The aim of the work is to improve the empirical understanding of how materials are used to produce machinery and equipment and how this machinery and equipment contributes to the generation of welfare. Ultimately, disused machinery is to be recycled, and we would like to understand how much material will become available at the end of life. The work will be based on various statistical data sources including those of national economic and environmental accounts, geological surveys, and industry surveys. May also provide recommendations for how to harmonize data collection to trace the attainment of circular economy objectives. Modelling will be based on the methods of input-output economics and may also rely on econometric analysis or linear programming. The work is part of the CIRCOMOD project, which aims to enable Integrated Assessment Models to represent circular strategies and is a Horizon Europe project.
The research group’s work in this area has had substantial policy impact. The supervisor led the development of the report Resource Efficiency and Climate Change by the International Resource Panel, which has informed, for example, the EU’s circular economy action plan and its Renovation Wave.
Your immediate leader is Professor Edgar Hertwich. Co-supervisors are Professor Richard Wood and Dr. Konstantin Stadler, Head of the IndEcol Digital Lab.