Scottish natural capital: ecosystem service accounts 2019

This publication, prepared by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), presents estimates of the quantity and value of ten services being supplied by Scottish natural capital.


2. Main points

  • In 2015, the partial asset value of Scottish natural capital was estimated to be £291 billion, 37% of the UK asset valuation.
  • 30% of the asset value was attributable to non-material benefits not directly captured in gross domestic product.
  • In 2017, oil and gas production in Scotland more than halved from 1998 levels.
  • Fish capture in Scottish waters rose by over two-thirds between 2003 and 2016.
  • Scottish timber production nearly doubled from 1997 to 2017.
  • During 2017, water abstraction for public water supply in Scotland fell to its lowest level in the series history, partly due to less leakage.
  • In 2017, five times as much energy was produced from renewable sources in Scotland than was produced in 2000.
  • The removal of PM2.5 from the atmosphere by Scottish vegetation led to overall avoided health damage costs of £52.3 million during 2017.
  • Between 2009 and 2017, annual outdoor recreation time spent per person was 56 hours (65%) higher in Scotland than the UK average.
  • Average spend per visit on outdoor recreation in Scotland was £2.24 between 2009 and 2012, which was comparable to the UK (£2.27).

Contact

Email: natural.capital.team@ons.gov.uk

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