IMEA project raises the following issues:

Is a generic methodology  adequate to assess the large range of environmental issues related to trans-boundary exchanges ? Can it be flexible enough to account for environmental specificities, the diversity of regions and of products ?

What is currently achievable with existing EAM and datasets, alone or in combination ?

What are the methodological and data improvements required to get a consistent basket of methodologies: for a descriptive analysis of the current situation & forecasting and modelling ?

 

How to reach IMEA objectives?

1) Initial review of existing environmental accounting methodologies (EAM). Exchange with EIPOT project (http://www.sei.se/eipot/index.html ) is also planned.

2) Setting of an analytical framework to identify EAM abilities, in general and specifically related to trans-boundary issues.

3) Assessment of the methodologies with the IMEA analytical framework: strengths and weaknesses of each EAM.

4) Exchanges and discussion with relevant stakeholders (national statistical institutes , policy bodies and European funding agencies) on the feasibility of the solution through a workshop planned in March 2009.

 

Which are the families of environmental accounting methodologies assessed within IMEA ?

• LCA
• Environmental footprints
• MFA
• Environmentally Extended Input Output approache

 

An analytical framework based on seven dimensions:

• Environmental reporting
• Coverage
• Quality and reliability
• Trans-boundary ability
• Integration Potential
• Extensibility
• Support to policy making

 

How is defined EAM’s transboundary ability?

The transboundary ability specifically reports on how each EAM considers trans-boundary issues from a methodological and practical perspective. It considers:

• economic exchange (trade of goods and services)
• natural exchanges (transfers through the environment (air, water, soil)