An Environmentally Extended Input-Output Analysis to Support Sustainable Use of Forest Resources

Abstract

The use of environmentally extended input-output analysis was demonstrated for quantifying the overall sustainability impacts of forest industries in the Finnish economy in 2005. Direct greenhouse gas emission, land use, employment and import impacts of economic sectors were transformed into impact intensities of products. The intensities were used to construct a final demand based emission inventory demonstrating the relative importance of export, investment and consumption activities in causing environmental and social impacts. The calculations were presented using an aggregated input-ouput table, which makes it possible to repeat the calculations using standard spreadsheet software. Therefore the study can be used as an accessible primer to the use of input-output methods in sustainability assessment.