In recent years, analysts, researchers and environmental policy makers
have been faced with a serious shortage of empirical data on
environmental phenomena. In fact, the information gathered by various
organisations has not yet been systematically classified into a
consistent system of accounts.
This book presents the results of a joint research effort by the
Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei and Italy's Central Statistical Office
(ISTAT) to design a system of accounts for natural and environmental
resources. The resulting environmental accounts can be integrated with
the existing system of national accounts, in order to estimate the
so-called `green GDP' or `net national product' (NNP).