Merging Nature and Numbers: How First Nations' Wisdom Can Shape Environmental Accounting

First Nations' deep connection to the land offers valuable insights into environmental accounting.

The UN's SEEA-EA framework aims to blend environmental and economic data. It organizes ecosystem details, measures services, and tracks changes over time. But how can it better include First Nations' views on nature and their cultural ties to traditional lands?

Learning from First Nations' Perspectives

The SEEA-EA can learn from First Nations' perspectives. It should focus on aspects of the land that matter most to them:

• Stock accounts should highlight what First Nations value.
• Flow accounts should show the services they find most important.
• Measurements should use methods that make sense to them, whether physical, subjective, or monetary.

Collaboration and Partnerships

Working together with First Nations is key. Partnerships should center on their priorities and values. This approach can bring many benefits:

• Make the SEEA-EA more relevant and useful.
• Test these ideas with different First Nations groups.
• Implement across various geographic and cultural settings.

Enriching Environmental Accounting

Incorporating First Nations' knowledge can enrich environmental accounting. It can lead to better decisions and outcomes. By valuing their insights, the SEEA-EA can become more inclusive and effective. This collaboration can bridge the gap between modern accounting and traditional wisdom.