Environmental Input-Output Database Building in Japan

Abstract

This chapter reviews the history and discusses the role of the primary environmental data that have become the foundation of environmental input—output analyses in Japan. It also describes two practical approaches to estimating unit environmental burden: an exogenous estimate approach and an endogenous estimate approach. As a case study, the endogenous estimate approach is used to estimate sectoral unit carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions based on the Japanese Input—Output Tables for 2000. The technical problems that exist in determining CO2 emission for each sector by that approach are explained. In addition, this chapter uses an input—output analysis to calculate the embodied CO2 emission intensities of the approximately 400 sectors in the Japanese Input—Output Tables, and summarizes the quantitative characteristics of intensities for the major sectors. To examine the relationship between economic final demands and CO2 emissions, the Japanese CO2 emission structure in 2000 is illustrated using those intensities.