-level indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

3.2.4. Official 3.2.4.1 Explore certification of priority indicators based on natural Stats SA statistics capital accounts as “official statistics” in terms of SASQAF. This output will provide indicators from natural capital accounts being published as official statistics, which means that they have met all the requirements for ‘official statistics’ in terms of SASQAF, including that they can be published regularly. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 73 GOAL 4. Capacity and data for accounts are well developed and robust SO 4.1. Data standards, classifications, definitions and sharing are strengthened for regular compilation of an integrated suite of accounts An integrated suite of natural capital accounts relies on integrating spatial data from multiple sources inside and outside governments. “Put simply, linking data about people and businesses to a place or geographic location, and its integration with geospatial information through the medium of location, can result in an improved understanding of social, economic, and environmental issues; much greater than is possible if viewing statistical or geospatial information in isolation.” (United Nations 2019). This strategic objective has three outputs. Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

4.1.1. Spatial data 4.1.1.1 Further develop and maintain the Basic Spatial Unit (BSU) grids and Low road Stats SA, infrastructure for NCA primary master layers for South Africa in consultation with the DARRLD NGI, are developed and Committee for Spatial Information data sub-committee and other SANBI expanded stakeholders.

4.1.1.2 Maintain a geographic information archive of spatial data used as Low road Stats SA, data Stats SA Geography Division primary and secondary ecosystem accounting area in the compilation providers of natural capital accounts published by Stats SA (would not apply to spatial data of accounts not published by Stats SA).

4.1.1.3 Develop, maintain and serve supporting material (metadata and Low-high Stats SA, SAEON, semantics framework) on the spatial data infrastructure for NCA. road SANBI As highlighted in the Global Statistical Geospatial Framework (UN 2019), a datasets as to the boundaries used to define ecosystem accounting areas national spatial data infrastructure that provides principles and processes (e.g. in the case of the coastline, there are multiple boundaries driven by for harmonising spatial data is important. The spatial data infrastructure different purposes/interests). for NCA needs to be developed and expanded to support accounts beyond The spatial data infrastructure should be in line with a geo-enabled the SA mainland ecosystem accounting area, to the SA marine and statistical system for SA, for which there is a need to maintain the geo- ultimately also the Prince Edward Islands mainland and marine ecosystem spatial archives of data, following geo-data regulations and standards. accounting areas. It is important that this is done in consultation with the Stakeholders added that a library of scripts, code and processes was also Committee for Spatial Information (CSI) convened by DALRRD and in which important. Stakeholders also raised the need to focus on metadata as well Stats SA already has a role. ‘Other stakeholders’ refers to the need, in some as the data itself. A central repository of metadata is needed, which would cases, to facilitate processes towards agreement by custodians of various indicate what data are publicly available from the source or not. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 74 Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

4.1.2. Data standards, 4.1.2.1 Define data format and quality criteria for account-ready data Low-high Stats SA, NGI, SAEON, Possibly with existing capacity classifications, road CSIR definitions and 4.1.2.2 Metadata guidelines, standards, and prescripts High road Stats SA, NGI, SAEON quality assurance for

4.1.2.3 Expand South African Statistical Quality Assessment Framework High road Stats SA (SANSS) NCA amended or (SASQAF) to consider spatial and environmental data quality developed

4.1.2.4 Develop and maintain guidelines, standards and/or prescripts for High road Stats SA, SANBI, CSIR metadata and for data providers to improve the account-readiness of data

4.1.2.5 Influencing geospatial information standards and prescriptions High road Stats SA, Committee through SDI Regulations and/or SASDI Compliance Guidelines for Spatial Information (published in terms of the SDI Act, 2003) to facilitate sharing, (CSI) integration and standardisation of spatial information relevant to natural capital accounts

4.1.2.6 Develop a Standard for National Ecosystem Classification System Low road Stats SA, SANBI 2020-2021 Existing Stats SA and SANBI staff The quality of the accounts starts at the data provider. The data in question develop the data, capacity and community able to service the needs for will depend on the accounts in question. There will be some data NCA in South Africa. standards, classification, definitions and quality criteria that will be specific to specific data but general principles, recommendations will be possible. What we learnt through engagement that is useful for implementation: It is important that this is captured to build knowledge and guidance  There is a need to focus on metadata as well as the data itself. available, support standardisation, reduce effort over time and further Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

