Resource Accounting in China

Abstract

Sustainable development is a major issue concerning the survival of human beings and social progress. The Chinese Government has formulated China’s Agenda 21, which calls for the study and practice, on a trial basis, of integration of natural resources and environmental considerations into the national economic accounting system so as to make statistical indices and market prices accurately reflect the resources and environment changes caused by economic activities. This has become an important input to China’s sustainable development strategies. It emphasizes the establishment of stock and flow accounts for natural resources to support the establishment of an integrated environment and economic accounting system. This facilitates the establishment of a new, integrated national economic accounting system. These efforts have demonstrated the vision and determination of the Chinese Government to implement Agenda 21.