Environmental accounting in agriculture and forestry: a stepwise approach

  • M. Merlo University of Padua
  • A. Boschetti University of Padua
Keywords: Environmental accounting, Stepwise approach, Agricultural forest enterprises

Abstract

This paper illustrates a stepwise enterprise approach to enterprise environmental accounting. It starts with traditional balance sheets of four agricultural and forest enterprises following traditional accounting principles. A second step separates environmental/recreational activities from conventional ones, that is timber and agricultural products. A third step outlines near market values, as perceived by the entrepreneur as hidden private values. A fourth step opens up to positive and negative public effects and externalities making possible a quantification of public welfare effects. The last step, therefore, aims at incorporating all non-market benefits and costs. Satellite accounts and addenda, including physical biological aspects, can also be used. The methodology, though enlarged to environmental/social issues, remains strictly based on accounting principles. So far, it has been applied to several case studies proving to be a useful tool both in managerial economics as well in environmental and social planning and decision-making in rural areas.

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Published
2001-12-01
How to Cite
Merlo, M., & Boschetti, A. (2001). Environmental accounting in agriculture and forestry: a stepwise approach. Forest Systems, 10(3), 69-90. https://doi.org/10.5424/734
Section
Research Articles