Assessment status of Sustainable Development in Iran Using Carbon FootprintIndex

Abstract
In this paper, in order to evaluate the environmental aspect of the status of sustainable development in Iran, a biophysical index, which is called Carbon Footprint, is introduced. This index takes into account of direct and indirect CO₂emissions of imports and internal production for the requirements of internal final demand. Moreover, shows the share of Iran’s population on emissions of CO₂in frame per capita carbon footprint. According to the report of World Bank (2015), Iran ranks the eighth in the world on the emissions. Therefore, analyzing the national carbon footprint published by economic sectors for the requirements of internal final demand becomes an important issue. The main focus of this paper is to investigate the national carbon footprint published at macro and sectorial levels using domestic Input-Output table of Iran, following two basic questions: One, has the per capita carbon footprint in 1390 compared to 1385decreased? Two, has the national carbon footprint (internal production and imports) in 1390 compared to 1385decreased? In order to quantify the above questions we have used two types of data: One is 1385 and 1390 modified input-output tables and the second is CO₂data at different sectors of economy in the same period. The results of the calculations shows, one; per capita carbon footprint in Iran has decreased in 1390 than 1385 which this decreasing is at result of reduction of CO₂emissions of imports not reduction of CO₂emission of internal production. Two, increasing of CO₂emission of internal production "Production, distribution and transmission of electricity” and “transportation” sectors for the requirements of internal final demandin 1390 than 1385.Three, reduction of CO₂emissions of imports of “Coke coal and petroleum” and “machinery and equipment” sectors and increase CO₂emissions of internal production by them. Altogether, these findings indicate that decrease CO₂emissions of imports and increase CO₂emissions of internal production in 1390 than 1385.