A framework of indicators for associating material stocks and flows to service provisioning: Application for Japan 1990–2015. (20th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tanikawa, Hiroki; Fishman, Tomer; Hashimoto, Seiji; Daigo, Ichiro; Oguchi, Masahiro; Miatto, Alessio; Takagi, Shigesada; Yamashita, Naho; Schandl, Heinz
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 285(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02-20
• Subjects: Means and ends framework -- Sustainable development -- Sound material-cycle society -- Resource productivity -- Material efficiency -- Decomposition analysis; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125450
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: National accounts for material stocks and flows are reported regularly by an increasing number of countries to promote a sustainable use of our natural resources. In this research we build upon the work of Herman Daly and Donella Meadows and propose a framework that links material stocks and flows to a conceptual hierarchy of ends and means which are societal benefit and natural capital. We introduce a set of six indicators that link together to quantitatively relate material consumption and societal benefits: material productivity, primary material use rate, stock retention time, stock productivity, service productivity, and service utilization. We apply this analytical framework to accounts of the material stocks and flows of Japan for the period 1990 to 2015. We find that Japan's material flow productivity doubled from 1.6 US$/kg to 3.2 US$/kg. This improvement can be primarily attributed to improvements in stock retention rates and circular material use, but has been offset by decreasing productivity of Japan's material stocks from 0.2 US$/kg to 0.14 US$/kg. We discuss the future potential of our indicator framework to include additional indicators for specific sectors and argue for the need for proper measurements of societal services and human wellbeing to enhance the policy implications of the indicator framework. Highlights: We present a framework of 6 indicators to study stocks, flows, and services. The indicators address productivity, circularity, service provision, and wellbeing. The framework quantifies the means-ends approach to sustainable development. We apply this framework to new stock & flow accounts for Japan 1990–2015. Japan's material productivity improved due to circularity and stock retention.