ABSTRACT

Consumption in private households is responsible for global environmental impacts to a considerable degree. The largest share, accounting for nearly a third of the cumulative primary energy consumption is for general living expenses (32%), mainly in terms of energy required for heating. The analysis of household expenses is based on the 'Survey on Household Panels 1994', carried out by Eurostat in most member states of the European Union, including the Netherlands and Spain. Transport and communication ranks third in terms of household expense, being related mainly to use of a private car. Expenses in this field represent 11.19% of total household expenses in the Netherlands and 17.47% in Austria. From the analyses we can identify the fields of action that deserve further examination regarding ecological services. The selection criteria involved consideration of material and energy flows, expenditure and potential for service supply in the given field.