The metropolis and ecosystem accounting: their origins, relationships and an emancipatory framework of ledgers and accounts

Purpose This paper aims to address a critical limitation of conventional accounting in mediating the conflicts between metropolitan development and biodiversity conservation. It proposes an emancipatory ecosystem accounting framework designed to capture the spectrum of ecological, social and economic values inherent in complex urban systems. Design/methodology/approach This study synthesises three theoretical streams: the UN System of Environmental-Economic Accounting–Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA), the ethical and action-oriented disposition of extinction accounting and the critical lens of actor-network theory (ANT). SEEA EA provides the structural and measurement architecture, extinction accounting informs the emancipatory and preventive focus on biodiversity and species loss and ANT operates as a method theory to identify conflict arenas and trace translations among actors. The authors conduct an in-depth literature review to identify the prevailing ecosystems within a major metropolis, which are then aligned with relevant ecosystem accounts to develop an emancipatory, dual-track framework. The applicability of the framework is illustrated through a contentious case involving the sustainability of an urban golf course. ANT serves as the guiding method theory throughout the process, from the conceptualisation of the framework to its practical application. Findings This paper’s main contribution is the proposed ecosystem accounting framework for the metropolis, which redefines the accounting objects from physical areas to “arenas of conflict” or metropolitan ecosystem ledgers. The framework expands its methodology through a dual-track system: an SEEA EA–informed track for structural analysis and measurement, and an emancipatory and action-oriented track inspired by extinction accounting to institutionalise multi-stakeholder dialogue, participation and accountability. Through the case of the golf course, the framework’s ability to translate a complex dispute into a more transparent and richer information base for governance and negotiation is demonstrated. Practical implications This study identifies key ecosystem types in metropolitan areas (e.g. urban forests, wetlands and parks) and provides practical guidance on applying ecosystem accounting to them. The framework also acts as a tangible tool for policymakers, urban planners and accounting practitioners seeking to integrate biodiversity and social contestation into decision-making. Social implications This study underscores the critical need to preserve metropolitan ecosystems as essential components of socio-ecological well-being while urban development and nature converge. The proposed framework emancipates the broader value of biodiversity and, in doing so, encourages more inclusive urban governance practices. Originality/value Theoretically and methodologically, this study offers a novel application of ANT to derive accounting objects and proposes ecosystem ledgers and dual-track accounts which form a model for integrated socio-environmental accounting in metropolitan contexts.