Ireland's Sustainable Development Model: EPA STRIVE Programme 2007-2013

This report discusses the development of Ireland's Sustainable Development Model (ISus). In order to build the model, a set of environmental accounts was constructed that cover a longer period and more substances than any other environmental accounts for Ireland, and are true satellite accounts. The ISus model allows these accounts to be projected into the future on a sectoral level. ISus is implemented as a series of sub models, each dealing with a specific area of environmental concern. By relating environmental pressure on key resources to relevant economic developments, the model will be of use in the diagnosis of past environmental problems and it will act as a tool in future environmental policy making by highlighting likely pressure points. This report summarises the research into aviation emissions, household energy use, drinking water demand and quality, tourism, modal choice by commuters, valuation of environmental goods, the evolution of Irish consumption patterns and drivers of household waste arisings.