4.1.3. Data sharing 4.1.3.1 Identify essential datasets and their minimum requirements for priority Low road Stats SA, SANBI, NMU, arrangements in place accounts (refer to Goal 3), and create a data catalogue with linkages to DWS, DFFE, CSIR to improve CSI data sub-committee and data custodians synchronisation and 4.1.3.2 Collaborate with data producers to produce and continue to produce Low-high Stats SA, various data collaboration to time series data to support more updated accounts at appropriate road providers increase data offering frequency (will be enabled by activities in 4.1.2) and frequency 4.1.3.3 Explore the use and value of alternative data sources (integration of High road SAEON, CSIR accounts datasets, combining data from different sources, big data) to fill data gaps for priority accounts

4.1.3.4 Improve data on condition across all realms High road DFFE, SANBI, DALRRD, DWS National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 75 Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

4.1.3.5 Land cover dataset is regularly produced at a national level and aligned Low-high DFFE Basic LC change report DFFE to the census cycle of Stats SA road every year, new SANLC dataset, every 3-5 years

4.1.3.6 Explore SASQAF-type standards for data modelling, visualisation and Low-high SAEON analysis options to facilitate credible linkages with natural capital road accounts

4.1.3.7 Strategically review and explore opportunities to improve Stats SA data High road to improve linkages with natural capital accounts Data sharing arrangements are important to clarify roles and explore alternative data sources to fill gaps, including exploring responsibilities in relation to data important to regular production of opportunities to draw from or get more from Stats SA data. Some of the accounts (with priority on those on the low-road funding scenario). This indicative activities in this strategic objective speak to known priorities for output is not only about data sharing arrangements to share available data accounts (such as around ecosystem condition data across all realms, or for compiling accounts, but also speaks to increasing the data offering. land cover dataset). SAEON was an active participant at the national Activities towards this include identifying essential datasets and their stakeholder workshop. They highlighted that big data have several issues, minimum requirements for priority accounts (those in Goal 3), identifying and that exploring big data for NCA needs to be on the high road and they and developing collaborations to produce and update time series data, and would be a role player. SO 4.2. Capacity and skills for NCA grow Formal, non-formal and informal ways of building capacity and skills are recommended in this strategic objective, such as through influencing formal continuing education and/or skills programmes, influencing research initiatives, less formal training workshops or learning exchanges to enhance technical capacity, and events that bring together a community of practice to share learning and build networks. Stats SA has limited capacity and expertise to support this strategic objective, and collaboration with relevant partners and role players will be essential to see progress against outputs in this strategic objective. This strategic objective has four outputs. Output Indicative activities Funding scenario Key role players Timeframe Resources

4.2.1. Review of 4.2.1.1 Regularly review the capacity requirements needed to develop natural High road capacity requirements capital accounts and availability 4.2.1.2 Review and identify the capacity factors (skills, technology and High road Stats SA, SAEON, resources) that promote and/or inhibit the growth and expansion of SANBI, CSIR, DSI accounts

4.2.1.3 Review the technology landscape and requirements (proprietary vs High road open source; solutions orientation rather than software dependent) National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 76 The output is a high-road output to understand the capacity requirements important to include in this review as proprietary GIS software is becoming and availability as the NCA body of work grows. The indicative activities are very expensive. Most government departments have stopped using ESRI to regularly review the capacity requirements needed to develop natural due to the cost, and/or are moved towards QGIS. It will be important to capital accounts. Using the National NCA Forum as an opportunity to look at the technology that will be reliable in the future, and decide on survey needs should be considered. Another activity is to review and which to invest in and teach people how to use. identify the capacity factors (skills, technology and resources) that promote and/or inhibit the growth and expansion of accounts and review The review should also highlight where there are already learning the technology landscape and requirements (proprietary vs open source; events/courses/platforms that can be used. For example, SAEON offers GIS solutions orientation rather than software dependent). Stakeholders courses. highlighted that the technological landscape and requirements were Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

