Assessing Socioeconomic Metabolism Through Hybrid Life Cycle Assessment : The Case of the Czech Republic
2009
Abstract
This article applies a combined input-output and life cycle inventory (LCI) method to the calculation of emissions and material requirements of the Czech economy in 2003. The main focus is on materials and emissions embodied in the international trade of the Czech Republic.
The emissions embodied in the international trade of the Czech Republic are comparable to the domestic emissions. The results of our calculation show that the Czech Republic exerts environmental pressure on the environment in other countries through international trade.
We argue that raw material equivalents should be used to express the flows across national boundaries. Furthermore, we recommend a raw material consumption indicator for international comparisons.