Technical Information: Economy:
Our thriving, sustainable economy conserves and grows our natural assets
Last updated: 11 January 2024
Natural capital accounts
Indicator Updated: 11 January 2024
| Year | Value of Natural Capital (M£) |
|---|---|
| 1998 | -286.48 |
| 1999 | -690.72 |
| 2000 | -433.52 |
| 2001 | -499.56 |
| 2002 | -380.44 |
| 2003 | 362.53 |
| 2004 | 473.85 |
| 2005 | 195.54 |
| 2006 | 429.68 |
| 2007 | 737.36 |
| 2008 | 843.51 |
| 2009 | 666.07 |
| 2010 | 1117.85 |
| 2011 | 3467.53 |
| 2012 | 3339.46 |
| 2013 | 3280.79 |
| 2014 | 3587.60 |
| 2015 | 3177.81 |
| 2016 | 4406.02 |
| 2017 | 3708.37 |
| 2018 | 3363.88 |
| 2019 | 3534.83 |
This indicator reports the annual monetary flows of the services supplied by Scotland’s natural capital, excluding flows created by fossil fuels. Natural capital accounts are reported under three categories – provisioning services that create products such as food, water and minerals, regulating services such as air pollution removal and carbon sequestration, and cultural services such as recreational use of nature.
The accounts give estimates of the quantity and value of services supplied by Scottish natural capital covering: agricultural biomass, fish capture, timber, water abstraction, minerals, renewable energy, carbon sequestration, air pollution removal, noise mitigation, urban cooling and recreation. Several ecosystem services are not measured in this assessment, so the monetary accounts should be interpreted as a partial or minimum value of Scottish natural capital.
Source: The data is produced by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and published by the Scottish Government. These are experimental statistics and remain under development. The most recent natural capital accounts report is available here.
Update Frequency: Annual
Further Information: NA
Natural capital asset index
Indicator Updated: 11 January 2024
| Year | Natural Capital Assest Index (relative to 2000) (-) |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 100.00 |
| 2001 | 100.16 |
| 2002 | 100.47 |
| 2003 | 100.75 |
| 2004 | 100.92 |
| 2005 | 101.22 |
| 2006 | 101.31 |
| 2007 | 101.27 |
| 2008 | 101.02 |
| 2009 | 100.66 |
| 2010 | 100.01 |
| 2011 | 99.56 |
| 2012 | 99.33 |
| 2013 | 99.57 |
| 2014 | 100.06 |
| 2015 | 100.86 |
| 2016 | 101.50 |
| 2017 | 102.16 |
| 2018 | 102.46 |
| 2019 | 102.58 |
| 2020 | 102.65 |
| 2021 | 102.66 |
This National Performance Framework indicator measures the ability which our natural assets have to provide ecosystem services to society (through measurements of their quantity and quality) now and into the future. The Natural Capital Asset Index (NCAI) is a composite index, based (i.e. equal to 100) in the year 2000.
It is recognised that at this point in time, the NCAI still requires further development and refinement. Scottish Government will continue to work closely with key stakeholders over time to develop the NCAI and other potential future measures
Source: The data is published by NatureScot. The most recent Natural Capital Asset Index report is here.
Update Frequency: Annual
Further Information: Natural Capital Asset Index indicator information is available on the National Performance Framework website. In addition, NatureScot have a Natural Capital Asset Index story map.