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Towards Robust, Authoritative Assessments of Environmental Impacts Embodied in Trade: Current State and Recommendations

Author

Listed:
  • Arnold Tukker
  • Arjan de Koning
  • Anne Owen
  • Stephan Lutter
  • Martin Bruckner
  • Stefan Giljum
  • Konstantin Stadler
  • Richard Wood
  • Rutger Hoekstra

Abstract

Global multiregional input†output databases (GMRIOs) became the standard tool for tracking environmental impacts through global supply chains. To date, several GMRIOs are available, but the numerical results differ. This paper considers how GMRIOs can be made more robust and authoritative. We show that GMRIOs need detail in environmentally relevant sectors. On the basis of a review of earlier work, we conclude that the highest uncertainty in footprint analyses is caused by the environmental data used in a GMRIO, followed by the size of country measured in gross domestic product (GDP) as fraction of the global total, the structure of the national table, and only at the end the structure of trade. We suggest the following to enhance robustness of results. In the short term, we recommend using the Single country National Accounts Consistent footprint approach, that uses official data for extensions and the national table for the country in question, combined with embodiments in imports calculated using a GMRIO. In a time period of 2 to 3 years, we propose work on harmonized environmental data for water, carbon, materials, and land, and use the aggregated Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Inter†Country Input†Output GMRIO as default in combination with detailing procedures developed in, for example, the EXIOBASE and Eora projects. In the long term, solutions should be coordinated by the international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) Statistical Division, OECD, and Eurostat. This could ensure that when input†output tables and trade data of individual countries are combined, that the global totals are consistent and that bilateral trade asymmetries are resolved.

Suggested Citation

  • Arnold Tukker & Arjan de Koning & Anne Owen & Stephan Lutter & Martin Bruckner & Stefan Giljum & Konstantin Stadler & Richard Wood & Rutger Hoekstra, 2018. "Towards Robust, Authoritative Assessments of Environmental Impacts Embodied in Trade: Current State and Recommendations," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(3), pages 585-598, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:22:y:2018:i:3:p:585-598
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.12716
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    Cited by:

    1. Sajid, M. Jawad & Cao, Qingren & Kang, Wei, 2019. "Transport sector carbon linkages of EU's top seven emitters," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 24-38.
    2. Teddy Serrano & Sandra Aparcana & Fatemeh Bakhtiari & Alexis Laurent, 2021. "Contribution of circular economy strategies to climate change mitigation: Generic assessment methodology with focus on developing countries," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(6), pages 1382-1397, December.
    3. Jakob Enlund & David Andersson & Fredrik Carlsson, 2023. "Individual Carbon Footprint Reduction: Evidence from Pro-environmental Users of a Carbon Calculator," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 86(3), pages 433-467, November.
    4. Chuandi Fang & Jinhua Cheng & Zhe You & Jiahao Chen & Jing Peng, 2023. "A Detailed Examination of China’s Clean Energy Mineral Consumption: Footprints, Trends, and Drivers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-26, November.
    5. Gebara, C.H. & Laurent, A., 2023. "National SDG-7 performance assessment to support achieving sustainable energy for all within planetary limits," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    6. Simon Schulte & Arthur Jakobs & Stefan Pauliuk, 2021. "Relaxing the import proportionality assumption in multi-regional input–output modelling," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 10(1), pages 1-21, December.
    7. Hertwich, Edgar G., 2020. "Carbon fueling complex global value chains tripled in the period 1995–2012," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    8. Suárez-Eiroa, Brais & Fernández, Emilio & Soto-Oñate, David & Ovejero-Campos, Aida & Urbieta, Pablo & Méndez, Gonzalo, 2022. "A framework to allocate responsibilities of the global environmental concerns: A case study in Spain involving regions, municipalities, productive sectors, industrial parks, and companies," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    9. Lena Kilian & Anne Owen & Andy Newing & Diana Ivanova, 2022. "Exploring Transport Consumption-Based Emissions: Spatial Patterns, Social Factors, Well-Being, and Policy Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-26, September.
    10. Hanspeter Wieland & Stefan Giljum & Nina Eisenmenger & Dominik Wiedenhofer & Martin Bruckner & Anke Schaffartzik & Anne Owen, 2020. "Supply versus use designs of environmental extensions in input–output analysis: Conceptual and empirical implications for the case of energy," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(3), pages 548-563, June.
    11. Lin Liu & Heinz Schandl & James West & Meng Jiang & Zijian Ren & Dingjiang Chen & Bing Zhu, 2022. "Copper ore material footprints and transfers embodied in domestic and international trade of provinces in China," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(4), pages 1423-1436, August.
    12. Bruno Casella & Richard Bolwijn & Daniel Moran & Keiichiro Kanemoto, . "Improving the analysis of global value chains: the UNCTAD-Eora Database," UNCTAD Transnational Corporations Journal, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
    13. Johan‐Andrés Vélez‐Henao & Claudia‐María García‐Mazo, 2022. "Environmental rebound effect of wind and solar technologies in the Colombian household sector," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(5), pages 1784-1795, October.
    14. Anna Trendl & Anne Owen & Lara Vomfell & Lena Kilian & John Gathergood & Neil Stewart & David Leake, 2023. "Estimating carbon footprints from large scale financial transaction data," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(1), pages 56-70, February.
    15. Alexandra Leclerc & Etienne Berthet & Konstantin Stadler & Richard Wood & Alexis Laurent, 2023. "Toward global and national toxicity footprints," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(6), pages 1521-1537, December.
    16. Harry C. Wilting & Aafke M. Schipper & Olga Ivanova & Diana Ivanova & Mark A. J. Huijbregts, 2021. "Subnational greenhouse gas and land‐based biodiversity footprints in the European Union," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(1), pages 79-94, February.
    17. Dorninger, Christian & Hornborg, Alf & Abson, David J. & von Wehrden, Henrik & Schaffartzik, Anke & Giljum, Stefan & Engler, John-Oliver & Feller, Robert L. & Hubacek, Klaus & Wieland, Hanspeter, 2021. "Global patterns of ecologically unequal exchange: Implications for sustainability in the 21st century," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    18. Hertwich, Edgar, 2020. "Carbon fueling complex global value chains tripled in the period 1995-2012," SocArXiv zb3rh, Center for Open Science.
    19. Jan Streeck & Stefan Pauliuk & Hanspeter Wieland & Dominik Wiedenhofer, 2023. "A review of methods to trace material flows into final products in dynamic material flow analysis: From industry shipments in physical units to monetary input–output tables, Part 1," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(2), pages 436-456, April.
    20. Gilang Hardadi & Alexander Buchholz & Stefan Pauliuk, 2021. "Implications of the distribution of German household environmental footprints across income groups for integrating environmental and social policy design," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(1), pages 95-113, February.
    21. Piñero, Pablo & Pérez-Neira, David & Infante-Amate, Juan & Chas-Amil, María L. & Doldán-García, Xoán R., 2020. "Unequal raw material exchange between and within countries: Galicia (NW Spain) as a core-periphery economy," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).

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