The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the "Strategy for Environmental Economic Accounts in India 2026-2030" document on October 7, 2026, as an extension of its previous 2022-2026 strategy. This comprehensive document provides a strategic roadmap for the development of environmental-economic accounting in India, building upon MoSPI's work since 2018 following the United Nations Statistical Commission-endorsed System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA).
The strategy aims to expand coverage to new subjects and enhance the scope of existing areas including forest accounts, mineral accounts, soil resources, land accounts, water accounts, carbon stock measurement, environment-related activities, biodiversity accounting, and environment statistics. These areas were selected based on recommendations from the "Green National Account in India A Framework" report and the SEEA-CF framework.
The document addresses existing data gaps, identifies potential data sources, outlines policy implications, and establishes a clear action plan for 2026-2030. It serves as a guidance tool for individual States and Union Territories to initiate or strengthen their environmental accounting work, facilitating a more systematic and coordinated approach across India. The strategy aligns with developments under System of National Accounts 2025, which recognizes natural resource accounting within the national accounting framework, strengthening the importance of environmental-economic accounting for understanding the links between natural resources, the economy, and the environment.