Green Accounting

Posted: Sep 09, 2009 |Comments: 0 | Views: 192 |

In simple words Green accounting is kind of accounting that tries to factor the environmental costs within the financial outcome of the operations of a business. The decision makers have argued on the need of a revised method that includes green accounting because the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ignores environment.

The idea was suggested in the 80’s by professor Peter Wood, although, the practice is still controversial. A fellow professor of the similar time, Julian Lincoln Simon, argued on the usage of natural resources that result in much wealth evident by the low prices of nonrenewable resources over the course of time.

To explain the subject further, let’s take a piece of red wood that is 300 years old, and that is cut and created into tables.  Now the table building and logging adds to the GDP while absolutely no deductions is done at the cost of losing a tree and its non market services. Similarly the waste from a paper mill when dumped into river results in increased GDP but no cut is made for the cost of water pollution. On the contrary, water and air cleaned by the old forests and wetlands doesn’t add anything to the GDP.


But the accounting methodology within the US omits such environmental costs, to measure the economic activity of the nation. However, with many recommendations, now the national accounting system is on its way to correction.

The NIPA or the national income and product accounts also support the measurement of GDP. The three main aspects that are ignored by NIPA are:

* It counts over harvesting and pollution- causing industries as economic activity without deducting the environmental destructions done,
* It ignores the depletion of the forests, oils, and other natural asset, and
* It also fails to acknowledge the services and goods provided by the wetlands, air, water and other ecosystems.

‘The Nature's Numbers’, a book by the environmentalists, favor green accounting and proposes to extend NIPA for the inclusion of production activities and assets related to the environment and resources. It also suggests developing near-market and non-market accounts in parallel. This intelligent, carefully written weighty book offers a crucial boost to green accounting. This book will mark to be an asset in devising ways to protect environment without making a drag onto the nation’s GDP.

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/green-accounting-1214247.html

    Article Tags:

    green accounting

    ,

    accounting

    ,

    careers

    ,

    business

    a very informative article on the benefits of pursuing advanced degrees online, immensely helpful for working people,who are floundering in confusion about taking the online route.

    By: Tammy Greenel Education> Online Educationl Aug 13, 2008 lViews: 336 lComments: 2

    Accountant St Albans is a group which helps in providing the both the expertise and they are in dependent in their own field.

    By: Rachael Greenl Finance> Accountingl Dec 11, 2010
    Ray Green

    Training your employees and managers on the concept of business acumen, which means going beyond financial literacy to a true understanding of what it takes for a business to make money, is the key to producing real results for an organization.

    By: Ray Greenl Business> Managementl Apr 27, 2010 lViews: 513
    Holly G. Green

    When Shakespeare said that all the world’s a stage, he probably didn’t have employee performance evaluations in mind. But for anyone who has ever endured a less-than-candid performance appraisal, his words definitely ring true. Giving and receiving feedback is a complex process made infinitely more complicated by our human emotions and reactions. In particular, our fears, uncertainties and doubts about the feedback process can make us very uncomfortable. So when we give or receive feedback...

    By: Holly G. Greenl Business> Managementl Jan 13, 2010
    Willie Green

    Start a highly profitable Online Home Business for under $500 dollars.

    By: Willie Greenl Business> Home Businessl Oct 19, 2008

    Franchises are a very popular and successful way for people to get started in a business, without having to build the brand from scratch. However, before jumping in head first, there are a number of things to consider that will make or break your success as a franchisee.

    By: Matt Greenel Business> Franchisel Aug 10, 2011

    Teaching English abroad in Vietnam is a unique experience for anyone who seeks to explore a beautiful country with a rich heritage. You may find people who say that it is not difficult to find jobs in Saigon, but the converse is true. It depends on where and how you conduct your search.

    By: John Thomsonl Careersl May 25, 2012

    Thailand is a beautiful country with an expanding opportunity to teachers seeking opportunities to travel and teach. The steady demand for native English speakers means that any confident applicant with basic teaching skills can secure employment without difficulties.

    By: John Thomsonl Careersl May 24, 2012

    Doctor jobs are growing in demand. Canadian research discovered that over four million Canadians lack a family physician Because four million Canadians don't have a family physician, the need for physicians is enormous Provinces throughout Canada are desperate to fill these vacancies.

    By: jaretcxlhal Careersl May 24, 2012

    Although Singapore is an island nation, it has grown to become a modern and efficient first world model country in Asia too. The infrastructure is remarkable and education sector largely successful.

    By: John Thomsonl Careersl May 24, 2012

    Malaysia is a beautiful country with a thriving tourism industry. Like other emerging countries in Asia, the education sector spurs the knowledge-based economy. The education reforms have been instrumental in producing a quality workforce that satisfies the professional demands of various industries.

    By: John Thomsonl Careersl May 24, 2012

    The Rorschach test has long been popularized in books and films over the past many years but only few people know about this test. The Rorschach cards have to be kept hidden but the outlines of such cards are available easily on many of the websites.

    By: Erik Johnsonl Education> College and Universityl Sep 11, 2009 lViews: 147

    While you are still in high school you should start searching for good schools for accounting degree. Even if you have a mediocre GPA you can still get into good accounting schools. If you live on the eastern part of the country, then you have numerous options for a good accounting school.

    By: Erik Johnsonl Education> College and Universityl Sep 11, 2009 lViews: 450

    Deciding the college you will take admission into after your school is a daunting task. It is important that you think wisely about which college you will be spending the next four years. The location and reputation of the college is very important. It is a life time opportunity for you to move to a new location and make your career.

    By: Erik Johnsonl Education> College and Universityl Sep 11, 2009 lViews: 360

    There have been great movies in the past about food and chefs. We have loved them all and enjoyed them, some less some more. Now on the silver screen is a new movie called, ‘Julie & Julia’. The message the movie conveys is that everyone and anyone can become a chef, the only thing you need is the love for food.

    By: Erik Johnsonl Arts & Entertainment> Moviesl Sep 09, 2009 lViews: 883

    Discuss this Article

    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast