Economy-wide material flow indicators in the Czech Republic: trends, decoupling analysis and uncertainties
2008
Abstract
Material and energy flows (together with human appropriation of land) are considered the key cause of environmental problems. This paper describes the application of economy-wide material flow accounting and analysis to the economy of the Czech Republic for 1990-2002.
The results show a decrease of material intensity and decoupling of the economic growth from environmental pressure. The second part of the paper treats an important issue of uncertainties related to economy-wide material flow indicators in the Czech Republic.
The results point out that the high uncertainties related to some material flow indicators may be an obstacle to their applicability.