Pollution Levels in Iranian Economy Sectors Using Input-output Analysis and TOPSIS Technique: An Approach to Sustainable Development

Abstract

Sustainable development (SD) is a pattern of growth where the resources being used aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for the generations to come. One of the most important components of sustainable development is the environmental protection that globally, several actions have been taken by the international community. Their goal was to evaluate the environmental impacts of emissions. Under the Kyoto Protocol, member states are committed to reduce the greenhouse gases to 1990 levels or lower until 2012-2010. Accordingly, this study is to examine the level of pollution in Iranian economy sectors. Data in this study include six fuels, gasoline, kerosene, fuel oil, LPG, natural gas and gas oil that are available in the country's energy balance sheet. Input-Output (IO) analysis was used to calculate emissions of five pollutants, COx, NOx, CO, HC and SPM, in distinguishing 20 economic sectors in Iran. Then with TOPSIS technique and Entropy weighted, five pollutants are combined and pollution levels have been determined. The results indicate that hotel and restaurant services, real estate and other business services, basic metals and metal products made, textile products, clothing, leather, wood, paper products and machineries and equipment gain the highest level of sustainable development in terms of environmental protection. In terms of economic policy, it is necessary to consider the appropriate strategies to reduce emissions in less developed areas.