Countries are usually judged on their use of natural resources and emissions in their own territories, i.e. from a producer principle. An alternative environmental accounting principle for countries is the consumer principle, which includes the environmental load pertaining to   imports. Several studies compare emissions where the two principles are applied to individual countries. This paper presents a more comprehensive overview by comparing the two principles for 87 countries/regions covering the world. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and land use per capita are calculated, applying both principles with a multi-region input-output model including feedback loops. GHG and land-use intensities, calculated for 12 world regions accounting for the origin of imports, are combined with demand in 87 regions. For most developed countries, total GHG emissions and land use are higher for the consumer principle than for the producer principle. Differences in emissions and land use per capita for the two principles are the result of differences in income, production technologies and consumption patterns. The differences in consumption patterns are analysed by using intensities based on world average production technology. The multi-regional approach significantly differs from an approach in which imports are treated as if they were produced domestically. The latter approach underestimates emissions and land use for developed countries.

Keywords: Environmental accounting, responsibility, multi-region input-output analysis, international trade, environmental policy

 

---

Deze publicatie is beschikbaar als PDF file (in het engels). Klik hier om te downloaden (187 kB).

Terug