Circular Economy and Decarbonisation: Synergies and trade-offs
Abstract
In order to comply with the Paris Agreement and the current Austrian government agreement, greenhouse gas emissions need to decline radically. One concept that has been gaining popularity is the Circular Economy (CE) and its proclaimed selling point to combine an economic narrative with benefits for employment, economy, environment and particularly the climate. The transformation to a CE is mentioned several times in the government agreement and in the latest National Energy and Climate Plan. Despite growing expectations and scientific studies, the evidence base for the decarbonisation potential of the CE at country level remains somewhat elusive. The project CE DC sets out to answer the question to what extent the Circular Economy and its measures can contribute to the goal of carbon neutrality by 2040 of the Austrian government. The investigation will consider possible trade-offs like the known effect that decarbonisation implies a substantial conversion of infrastructures which requires additional material and energy especially in the energy supply system, the transport system and the building sector. The following scenarios are envisaged: • BAU: a business as usual scenario without additional measures • DC: a decarbonisation scenario according to government plans • CE DC: as above but with intensified CE strategies to mitigate conversion effects • CE DC+: as above but with additional CE strategies like prolonged life-times, increased sharing, more reuse, repair, remanufacturing and recycling. CE DC implements scenarios into two linked models. The biophysical CE model traces all material flows from inputs to outputs and will consider additional material and energy demands due to conversions. The macroeconomic model also incorporates rebound-effects. Thus, scenarios on recycling, life times, sharing, reuse/repair, infrastructure etc. can be prudently assessed in terms of emissions, waste, resources, employment and value-added to reveal rewarding strategies.
Circular economy decarbonisation economy employment
Publikationen
Material stocks in global electricity infrastructures - An empirical analysis of the power sector's stock-flow-service nexus
Autoren: Kalt, G; Thunshirn, P; Wiedenhofer, D; Krausmann, F; Haas, W; Haberl, H Jahr: 2021
Journal articles
Circular Economy and Decarbonisation: Synergies and trade-offs. Zweiter Zwischenbericht ACRP Forschungsprojekt KR19AC0K17512
Autoren: Haas, W., Meier, I., Virág, D., Kalt, G., Baumgart, A., Eisenmenger, N., Feichtinger, G., Sommer, M., Kratena, K. Jahr: 2021
Forschungsbericht (extern. Auftraggeber)
Circular Economy and Decarbonisation: Synergies and trade-offs. Erster Zwischenbericht ACRP Forschungsprojekt KR19AC0K17512
Autoren: Haas, W., Meyer, I., Virág, D., Kalt, G., Eisenmenger, N., Sommer, M., Kratena, K Jahr: 2020
Forschungsbericht (extern. Auftraggeber)
Project staff
Willi Haas
Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Willi Haas
willi.haas@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-73720
Project Leader
01.09.2020 - 31.08.2023
Andre Sebastian Baumgart
Andre Sebastian Baumgart
andre.baumgart@boku.ac.at
Project Staff
01.09.2020 - 31.08.2023
Nina Eisenmenger
Assoc. Prof. Mag. Dr. Nina Eisenmenger
nina.eisenmenger@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-73717
Project Staff
01.09.2020 - 31.08.2023
Doris Virág
Dr. Doris Virág M.A. MSc.
doris.virag@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-73751
Project Staff
01.09.2020 - 31.08.2023
BOKU partners
External partners
Austrian Institute of Economic Research
none
partner