Podcast
Questions and Answers
What concept emphasizes the importance of viewing environmental impacts from both local and global perspectives?
What concept emphasizes the importance of viewing environmental impacts from both local and global perspectives?
- Resource extraction
- Footprint approach (correct)
- Life-cycle assessment
- Pollution perspective
In the context of environmental economics, what does the term 'sink' refer to?
In the context of environmental economics, what does the term 'sink' refer to?
- Minimizing resource consumption
- Using the environment to absorb waste and pollutants (correct)
- Extracting energy from natural resources
- Managing resources sustainably
What framework is used to analyze the environmental and social impacts of economic activities?
What framework is used to analyze the environmental and social impacts of economic activities?
- DPSIR Framework (correct)
- PEST Analysis
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- SWOT Analysis
Which process requires both energy and materials while also resulting in waste generation?
Which process requires both energy and materials while also resulting in waste generation?
What is a primary focus of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?
What is a primary focus of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?
What aspect is crucial when assessing the overall impact of consumption patterns?
What aspect is crucial when assessing the overall impact of consumption patterns?
Which of the following is NOT a method to understand consumption impacts?
Which of the following is NOT a method to understand consumption impacts?
What does the DPSIR framework primarily help to evaluate?
What does the DPSIR framework primarily help to evaluate?
What has historically driven global emissions reductions?
What has historically driven global emissions reductions?
What is the main challenge presented in decoupling CO2 emissions from economic growth?
What is the main challenge presented in decoupling CO2 emissions from economic growth?
What is indicated as necessary to stabilize temperatures?
What is indicated as necessary to stabilize temperatures?
What does the term 'ambiguous relative decoupling' refer to?
What does the term 'ambiguous relative decoupling' refer to?
What does the term 'emission intensity' refer to?
What does the term 'emission intensity' refer to?
What is the target for reducing CO2 emissions by 2050 as indicated in the content?
What is the target for reducing CO2 emissions by 2050 as indicated in the content?
What does the term 'global fossil CO2 emissions' imply regarding historical trends?
What does the term 'global fossil CO2 emissions' imply regarding historical trends?
What ultimately challenges the economic machine in relation to energy?
What ultimately challenges the economic machine in relation to energy?
What does the IPAT identity represent in environmental science?
What does the IPAT identity represent in environmental science?
Which of the following is NOT one of the five stages in the life cycle analysis of a smartphone?
Which of the following is NOT one of the five stages in the life cycle analysis of a smartphone?
In the Kaya identity, what factors are multiplied to estimate CO2 emissions?
In the Kaya identity, what factors are multiplied to estimate CO2 emissions?
What does the term 'affluence' refer to in the context of the IPAT identity?
What does the term 'affluence' refer to in the context of the IPAT identity?
Which framework is referred to as 'the safe and just space for humanity'?
Which framework is referred to as 'the safe and just space for humanity'?
What is the purpose of mixing the Doughnut approach with life cycle analysis?
What is the purpose of mixing the Doughnut approach with life cycle analysis?
Which element is a driver of impacts at the macro level as described by the IPAT identity?
Which element is a driver of impacts at the macro level as described by the IPAT identity?
What does the Kaya identity seek to explain concerning CO2 emissions?
What does the Kaya identity seek to explain concerning CO2 emissions?
What is the primary learning objective of the class workshop on transition scenarios?
What is the primary learning objective of the class workshop on transition scenarios?
In the context of the workshop, what is emphasized in the policy and actions scenario development?
In the context of the workshop, what is emphasized in the policy and actions scenario development?
Which factor should teams discuss regarding the limitations of the simulation tool used in the workshop?
Which factor should teams discuss regarding the limitations of the simulation tool used in the workshop?
What is the expected teamwork structure during the workshop?
What is the expected teamwork structure during the workshop?
Which is NOT a recommended step in the workshop's simulator activity?
Which is NOT a recommended step in the workshop's simulator activity?
What does the workshop suggest regarding feedback loops in the simulation tool?
What does the workshop suggest regarding feedback loops in the simulation tool?
What is a crucial aspect teams need to consider when proposing policies during the workshop?
What is a crucial aspect teams need to consider when proposing policies during the workshop?
During the workshop, what is expected when understanding transition/sustainability goals?
During the workshop, what is expected when understanding transition/sustainability goals?
What is the direct rebound effect in energy usage?
What is the direct rebound effect in energy usage?
Which of the following describes an indirect rebound effect?
Which of the following describes an indirect rebound effect?
Which of the following is true about eco-efficiency?
Which of the following is true about eco-efficiency?
