Application of environmentally extended social accounting matrix based indicators to address socio-economic and environmental targets in Cameroon

Abstract

Achieving social, economic, and environmental targets poses significant transitional challenges, requiring countries to adapt to new growth patterns. Cameroon's development strategies prioritize the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on economic growth, formal job creation, and poverty reduction while simultaneously targeting greenhouse gas emissions decreases. To effectively promote policies aligned with these goals, it is necessary to develop specific databases and indicators. This study presents an application of an Environmentally Extended Social Accounting Matrix based indicators for Cameroon: the ‘Employment Intensity of Carbon’ (EIC). This multidimensional multiplier indicator identifies the quantity of employment generated and the associated emissions produced by an increase in demand. The Hypothetical Extraction Method is then proposed to identify and rank relevant sectors. On the basis of the Nationally Determined Contribution, a case study is then presented to demonstrate the indicator's usefulness in providing evidence-based results on achieving environmental sustainability targets and its implications for employment. The analysis highlights which economic sectors need to be improved to achieve the emission reduction targets with the least economic and social impact.