Constructing physical input–output tables for environmental modeling and accounting: Framework and illustrations

• Published in: Ecological economics Vol. 59; no. 3; pp. 375 - 393
• Main Authors: Hoekstra, Rutger, van den Bergh, Jeroen C.J.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 20.09.2006; Elsevier
• Series: Ecological Economics
• Subjects: Accounting; Economic models; Environmental accounts; Environmental economics; Europe; Factor analysis; Input–output modeling; Mass balance; Material flows; Physical accounting; System of Environmental and Economic Accounting; USA, New York; Netherlands; European Union; United Nations; Finland; Denmark; Italy; Germany; Mass balance; Environmental accounts; System of Environmental and Economic Accounting; Material flows; Input–output modeling; Physical accounting
• ISSN: 0921-8009; 1873-6106
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2005.11.005

A physical input–output table (PIOT) provides a framework in which all the physical flows associated with an economy can be recorded. This makes it a valuable tool for environmental–economic modeling and accounting. During the 1990's PIOTs were constructed for a number of countries. Subsequently, the PIOT and related physical supply and use tables have been taken up in the System of Environmental and Economic Accounting [UN (United Nations), 2003. System of Environmental and Economic Accounting. United Nations, New York]. This paper reviews PIOTs for the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Finland and the European Union. These studies applied the ‘basic’ and ‘extended’ PIOT frameworks. This paper elaborates these frameworks with packaging, residuals (wastes and emissions), recycling and stock changes, in order to create a ‘full’ PIOT. The production process of the extended and full PIOT is split into structural and auxiliary production processes. Modeling applications and ways of deriving environmentally relevant information from the full PIOT are illustrated using a numerical example.