Research and analysis

Natural Capital Register and Account Tool (NCRAT) - Quick-start guide for first-time users

Published 29 August 2023

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-capital-register-and-account-tool/natural-capital-register-and-account-tool-ncrat-quick-start-guide-for-first-time-users

1. Overview

NCRAT is an Excel workbook with three components:

  1. Input - using the tool requires the user to collect and input data about their place.
  2. Process - the process calculations are automated.
  3. Output - the output tables and graphics are largely self-generating.

To request the tool, please email: naturalcapital@environment-agency.gov.uk.

2. You will need

The User Guide

Provides detailed instructions

A description of your place

Name, data sensitivity, accounting price year

A GIS shapefile of your place

You will need this to help in gathering your data. This may already be available – check with your team or online.

For custom areas you may need to create your own shapefile – see the User Guide for more information.

Data that describes your place

Which water catchments are present? Habitats – the different types, their total areas and condition. Renewable energy generation. Recreation values from ORVal tool. Estimates of water supply (from the Environment Agency), renewable energy and fish landings.

More detail on how to obtain your data is included in the User Guide.

3. Getting started

Please read the ‘ReadMe’ tab at the start of the workbook:

  • NCRAT has 6 input tabs.
  • Each input tab contains guidance notes to help you.
  • Across all the tabs the input cells are colour-coded.

The tool can be used to varying levels of data entry:

  • Basic: Input of required quantitative data only.
  • Better: …plus optional completion of the significance .assessment and beneficiaries assessment.
  • Best: …plus input of data on asset condition trend data and pressures on assets.

The more data you are able to input, the better the final output.

4. Entering data – Input tabs

Place Description

Define your place as appropriate for your project.

Asset Register

Input the quantity (extent of habitats) and quality (condition and trend in condition) of the different habitats in your place.

Pressures

Input your own assessment of the pressure that ‘drivers of change’ are having on the extent and condition of the habitats.

Local Values

Input quantity data for the benefits that come from your place. For example; water supply, agricultural production and outdoor recreation visits.

Significance Assessment

Input your own qualitative assessment of the significance of the benefits provided by your place and their level of representation in the monetary valuations.

Beneficiaries Assessment

Identify the beneficiaries (both direct and indirect) of the benefits from your place.

5. Process tabs – automatic calculations

  • The Process tabs are automatic, making use of your inputted data as well as default assumptions.
  • The calculations and reference values are all viewable to show the methodology.
  • Further details on methods can be found in the Technical Report.

6. Outputs

  • Output tables and graphics are automatically populated.
  • There is an option for users to produce a ‘Sankey diagram’ to show flows of benefits from natural capital assets.
  • Outputs can be copy and pasted into your own reports and presentations, or use the ready-made template to generate a dashboard-style scorecard.
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