4.2.2. Formal, non- 4.2.2.1 Learning events held to increase capacity to produce and Low-high SAEON, SANBI formal and informal interpret accounts (e.g. online webinars, learning exchanges) road learning events 4.2.2.2 Develop NCA capacity building materials for learning events Low-high Stats SA, SANBI 2021-2023 Limited capacity through road EI4WS Project

4.2.2.3 Maintain an online repository of recorded training events High road SAEON, Stats SA, and materials SANBI, UNSD, UNEP

4.2.2.4 Spatial data representation, visualisation and presentation High road courses to make the information from accounts more accessible.

4.2.2.5 Formal raster training (in appropriate software) to enable High road production of accounts is developed and rolled out

4.2.2.6 Develop skills in data science to create data ecosystems that High road Stats SA, others improve lives

4.2.2.7 Knowledge / learning exchange with other countries High road Formal, non-formal and informal learning events should ideally address NCA Coordination Unit or NCA Strategic Advisory Group (i.e. on the low- capacity needs identified in the review of output 4.2.1. However, learning road funding scenario without the capacity review, which will only be events are still possible and valuable to address needs identified by the achieved with additional funding). National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 77 Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

4.2.3 National NCA 4.2.3.1 Conceptualise programme, schedule and content to enhance Low road Stats SA, DFFE, SANBI, Bi-annually Stats SA Forum information sharing, learning and gathering of knowledge to WRC support advancing NCA in South Africa SANBI and WRC support

4.2.3.2 Coordinate programme development, stakeholder liaison, Low-high Stats SA, DFFE, SANBI, through the EI4WS until 2023 event management and logistics road WRC

4.2.3.3 Consolidate materials before and after event for information Low-high Stats SA, DFFE, SANBI, Additional capacity would be sharing and management road WRC beneficial

4.2.3.4 Support the Africa NCA Community of Practice Low road Stats SA, DFFE, SANBI Stats SA & SANBI

4.2.3.5 Host an Africa NCA Community of Practice Forum High road Stats SA, DFFE, SANBI The National NCA Forum is an important event in bringing together the Africa NCA Community of Practice convened by the World Bank. With NCA community of practice to share, learn and build networks. Forum further resources, South Africa could also host an African NCA Forum. NCA participation is not limited to national NCA stakeholders and participants, has been a focus of discussion at the African Ministerial Conference on the but could include key international or regional participants. Support to the Environment (AMCEN), and South Africa currently holds the AMCEN Africa NCA community of practice is included here and includes being an Presidency. active member of the Steering Committee of the recently established Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

4.2.4. Research and 4.2.4.1 Work with tertiary institutions to influence formal continuing education High road WRC, SANBI, CSIR, innovation hub to drive and/or skills programmes to improve the quality and relevance of skills DSI advancements in NCA produced for NCA and support a pipeline of 4.2.4.2 Supplement existing formal education/skills programmes through guest High road expertise lectures, internship opportunities and the like

4.2.4.3 Actively engage with tertiary institutions to influence research initiatives to High road [Universities] support advancements in NCA methodologies in South Africa

4.2.4.4 Nurture a high-end skills pipeline for NCA in SA, including bursaries, Centres High road [DSI, NRF] of Excellence and research chairs

4.2.4.5 Engage DSI about development of research and innovation hub for NCA High road NMU, SAEON, DSI

4.2.4.6 Identify research areas/questions that research institutions can help to High road DFFE, SANBI, Stats address SA National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 78 This is a high-road output of a research hub at a university(ies) to drive the indicative activities that do not need to be limited to a particular advancements in NCA and support a pipeline of expertise. An example of research hub, namely: such a hub was given of the Institute for Coastal and Marine Research  Formal continuing education and/or skills programmes to improve (CMR) – a research entity of the Nelson Mandela University involved in the skills relevant to NCA do not need to be limited to a particular Ocean Accounts Framework. Additional capacity will be needed to see research hub. progress in this output. A suggestion is that expertise at institutions such  Influencing research initiatives to support advancements in NCA as CSIR or DSI might exist to help identify/clarify what research capacity to methodologies. invest in and use. While one or more research hub is the output that would  Identifying research areas/questions to feed into the research make a large contribution to the strategic objective, there are several of community. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 79 GOAL 5. NCA is well resourced, underpinned by effective and collaborative institutional arrangements SO 5.1. Institutional arrangements to advance NCA collaboration and coordination is stronger Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

