Environmental Cost Accounting in the Sugar Industry: An MFCA Perspective on “Sweet” Environmental Burdens
Journal Title: Journal of Green Economy and Low-Carbon Development - Year 2024, Vol 3, Issue 1
Abstract
In recent years, environmental protection has become an indispensable component of China's economic development, with its significance increasingly emphasized. National efforts towards environmental governance have expanded from traditional high-pollution industries to encompass all sectors with potential environmental impacts, demonstrating a comprehensive and multi-layered commitment to environmental management. However, within the domain of environmental cost accounting, research and practice have predominantly concentrated on traditional heavy industries such as coal and chemical sectors, leaving a gap in other industries, particularly in light industries such as the sugar industry. Given that the sugar industry is one of the top ten water polluting industries in China, it is particularly necessary to explore its environmental cost accounting. One side, this study addresses this gap by shifting the research focus to the sugar industry, thereby broadening the scope of environmental cost accounting. On the other side, utilizing Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA), this research quantifies the environmental costs incurred during the sugar production process, applying its accounting principles to divide materials in enterprise production activities into positive and negative products, elucidating the extent of environmental pollution and resource wastage. This approach not only enhances corporate environmental responsibility but also provides practical insights for the sustainable development of the industry and the formulation of governmental policies.
Authors and Affiliations
Cheng Wang, Xin Fu
Keywords
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- EP ID EP752463
- DOI https://doi.org/10.56578/jgelcd030105 | Available online: 03
- Views 20
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