A Multi-coloured GDP -or No New GDP at All?

Horst Zimmermann

World Economics, 2000, vol. 1, issue 3, 141-147

Abstract: This is a reply to Giles Atkinson's article ‘Re-thinking Economic Progress' that appeared in the first issue of World Economics (Vol. 1, No. 1, January – March 2000). Atkinson discussed proposals for the construction of ‘green' alternatives to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In the same issue, Amanda Rowlatt in her article ‘Extending the UK National Accounts', discussed the role of ‘satellite accounts', including measures of effects on the environment. Professor Zimmermann's contention is that the concept of a ‘green GDP' would lead to a one-sided measure which cannot be used for the many purposes for which normal GDP as a comprehensive measure can be used. A GDP corrected for depletion of environmental stocks would have to be supplemented by one corrected for changes in human capital, another one dealing with health capital, etc. Completing the set leads to the older concept of Net Economic Welfare or something similar. Only this would again be a comprehensive measure and could replace GDP.

Date: 2000
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