5.1.1 NCA Strategic 5.1.1.1 NCA Strategic Advisory Group meets regularly to guide the implementation of the Low road Stats SA, SANBI, 1-2 times a Stats SA, Advisory Group National NCA Strategy, including to explore and improve institutional cooperation DFFE, DWS, National year EI4WS Project 2020- and coordination for NCA Treasury, DSI, WRC, 2023

5.1.1.2 Review progress on the implementation of the strategy, give advice on scheduling DPME, DARRLD, NBI and priorities for publication, reflect on institutional cooperation and coordination, and consider the need for additional institutional mechanisms The NCA Strategic Advisory Group is an essential institutional mechanism to advance collaboration and coordination for NCA and provide multi-sectoral guidance in the implementation of the National NCA Strategy. Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

5.1.2. Formal and 5.1.2.1 Do network analysis annually as a means of identifying emerging partnerships and Low road Stats SA, WRC, Annually Stats SA DD informal strategic monitoring institutional involvement (links to indicative activity in Output 1.1.1) SANBI EI4WS support partnerships 5.1.2.2 Develop a theory of change to help stakeholders locate themselves in the work Low road SANBI Once-off SANBI Policy Advisor & EI4WS-funded NCA project manager

5.1.2.3 Establish formal and informal partnerships with strategic data providers, co- Low road Stats SA As required Stats SA producers and users (national and international) to increase stock of data sources and compile accounts

5.1.2.4 Explore public-private collaborations (national and international) to produce and High road NBI, SIACA, SWPN, As required apply accounts WWF, BASA: Sustainability subcommittee, Chamber of Mines, SALGA, AgriSA. Stats SA, SANBI, DFFE, DWS, NT, DSI, WRC, DPME, DARRLD, CSIR National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 80 Stats SA has historically produced most of its economic and demographic  A formal service level agreement between Stats SA and DWS around statistics in-house. However, the trend globally is for national statistics water-related accounts. offices to be seen as co-ordinators and custodians of statistics, and to work  An informal partnership between Stats SA, DFFE and SANBI to in partnership with other organs of state. NCA is inherently multi- collaborate around satellite accounts for the biodiversity economy. disciplinary and cross-sectoral, and Stats SA does not have the capacity or expertise required to produce the full range of natural capital accounts in-  A formal memorandum of understanding. house. This means that collaboration and partnerships with departments  Public-private partnerships. and entities are essential for taking forward the production of natural capital accounts, with clear setting out of roles and responsibilities. Stakeholders provided a number of recommendations of private sector Formal and informal strategic partnerships may be formed around specific institutions and/or industry bodies that represent major drivers of change priority accounts or sets of accounts that contribute to a broader area of in natural capital with whom to explore public-private collaborations. interest. Examples of formal and informal strategic partnerships include: Output Indicative activities Funding scenario Key role players Timeframe Resources

5.1.3. Coordination 5.1.3.1 NCA Coordination Unit coordinates available resources and tracks Low road SANBI, Stats SA Ongoing SANBI NCA Project Manager of the National NCA progress on implementation (2021-2023), Stats SA thereafter Strategy 5.1.3.2 Identify and resource a National NCA Strategy manager to oversee High road Stats SA, SANBI 2021- Requires funding the implementation of the strategy ongoing