What consequence can arise from rebound effects at the household level?
What consequence can arise from rebound effects at the household level?
What does 'burden shifting' refer to in environmental economics?
What does 'burden shifting' refer to in environmental economics?
What do 'sufficiency measures' aim to achieve?
What do 'sufficiency measures' aim to achieve?
How does eco-efficiency relate to 'Factor 4' or 'Factor 5'?
How does eco-efficiency relate to 'Factor 4' or 'Factor 5'?
What is a potential negative outcome of energy efficiency improvements?
What is a potential negative outcome of energy efficiency improvements?
What observation is made regarding the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) in relation to carbon emissions?
What observation is made regarding the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) in relation to carbon emissions?
What does the author suggest should be tested more rigorously regarding urban ambient concentrations?
What does the author suggest should be tested more rigorously regarding urban ambient concentrations?
What is implied about the future prospects of the EKC according to the content?
What is implied about the future prospects of the EKC according to the content?
According to the content, what is a potential draw back of the EKC model?
According to the content, what is a potential draw back of the EKC model?
What alternative to traditional decoupling is discussed?
What alternative to traditional decoupling is discussed?
What question about green growth are the authors posing?
What question about green growth are the authors posing?
What potential relationship is described between income and urban ambient concentrations of pollutants?
What potential relationship is described between income and urban ambient concentrations of pollutants?
What do the authors anticipate regarding the relationship between emissions and income in the future?
What do the authors anticipate regarding the relationship between emissions and income in the future?
Flashcards
The Doughnut Framework
The Doughnut Framework
A framework that visualizes a sustainable and just future for humanity, focusing on both social and environmental well-being, ensuring that basic needs are met while remaining within the planetary boundaries.
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
A framework that assesses the environmental impacts of an organization or product across its life cycle, from material extraction to disposal.
The Donut Approach (4 Lenses)
The Donut Approach (4 Lenses)
A comprehensive approach to sustainability that considers four key lenses: social equity, environmental limits, regenerative economics and governance.
IPAT Identity
IPAT Identity
Signup and view all the flashcards
Kaya Identity
Kaya Identity
Signup and view all the flashcards
Carbon Intensity (CO2/GDP)
Carbon Intensity (CO2/GDP)
Signup and view all the flashcards
Energy Intensity (Energy/GDP)
Energy Intensity (Energy/GDP)
Signup and view all the flashcards
Affluence (GDP/population)
Affluence (GDP/population)
Signup and view all the flashcards
Decoupling
Decoupling
Signup and view all the flashcards
Relative Decoupling
Relative Decoupling
Signup and view all the flashcards
Decoupling CO2 emissions from economic growth
Decoupling CO2 emissions from economic growth
Signup and view all the flashcards
Reducing CO2 emissions by 90% by 2050
Reducing CO2 emissions by 90% by 2050
Signup and view all the flashcards
Material Use
Material Use
Signup and view all the flashcards
CO2 Emission Intensity
CO2 Emission Intensity
Signup and view all the flashcards
Decoupling of Fossil CO2 Emission Intensity from Economic Growth
Decoupling of Fossil CO2 Emission Intensity from Economic Growth
Signup and view all the flashcards
Running the economic machine without energy
Running the economic machine without energy
Signup and view all the flashcards
What is the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC)?
What is the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC)?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What are some criticisms of the EKC?
What are some criticisms of the EKC?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What is decoupling in environmental economics?
What is decoupling in environmental economics?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What is green growth?
What is green growth?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What is the concept of 'good life' within planetary boundaries?
What is the concept of 'good life' within planetary boundaries?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Is it possible to achieve a 'good life' for all within planetary boundaries?
Is it possible to achieve a 'good life' for all within planetary boundaries?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Is green growth still possible and desirable?
Is green growth still possible and desirable?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Is it possible to decouple high-end intermediate ends from ultimate means?
Is it possible to decouple high-end intermediate ends from ultimate means?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What is Carbon Intensity?
What is Carbon Intensity?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What is Energy Intensity?
What is Energy Intensity?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What is the IPAT Identity?
What is the IPAT Identity?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What is the Kaya Identity?
What is the Kaya Identity?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What's a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)?
What's a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What is the Doughnut Framework?
What is the Doughnut Framework?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What is the role of Affluence in CO2 emissions?
What is the role of Affluence in CO2 emissions?
Signup and view all the flashcards
How does the Doughnut Framework work?
