Statistics New Zealand's environmental accounts measure the value and volume of many of New Zealand's natural resources while identifying which industries use these natural resources.
This work follows an international lead to provide environmental information that complements traditional measures of economic activity such as gross domestic product.
The environmental accounts are compiled using the United Nations Integrated System of Environmental and Economic Accounting (SEEA) framework; a satellite system to the System of National Accounts.
Producing environmental information on an accounting framework allows direct comparisons between environmental and economic information. For example, measures of energy efficiency compare economic activity with energy use.