This report explores in detail material flows in the economy which have a possible influence on the environment. It attempts to define the parameters that need to be taken into account to steer human development towards ecological sustainability. The report proposes a measure for resource...

Material flows from the envirornment to economic activities constitute a valid basis for the construction of useful, policy-oriented indicators of the potential damage to nature deriving from these activities. Not only direct intake is relevant, but also the "upstream" activation of material....