Essential Reading

Conference documentation

• Conclusions of the Conference Co-Chairs
• Recommendation of the Council on Resource Productivity [see also C(2008)40].
• Programme for the OECD-UNEP Conference on Resource Efficiency
• Conference Notes
• Biographies of Chairs and Speakers
• Compilation of Speaker Abstracts
• Speeches and Presentations
• Measuring Material Flows and Resource Productivity: Synthesis report
  This report supports the implementation of the OECD Council Recommendation on Material Flows and Resource Productivity adopted in April 2004. It presents a synthesis of the work carried out by the OECD with its member countries and international partners since 2005, takes stock of progress made and adds selected examples from applications of material flow analysis.
• Measuring Material Flows and Resource Productivity: Volume I. The OECD Guide
  Volume I describes the full range of Material Flow approaches and measurement tools, with a focus on the national level and emphasis on areas in which practicable indicators can be defined. It is targeted at a non expert audience. It includes (i) an overall framework for material flow analysis (MFA), (ii) a description of different kinds of measurement tools, (iii) a discussion of those issues and policy areas to which MFA and material flow indicators can best contribute, and (iv) guidance on how to interpret material flow indicators. It is illustrated with a selection of practical examples from countries' experience and is complemented with a glossary.
• Measuring Material Flows and Resource Productivity: Volume II. The Accounting Framework
  Targeted for an expert audience, Volume II provides a theoretical and technical description of the concepts and methodologies of material flow accounting. It draws upon the Handbook on national accounting - Integrated Environmental and Economic Accounting (the SEEA handbook), developed jointly by the United Nations, the European Commission, the IMF, the OECD, and the World Bank and on the guide published by Eurostat in 2001 Economy-wide material flow accounts and derived indicators – A methodological guide. It has benefited from co-operation with Eurostat and with the London Group on Environmental Accounting, and consultations with the UNSD and its Committee of Experts on Integrated Environmental Economic Accounting.
• Measuring Material Flows and Resource Productivity: Volume III. Inventory of Country Activities
  Volume III takes stock of activities related to the measurement and analysis of natural resource and material flows in place or planned in OECD countries and in selected non member economies. It describes the main features that characterise such activities and the extent to which information on material resources is used in environmental reporting and in decision making. It is designed to provide a factual basis for the further exchange of experience and information, and for sharing lessons at international level.

Other information

• Guidance note for speakers and chairs