5.1.3.3 Further develop the National NCA Strategy’s implementation plan Low road Stats SA, SANBI, 2021/2022 Could be achieved with available with monitoring and evaluation framework DFFE capacity Coordination of the National NCA Strategy will be supported by the NCA Accounts directorate in Stats SA and realigning existing capacity where Coordination Unit, convened by Stats SA and SANBI with the two contact possible, a National NCA Strategy manager is needed to coordinate and points being Stats SA Deputy Director: Environmental Economic Accounts, champion the implementation of the strategy. This person should have Robert Parry (robertp@statssa.gov.za) and SANBI NCA Project Manager, interpersonal experience and skills to facilitate partnerships, convene Aimee Ginsburg (a.ginsburg@sanbi.org.za). However, capacity to processes, and technical ability to successfully manage and advance NCA. coordinate the full breadth of the strategy, even the low-road activities, is heavily constrained. In addition to expanding the Environmental-Economic National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 81 SO 5.2. National and donor-funded support for NCA in South Africa has increased Support is interpreted both in terms of financial support (national and international) and capacity of national officials with NCA-related work in their job descriptions. NCA should be seen as needing continuous funding as an ongoing initiative funded by government, because of the usefulness of accounts for all line ministries. While funding opportunities through funding proposals and donors should be sought, long-term ongoing support within government should also be sought. This strategic objective has four outputs. Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

5.2.1. Expanded 5.2.1.1 Active participation in the development of the National Strategy for the Low road Stats SA Three Stats SA staff Environmental- Development of Statistics (NSDS) to strengthen environmental subsystem Economic Accounts 5.2.1.2 Actively seek to integrate NCA into the revision of Stats SA Strategic Plan for Low road Stats SA directorate within 2025/26 to 2029/30 Stats SA 5.2.1.3 Environmental division within Stats SA is expanded High road Stats SA Additional resources required Stats SA currently maintains a small team that has produced support for NCA in South Africa. Strengthening the environmental environmental-economic accounts. Even in the context of more subsystem in the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics collaboration and partnerships to compile natural capital accounts, this (NSDS) and in future versions of the Stats SA Strategic Plan are also division needs to be expanded to ensure Stats SA is able to play important indicative activities that will support this output. Inter-departmental roles as the statistical authority and engage in a growing number of internal arrangements in which people are seconded from different departments and external processes. An expanded Environmental-Economic Accounts was raised during stakeholder engagement, and could be further explored directorate within Stats SA is a critical output and would indicate national in the further development of this indicative implementation plan. Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

5.2.2. Expanded 5.2.2.1 Identify officials with technical expertise to undertake NCA-related spatial work Low road Stats SA 2021-2022 capacity in Stats SA 5.2.2.2 Amend KPAs to include activities supportive of the spatial data infrastructure for Low road Stats SA >2022 Existing capacity Geography division NCA and other activities in Goal 4 Stats SA has capacity in the Geography division that is necessary to support activities that could be undertaken with existing capacity and built into job the implementation of the strategy under Goal 4. There are low-road descriptions in upcoming years. National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 82 Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

5.2.3. Increased 5.2.3.1 Explore opportunity to allocate government funding for NCA (e.g. within DPME akin Low road Stats SA, DPME commitment of to funding the SDGs) national resources to 5.2.3.2 Identify officials for NCA-related work and realign job descriptions to include NCA- Low-high Depends on the NCA in a range of related activities road accounts in question; departments DFFE, DWS, SANBI, others As highlighted in Strategic Objective 5.1, collaboration and partnerships responsible for ensuring and/or preparing accounts-ready data, and with departments and entities are essential for taking forward the building capacity to compile accounts, which can then be assessed and production of natural capital accounts. Part of having NCA being well approved by Stats SA for quality assurance. This commitment could come resourced will therefore also involve increased commitment of national at various levels and will be specific to the department and accounts in resources in a range of departments. For example, the regular production question. of water accounts over the long term will likely require officials in DWS Output Indicative activities Funding Key role players Timeframe Resources scenario

5.2.4. Increased 5.2.4.1 Identify funding opportunities in relation to specific priority accounts Low-high road Stats SA, SANBI, DFFE, Ongoing, ad Possible with existing donor-funding in (e.g. Green Climate Fund, linking to build back better stimulus package, DBSA hoc capacity but could be NCA GEF 8) supported by dedicated

5.2.4.2 Co-develop and submit funding proposals Low-high road Stats SA, SANBI, capacity, especially in WRC,WWF (any other develop funding proposals. relevant entity) National NCA Strategy

5.2.4.3 Engage with potential donors around the National NCA Strategy and Low-high road Stats SA, SANBI DFFE, manager could support priority accounts that require additional resources to compile P4G, others this. Donor funding has played an important enabling role in the development Group if necessary. Further, it identifies key role players to engage in of natural capital accounts, especially ecosystem accounts, over the past relation to a specific account or set of accounts (to unpack more detail with seven years. While the first three outputs address expansion and respect to types of accounts tables, key datasets, update frequency, realignment of job descriptions of existing officials to make progress available capacity, etc.). initially on low-road activities, increased donor funding will further enable implementation of high-road activities. The strategy helps to identify a range of funding priorities, which can be further expanded upon by the NCA Coordination Unit with guidance from the NCA Strategic Advisory National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 83 3. Draft Monitoring and Evaluation Framework GOAL 1. NCA is used for integrated planning, decision-making, monitoring and evaluation across a range of sectors SO 1.1. Increased use of natural capital accounts-based indicators and information for SO 1.2. Public discourse stimulated with information from NCA high-level and sectoral policies and planning Strategic objective indicator: Strategic objective indicator:  Natural capital accounts referred to in priority policies and plans influenced by  Increased uptake of NCA in the media the strategic engagements held and identified in the value propositions OUTPUTS INDICATORS OUTPUTS INDICATORS

1.1.1. Strategic engagement  Report produced regularly 1.2.1. Communication  Cooperate with communications staff from Stats SA to identify and dialogue report and advocacy plan to opportunities to share NCA information create and use  Create standing agenda item on NCA-based indicators and

1.1.2. NCA value proposition  Value proposition statement developed opportunities to share information in the annual State of Environment Reporting statements for public sector information from Community of Practice workshops natural capital  Develop and roll out a communication and advocacy plan for

1.1.3. NCA value proposition  Value proposition statement developed accounts NCA statement for private sector

1.1.4. Uptake and use of NCA  Track use of NCA publications and indicators in the IIF 1.2.2. Communication  Number of communication channels used accounts synthesis report that draw information from natural capital accounts channels for NCA  Number of people on NCA list of stakeholders  Evaluate value created through implementation of information  Number of partner websites serving information about NCA NCA  Number of products and downloads from Stats SA website  Capture stories of change National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 84 GOAL 2. NCA offers credible evidence of how nature supports people and the economy SO 2.1. Statistics and information are drawn from natural capital accounts, providing evidence of how nature SO 2.2. Documentation of practice, lessons and guidance contribute to supports people and the economy NCA knowledge Strategic objective indicator: Strategic objective indicator:  Number of accounts from which interpreted products are developed  Knowledge products cited OUTPUTS INDICATORS OUTPUTS INDICATORS

2.1.1. NCA communication materials  Number of communication materials (disaggregated 2.2.1. Written contributions  Number of written contributions by by type) to development of global, Stats SA (or others) regional and national

2.1.2. Interpreted products from natural capital  Number of interpreted products standards and methodology accounts that communicate their relevance and content

2.1.3. A set of natural resource headline  Number of headline indicators from accounts 2.2.2. Best-practice note  Number of best practice notes indicators drawn from natural capital accounts  Number of indicators in the IIF that draw information and/or peer-reviewed  Number of peer-reviewed literature from natural capital accounts literature related to natural capital accounts in

2.1.4. Reports that integrate information from  Number of reports South Africa more than one account National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 85 GOAL 3. An integrated suite of natural capital accounts is produced based on best-available methods SO 3.1. Regularly compile and publish an integrated suite of natural capital accounts SO 3.2. Standards, prescripts and methods for compiling natural capital accounts are used, improved and documented Strategic objective indicator: Strategic objective indicator:  Number of accounts regularly compiled and published  Number of downloads/requests for standards, prescripts or methods OUTPUTS INDICATORS OUTPUTS INDICATORS

3.1.1. Accounts related to surface and groundwater  Number of accounts compiled 3.2.1. Internationally  Number of institutions adopting the SEEA (distinguish those compiled as a once- approved/agreed

