Climate mitigation models need to become circular – let's start with the construction sector
Ana T. Lima, Sofia G. Simões, Davide Aloini, Pierluigi Zerbino, Theoni I. Oikonomou, Spyridon Karytsas, Constantine Karytsas, Óscar Seco Calvo, Beatriz Porcar, Israel Herrera, Simon Slabik, Hans H. Dürr, Andrea Genovese, Meletios Bimpizas-Pinis
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Circular Economy (CE) is presented today as the way forward to achieving a sustainable and carbon-neutral society. Yet, circularity assessment tools such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Material Flow Analysis (MFA), and Supply and value-chain analysis are currently disconnected from the models used to advise bodies that steer sustainability-driven policies like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Climate mitigation models (henceforth climate models) are used in policy discussions and international negotiations to track GHG emissions and identify pathways towards a low-carbon economy. One example is the JRC-EU-TIMES model developed by the International Energy Agency or the PRIMES model, which is the backbone of the energy and climate policy of the European Union (EU). These climate models are inherently suitable for representing only linear patterns of economic activity, where GHG emissions are modelled per economic sector (primary energy resource extraction, final energy generation, energy, and materials used in industry, buildings, etc.).