--- canonical_url: "https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-47/using-ecosystem-accounting-to-integrate-the-environment-in-measures-of-multifactor-productivity/" title: "Using Ecosystem Accounting to Integrate the Environment in Measures of Multifactor Productivity" author: name: "CSLS" url: "https://csls.ca/author/cslc/" date_published: "2026-07-13T08:15:25+00:00" date_modified: "2026-07-17T10:00:46+00:00" post_type: "ipm" summary: "" ipm_issue_period: - "Fall 2024" ipm_keyword: - "EAMFP" - "ecosystem accounting" - "environmental economics" - "IDEEA" - "MFP" - "national accounts" - "natural capital" - "Obst" - "productivity" - "SEEA" ipm_research_theme: - "Well-being and living standards" ipm_country_focus: - "Global" - "International" featured_image: "https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IPM_50_banner.webp" status: "publish" --- # Using Ecosystem Accounting to Integrate the Environment in Measures of Multifactor Productivity Canonical URL: https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-47/using-ecosystem-accounting-to-integrate-the-environment-in-measures-of-multifactor-productivity/ # Using Ecosystem Accounting to Integrate the Environment in Measures of Multifactor Productivity [Download full PDF article](https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IPM-Issue-47-5-Obst.pdf) Cite this article × Cite this article as: Obst, Carl. 2024. “Using Ecosystem Accounting to Integrate the Environment in Measures of Multifactor Productivity.” International Productivity Monitor, No. 47 (Fall 2024): 87–108. https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-47/using-ecosystem-accounting-to-integrate-the-environment-in-measures-of-multifactor-productivity/ ## Author: - Carl Obst Institute for the Development of Environmental-Economic Accounting (IDEEA Group) ## IPM Issue 47 Fall 2024 pp. 87–108 ## Related IPM articles [The Relationship between Efficiencies Defenses for Mergers and TFP Growth Robin Shaban Fall 2025 | IPM Issue 49 | pp. 82–102](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-49/the-relationship-between-efficiencies-defenses-for-mergers-and-tfp-growth/) [Adult Skills and Productivity: New Evidence from PIAAC 2023 Dan Andrews, Balázs Égert, Christine de La Maisonneuve Fall 2025 | IPM Issue 49 | pp. 41–63](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-49/adult-skills-and-productivity-new-evidence-from-piaac-2023/) [The Potential Impact of Pro-competitive Regulatory Reforms on Productivity and Growth in Canada Gilbert Cette, Jimmy Lopez, Giuseppe Nicoletti, Océane Vernerey Fall 2025 | IPM Issue 49 | pp. 3–40](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-49/the-potential-impact-of-pro-competitive-regulatory-reforms-on-productivity-and-growth-in-canada/) [Appendix: UK Productivity Growth Rates Across Data Vintages and Studies Josh Martin Spring 2025 | IPM Issue 48 | pp. 65–73](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-48/appendix-uk-productivity-growth-rates-across-data-vintages-and-studies/) [Opportunities and Risks of Artificial Intelligence for Productivity Francesco Filippucci, Peter Gal, Katharina Laengle, Matthias Schief, Filiz Unsal Spring 2025 | IPM Issue 48 | pp. 1–26](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-48/opportunities-and-risks-of-artificial-intelligence-for-productivity/) [Eroding Natural Capital: An Alternative Explanation for the Secular Decline in Productivity Growth Christina Caron Fall 2024 | IPM Issue 47 | pp. 109–147](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-47/eroding-natural-capital-an-alternative-explanation-for-the-secular-decline-in-productivity-growth/) [How Does Industrial Policy Impact Output, Hours and Productivity? The Canadian Experience Tim Sargent Fall 2024 | IPM Issue 47 | pp. 39–53](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-47/how-does-industrial-policy-impact-output-hours-and-productivity-the-canadian-experience/) [Climate Change and Productivity — An Exploration Dirk Pilat Fall 2024 | IPM Issue 47 | pp. 54–86](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-47/climate-change-and-productivity-an-exploration/) [Could Domestic Industrial Policies, Even With Global Fragmentation, Revive Productivity? Catherine Mann Fall 2024 | IPM Issue 47 | pp. 3–19](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-47/could-domestic-industrial-policies-even-with-global-fragmentation-revive-productivity/) [Productivity and Industrial Policy by Design: The UK Experience Diane Coyle, Ayantola Alayande Fall 2024 | IPM Issue 47 | pp. 20–38](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-47/productivity-and-industrial-policy-by-design-the-uk-experience/) ## Abstract ## Résumé EN FR Copy link Email LinkedIn There is increasing recognition of the relevance of integrating environmental considerations within standard macroeconomic measures including GDP and national wealth and, by extension to measures of multifactor productivity (MFP). A range of approaches to measuring environmentally adjusted MFP (EAMFP) have been developed over the past decade which variously adjust the measure of output or recognize explicitly natural capital inputs. This article summarizes the main approaches to EAMFP and discusses their merits from a national accounting principles perspective, identifying some concerns on potential double counting of environmental contributions and effects. It then considers the potential of ecosystem accounting as described in the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) Ecosystem Accounting to offer an alternative framing for integrating the environment into economy-wide MFP measures. Il est de plus en plus reconnu qu’il est pertinent d’intégrer les considérations environnementales dans les mesures macroéconomiques standard, notamment le PIB et la richesse nationale, et par extension dans les mesures de la productivité multifactorielle (PMF). Diverses approches de la mesure de la PMF ajustée environnementalement (PMFAE) ont été élaborées au cours de la dernière décennie, qui ajustent diversement la mesure de la production ou reconnaissent explicitement les intrants en capital naturel. Cet article résume les principales approches de la PMFAE et examine leurs mérites du point de vue des principes de comptabilité nationale, identifiant certaines préoccupations concernant le possible double comptage des contributions et effets environnementaux. [Download full PDF](https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IPM-Issue-47-5-Obst.pdf)