3.1.2. Accounts related to energy off and those compiled regularly) standards, principles and

3.1.3. Accounts related to carbon and greenhouse gas emissions  Number of technical working groups recommendations for compiling accounts

3.1.4. Accounts related to mineral resources

3.1.5. Accounts related to ecosystems across all realms 3.2.2. Sources and  Number of sources and methods reports

3.1.6. Land accounts methods for compiling accounts

3.1.7. Accounts related to protection of natural environment

3.1.8 Accounts related to ecological infrastructure 3.2.3. Ad hoc technical  Ad hoc technical reference group reference groups to established (as needed)

3.1.9 Accounts for species of special concern guide NCA methods,

3.1.10 Accounts related to the biodiversity economy prescripts and standards

3.1.11. Ocean accounts

3.1.12. Accounts related to agriculture and food security

3.1.13. Natural Capital Series publications of accounts  Number of Natural Capital Series 3.2.4. Official statistics  Number of official statistics drawn from publications accounts National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 86 GOAL 4. NCA offers credible evidence of how nature supports people and the economy SO 4.1. Data standards, classifications, definitions and sharing are strengthened for SO 4.2. Capacity and skills for NCA grow regular compilation of integrated suite of accounts Strategic objective indicator: Strategic objective indicator:  Increased collaboration around data for accounts  Number of people compiling or interpreting accounts (survey at NCA Forum) OUTPUTS INDICATORS OUTPUTS INDICATORS

4.1.1. Spatial data  Technical document for BSU 4.2.1. Review of capacity  Review completed infrastructure for NCA is  Technical documents for primary master layers requirements and  Review updated (every 5 years developed and expanded  Geographic information archive of spatial data availability

4.2.2. Formal, non-formal  Number of learning events

4.1.2. Data standards,  Number of data standards, classifications, and informal learning classifications, definitions and definitions amended/developed events quality assurance for NCA amended or developed 4.2.3 National NCA  Number of forums held Forum

4.1.3. Data sharing  List of essential datasets and their minimum arrangements in place to requirements

4.2.4. Research and  Formal continuing education and/or skills programmes improve synchronisation and  Number of data sharing arrangements collaboration to increase data innovation hub to drive influenced offering and frequency advancements in NCA  Research and innovation hub influenced accounts and support a pipeline of expertise National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021) STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 87 GOAL 5. NCA is well resourced, underpinned by effective and collaborative institutional arrangements SO 5.1. Institutional arrangements to advance NCA collaboration and coordination are SO 5.2. National and donor-funded support for NCA in South Africa has increased stronger Strategic objective indicator: Strategic objective indicator:  Multi-year Memorandum of Understanding or service level agreements to  Value of national and donor-funded support regularly produce national-level natural capital accounts in line with best practice OUTPUTS INDICATORS OUTPUTS INDICATORS

5.1.1 NCA Strategic  NCA Strategic Advisory Group established (terms of reference) 5.2.1. Expanded  Number of staff in Environmental-Economic Accounts Advisory Group  NCA Strategic Advisory Group meets at least once a year Environmental- directorate (evidenced by minutes) Economic Accounts  Mention of NCA / Environmental-Economic Accounts in Stats directorate within Stats SA Strategic Plan for 2025/26–2029/30 SA

5.1.2. Formal and  Network analysis report 5.2.2. Expanded  NCA-related activities included in job descriptions of existing informal strategic  Service level agreements capacity in Stats SA officials partnerships  Informal partnerships (minutes of meetings) Geography division  Public-private partnership (contract)

5.2.3. Increased  National resources committed commitment of  NCA-related activities included in job descriptions of existing national resources to officials

5.1.3. Coordination  NCA Coordination Unit minutes NCA in a range of  Value of resources committed of the National  National NCA Strategy manager departments NCA Strategy  National NCA Strategy implementation plan 5.2.4. Increased donor  Number of funding proposals  National NCA Strategy monitoring and evaluation framework funding in NCA  Value of donor funding National Natural Capital Accounting Strategy, A ten-year strategy for advancing Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, Report 04-01-00 (June 2021)