MAIA Project

MAIA uses the System of Environmental Economic Accounting – Experimental Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA-EEA) as the methodological basis for NCA. The SEEA EEA is a system for NCA developed under auspices of the UN Statistical Commission, and provides a consistent framework for analysing and storing information on ecosystem assets and flows of ecosystem services (UN et al., 2017). The SEEA is part of the System of National Accounts, used by statistical agencies world-wide for the production of economic and other statistics. In MAIA, a flexible approach will be followed, allowing for adaptation of the SEEA EEA framework to the conditions of the individual EU MS. The work is based on the detailed, recent technical recommendations in support of Experimental Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EEA TR), published by UN et al. (2017), recognising the experimental status of the SEEA EEA approach. The specific objectives of MAIA are to (1) assess policy priorities for accounting, (2) test, pilot and mainstream NCA in EU MS, (3) test innovative approaches for NCA in the European context, (4) support NCA in EU MS through various communication and dissemination activities. MAIA is a Horizon 2020 project aimed at promoting and developing the System of Environmental Economic Accounting in the EU and associated countries. MAIA is coordinated by Wageningen University and Research, and has 18 partners in 10 countries. The project will be implemented from 1 November 2018 to 31 October 2022