Environmental performance of households

In this study we discuss and apply ways to assess sustainability of household consumption. We propose an integrated environmental-economic model system providing a basis for identifying products or family types representing high environmental pressure. By using this model system, it is possible to develop a general environmental performance index, including weighting the pressure of numerous environmental impacts. We find that middle income families living in single family homes have the least environmentally friendly consumer basket and also constitute a large share of all families in Denmark. Thus, environmental policy measures should be directed towards middle income families living in houses.