IDEEA Group Director, Mark Eigenraam, is currently in Saudi Arabia leading a UNEP project that demonstrates the potential of natural capital accounting for ecosystems across the Kingdom. The project brings together data and expertise to help the Government of Saudi Arabia better understand the value and health of its natural environments.
Working closely with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), Mark is identifying key data sources and applying the standard methods of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) to compile an initial set of ecosystem accounts. These accounts provide a structured way to quantify the services ecosystems provide, highlighting the importance of maintaining and improving their health.
A key goal of the project is to build insights into how ecosystem health contributes to sustainable development in Saudi Arabia. The work will also support future assessments of the impacts of land degradation and guide more integrated approaches to environmental data management across government agencies.
This initiative builds on IDEEA Group’s previous collaboration with the General Authority on Statistics (GASTAT), where the team supported the development of accounts for land, water, agriculture, solid waste and energy in line with the SEEA. Extending this work to ecosystem accounts for the whole country strengthens the foundation for evidence-based environmental decision-making.
Over the past three years, steady investments in building capacity for natural capital accounting across Saudi institutions are creating a richer evidence base for policy and planning. By better understanding the value of the country’s ecosystems, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself to make more informed decisions that protect natural resources while supporting sustainable development.