Implementing Environmental Accounts

This book provides essential insights into measuring total wealth in resource-rich countries, focusing on case studies from sub-Saharan Africa.

The book Implementing Environmental Accounts serves as a foundational text for understanding the development of indicators that measure total wealth in various countries. It focuses on case studies from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and South Africa, which are all nations grappling with the complexities of resource wealth. These countries often experience the 'resource curse,' where their abundant natural resources lead to economic challenges rather than prosperity. By examining these case studies, the book highlights the need to rethink traditional economic indicators and consider new measures that account for environmental and social factors.

In exploring the implementation of the Sustainable Economic Accounting Approach (SEAA) in sub-Saharan Africa, Implementing Environmental Accounts sheds light on the paradox of resource-driven economies. Despite significant inflows of liquidity from resource extraction, these nations have often failed to translate that wealth into essential developments in infrastructure and education. The authors argue that current economic frameworks are insufficient and propose innovative metrics that could provide a clearer picture of true wealth.

Ultimately, Implementing Environmental Accounts presents a hopeful vision for the future of these countries. By adopting new measures of wealth that go beyond conventional economic indicators, there is potential for more sustainable development. This book is a crucial first step in addressing the challenges faced by resource-rich nations and offers insights into how they can better leverage their assets for long-term prosperity.