Quantitative Analysis Method of Environmental Burden Using Input-Output Models

Abstract

As a prerequisite to fully consider the socioeconomic situation in one country at a certain time and to implement appropriate environmental policies there, methodology and analysis models need to be established to quantitatively measure the environmental burden generated by human activities. This chapter outlines the use of input-output models for environmental analysis and case studies, as one method of quantitative analysis of environmental burden. First, the essence of an input-output table is explained, followed by an explanation of the basic framework of an input-output model and its application for environmental analysis. In addition, the emission structure of the environmental burden in Asia is examined by introducing international case studies of input-output models for environmental analysis. Due to limited space, the explanation of the input-output theory is given in simplified form in order to comprehend the general framework and purpose of environmental analysis by an input-output model. Please refer to Miller and Blair (Input-output analysis: foundation and extensions, 2nd edn. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 2009) and Shishido et al. (Input-output analysis handbook. Toyo Keizai Inc, 2010), for example, in order to fully understand the basic principles and application of input-output theory.