AN INTEROPERABILITY STRATEGY FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF SEEA ACCOUNTING

The document argues that current SEEA ecosystem service modeling is hindered by siloed data and duplicated efforts. It proposes a shift toward 'semantic interoperability'—where data and models carry machine-readable meaning—using the ARIES for SEEA Explorer as a proof-of-concept. The strategy outlines specific roles for data providers (using common ontologies), modelers (adopting modular design and provenance tracking), and hosting institutions (moving toward a peer-to-peer node system). Implementation is proposed through a four-step process: pilot testing, stakeholder engagement, establishing governance (potentially via UNCEEA), and capacity building.

• Current ecosystem service modeling platforms for SEEA often suffer from inefficiency because they "duplicate efforts, rely on data that are siloed, and rarely effectively reuse the knowledge gained from past modelling efforts."
• The ARIES Network enables high-level semantic interoperability, which allows a system to understand the meaning of exchanged data for appropriate reuse, distinguishing it from lower-level syntactic interoperability that only ensures compatible formats.
• To achieve semantic interoperability, data providers should use common ontologies and vocabularies, maintain spatial datasets as Open Geospatial Consortium services, and provide machine-accessible formats with APIs.
• Modelers are encouraged to move away from monolithic designs toward modular processes where each annotation describes a single concept, and to strictly track the provenance of all official products.
• The proposed infrastructure for hosting data and models shifts from a centralized entity to a peer-to-peer system of multiple nodes, such as k.LAB nodes, to ensure stability and allow members to maintain control over sensitive data.
• The implementation of the interoperability strategy is structured into four steps: pilot testing with strategic partners, engaging communities of practice (such as NASA or the European Space Agency), establishing governance through the UN Committee of Expert on Environmental-Economic Accounting (UNCEEA) or a new secretariat, and developing training materials.

APA

Villa, F., Balbi, S., & Bulckaen, A. (2021). AN INTEROPERABILITY STRATEGY FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF SEEA ACCOUNTING. Basque Centre for Climate Change. https://www.bc3research.org/h6T8Uy8Nm4gFs0O/20211118101328284567980.pdf

Chicago

Villa, Ferdinando, Stefano Balbi, and Alessio Bulckaen. AN INTEROPERABILITY STRATEGY FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF SEEA ACCOUNTING. Basque Centre for Climate Change, 2021. https://www.bc3research.org/h6T8Uy8Nm4gFs0O/20211118101328284567980.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Villa |first1=Ferdinando |last2=Balbi |first2=Stefano |last3=Bulckaen |first3=Alessio |title=AN INTEROPERABILITY STRATEGY FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF SEEA ACCOUNTING |publisher=Basque Centre for Climate Change |date=2 November 2021 |url=https://www.bc3research.org/h6T8Uy8Nm4gFs0O/20211118101328284567980.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{villa2021interoperability, author = {Villa, Ferdinando and Balbi, Stefano and Bulckaen, Alessio}, title = {{AN INTEROPERABILITY STRATEGY FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF SEEA ACCOUNTING}}, institution = {Basque Centre for Climate Change}, year = {2021}, month = nov, url = {https://www.bc3research.org/h6T8Uy8Nm4gFs0O/20211118101328284567980.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }