The French natural patrimony accounts
Article type: Research Article
Authors: Weber, J.-L.1
Note: [1] Jean-Louis Weber graduated from the University of Paris in 1970 with a diploma in economics. He has been employed by INSEE since 1968 and has since then worked in national accounting. At present, his assignments relate to the methodology of national accounts, particularly satellite accounts, within the department of statistical and accounting co-ordination.
Abstract: The lack of statistical assessments of the natural patrimony has often entailed its neglect in economic decision-making. Statistical data on the natural patrimony are currently prepared by both scientists and managers at various levels. For example, ministries of the environment in a number of countries have, over the past years, begun to collect data and to compile materials on energy balances for several key products. However, in decision-making and in the social and political debate which precedes it, a factor can only be fully taken into account if two conditions are met: (a) the various specialists and decision-makers must share a common language; and (b) there must be a limited quantity of aggregated statistical data making it possible to maintain an argument. These are the two general purposes for which French natural patrimony accounts are intended. Natural patrimony accounts are meant to be management tool in order to encourage decision-makers to take the environment into account. In other words, managers should take stock of the impact of their actions upon the environment and they should account for the use which they make of the natural resources under their responsibility. At the same time, central authorities are provided with an overall supervisory and decision-making tool. It is possible to set up an account for each component of the natural patrimony on the basis of existing knowledge. The aggregate of these elementary accounts can be compiled using procedures derived from national economic accounting practices. Furthermore, the existence of aggregates which are representative of the overall trends of the natural patrimony, defined from three specific viewpoints (ecological, economic, and socio-cultural) can be assumed. At the present time, the result of the preparatory work on the natural patrimony accounts is the proposal of a set of consistent frameworks for the compilation of statistics. These frameworks have been defined on the basis of four observational approaches, each covering the totality of the natural patrimony. They are: (a) the demography of objects; (b) the functioning of ecosystems; (c) the competition to occupy a finite space; and (d) the appropriation by man (including the indirect effects of human activities). These observational approaches are complementary and the frameworks derived from them are interconnected. Furthermore, they are linked to the national economic accounts.
DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1983-1403
Journal: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 419-444, 1983
