Natural Capital Register
Email for Tool Access
Tool Description
The Natural Capital Register and Account Tool (NCRAT) is an Excel-based decision-support tool developed by the Environment Agency to help organisations identify, assess, and value natural capital assets and ecosystem services. The tool enables users to create a natural capital register and account by combining spatial, environmental, and socio-economic data and then quantify both the physical flows and monetary values of ecosystem services.
Running the Tool
Tool Inputs
Spatial data, environmental data including asset quantity and quality (as habitat extent and condition), water supply data, recreation data, local values, and data on pressures, significance assessment, beneficiaries
Resource Requirements
Excel-based tool, GIS data, environmental datasets, and valuation data
time Requirements
>1 day
SKill Requirements
Background environmental knowledge and understanding of natural capital
Key data sources:
Habitat datasets (e.g. UKHab)
GIS spatial data
Environmental monitoring data
Valuation datasets
Local socio-economic data
How does it work?
Users input data on natural assets and ecosystem services and then the tool calculates physical flows and monetary values to produce a natural capital account for the selected geographic area.
Using Tool Outputs
Tool Outputs
Asset Register, benefits statement and balance sheet, graphics illustrating results
How can the tool be used to inform decisions?
NCRAT supports planning, policy, land management, and investment decisions by quantifying the benefits and identifying trade-offs between ecosystem services. The tool helps users compare management scenarios, prioritise interventions, target investment towards areas delivering the greatest environmental and social value, and incorporate natural capital considerations into decision-making.
Limitations of Use
NCRAT provides only a high-level assessment of ecosystem services, including indicative estimates and is not meant to replace site-specific assessments. The tool only produces a partial valuation of ecosystem services. It is also dependent on available data and assumptions regarding monetary values, which are based on national datasets and transfer values and should be taken as estimates.
Validation
The register was developed using UK natural capital evidence base and updated with latest metrics and research.
Case Studies
See how the Environment Agency used NCRAT to build a natural capital baseline for long-term flood risk planning in the Lower Witham catchment.
Developer Organisations
The Environment Agency developed and published NCRAT in 2023.
