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).

One - Fundamental Concepts for the Development of a System of Environmental Accounts by ISTAT.- 1. First Report of the Commission Istat-Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei for the Study of a System of Environmental Accounting.- Two - Contributions towards an Environmental Accounting System.- 2. Environmental Accounting: Introductory Remarks.- 3. Environmental Accounting: Problems and Proposals.- 4. Environmental Accounting and Policy: A Theoretical Framework.- 5. The Input-Output System Extended to Environmental Accounting.- 6. Proposal for a General Approach for the Development of a System of Environmental Accounts by Istat.- 7. Information Bases for Environmental Policies.- Three - International Experiences of Environmental Accounting.- 8. A Methodological and Operative Analysis of the Most Recent Developments in Environmental Accounting in the EEC, the UN and the OECD.- 9. Elements of Environmental Accounting in Some European Countries - A Methodological and Operational Analysis: The Cases of France, Germany and the Netherlands.- 10. Environmental Accounting and Environmental Policy: The Case of Norway.- Four - Basic Statistical Information: Some Experience.- 11. An Inventory of Atmospheric Pollution Emissions in Italy: Structure and Evolutionary Development.- 12. An Estimate of Environmental and Defensive Expenditures.- 13. Data Banks on Environmental Information Sources.- 14. The Environmental Budget of the Firm.- Appendix - Forum on Environmental Reporting: Company Environmental Reports.