OECD: Measuring the transformation of the economy - green growth Indicators
The natural asset base Natural resources are a major foundation of economic activity and human welfare. Their stocks are part of the natural capital and they provide raw materials, energy carriers, water, air, land and soil. Natural resources differ in their physical characteristics, abundance and value to countries or regions. Their efficient management and sustainable use are key to economic growth and environmental quality.
Progress can be monitored by looking at stocks of natural resources and other environmental assets along with flows of environmental services. This can be done by using indicators that reflect the extent to which the asset base is being maintained, in terms of quantity, quality or value. The main issues of importance to green growth under this heading include:
In the context of green growth, net benefits from resource use have to be optimised by:
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Availability and quality of renewable natural resource stocks, including freshwater, forests and fish (Figure 4),
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Availability and accessibility of non-renewable natural resource stocks, particularly mineral resources such as metals, industrial minerals and fossil energy carriers,
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Biological diversity and ecosystems, including species and habitat diversity and the productivity of land and soil resources.
1. Ensuring adequate supplies of renewable and nonrenewable resources to support economic activities and economic growth. 2. Managing environmental impacts associated with extracting and processing natural resources to minimise adverse effects on environmental quality and human health. 3. Preventing natural resource degradation and depletion. 4. Maintaining non-commercial environmental services.
Figure 4: Renewable freshwater resources
Per capita, in cubic meters, 2013 20000
30054
18000 16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 ARM
AZE
Source: The World Bank (2015).
8
BLR
GEO
KAZ
KGZ
MDA
RUS
TJK
TKM
UKR
UZB