How does the Doughnut Framework work?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Rebound Effect
Rebound Effect
Signup and view all the flashcards
Backfire Effect
Backfire Effect
Signup and view all the flashcards
Direct Rebound Effect
Direct Rebound Effect
Signup and view all the flashcards
Indirect Rebound Effect
Indirect Rebound Effect
Signup and view all the flashcards
Economy-Wide Rebound Effect
Economy-Wide Rebound Effect
Signup and view all the flashcards
Energy Sufficiency
Energy Sufficiency
Signup and view all the flashcards
Pollution Transfer (Problem-Shifting)
Pollution Transfer (Problem-Shifting)
Signup and view all the flashcards
Burden Shifting
Burden Shifting
Signup and view all the flashcards
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Signup and view all the flashcards
Environmental Source
Environmental Source
Signup and view all the flashcards
Environmental Sink
Environmental Sink
Signup and view all the flashcards
Footprint Approach
Footprint Approach
Signup and view all the flashcards
DPSIR Framework
DPSIR Framework
Signup and view all the flashcards
Driving Forces (DPSIR)
Driving Forces (DPSIR)
Signup and view all the flashcards
Pressures (DPSIR)
Pressures (DPSIR)
Signup and view all the flashcards
State (DPSIR)
State (DPSIR)
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
Topics in Economics and Environment (Jour)
- Course offered by IHEC Brussels Management School, 2024-2025, taught by Philippe Roman
- Course covers topics relating to economics and environment
- Chapter 2 focuses on economies and the environment
Chapter 2: Economies and the Environment
- Required reading list includes:
- Miranda Cunha Tenorio and Gomez-Baggethun (2024)
- The Economist, "Green Light," November 12th, 2022
- Kuper,"The myth of green growth," Financial Times, 2019
Topics from Chapter 1
- How economics deals with the environment and ecological issues
- Relationships between economic and socioecological systems
- Economic policies for the environment
Topics from Chapter 3: Concepts, Theories, Indicators and Assessment Tools
- Sustainability as a key concept, principles, and metrics
- Business models with high sustainability potential
- Business models, theories, indicators and assessment tools
Chapter 2.1 Impacts of the Economy on the Environment
- 2.1.1. Multifaceted impacts:
- Impacts and their indicators
- 2.1.2. Assessing impacts
- 2.1.3. Decoupling, the EKC, and green growth
- 2.1.4. Unintended effects of eco-efficiency
- 2.1.5. Efficiency vs sufficiency & supply-side vs demand-side solutions
Resource Scarcity vs Toxic Abundance
- Are we running out of natural resources?
- The Simon-Ehrlich bet:
- Ehrlich believed scarcity
- Simon believed technological advances would increase efficiency
- Problems of pollution and sinks are possibly more pressing than resource depletion
- We should leave substantial amounts of oil, coal, and gas in the ground
Fossil Fuel Resources
- Fossil fuel resources include Oil, Gas and Coal/Lignite.
- Fossil fuel reserves exist, although quantities are not discussed in the text.
- Temperature increases relative to 1861-80 (°C)
Climate Change
- Go to climateactiontracker.org to research country emissions
- Understand the meaning of "fair share target"
- Research your chosen country's climate standing
Resource Scarcity
- Resource scarcity vs toxic abundance
- Are we running out of natural resources?
- The Simon-Ehrlich bet. who was correct?
- Problems of pollution and sinks are probably more pressing issues than resource depletion
Environmental Pressure Indicators
- What unit? (e.g., kg of chemicals released)
- Aggregation into a widely/easily-understandable indicator (e.g., ecological footprint)
- Indices versus accounts (e.g., GHG inventories, ecological footprint, Living Planet Index, Material flows, SDG Index, Environmental Performance Index)
- Territory-based or consumption-based emissions? (e.g., T-shirt production)
- Carbon territorial emissions vs carbon footprint
- Domestic material extraction vs material footprint
- Domestic water withdrawal vs water footprint
Growing Extraction of Materials
- Totaling domestic extraction of materials such as biomass, fossil fuels, metal ores and non-metallic minerals
- Graphic showing increase in material extraction over time
Domestic Extraction of Materials (2017)
- Countries with the 10 highest material extraction amounts per capita
- Chart showing values in million tonnes
Material Footprint per capita (1970-2017)
- Plot comparing Material Footprint by national income bands with world average
Material Footprint per capita (1970-2017)
- Plot comparing Material Footprint per capita by national income bands with world average
Metal Production Amounts and Environmental Impacts
- Amounts and environmental impacts of metal mining from 2000-2015 (10 metals)
- Includes data on production amounts, climate change impacts, ecotoxicity and human health impact
Global Water Withdrawal and Losses (1900-2010)
- Global population and water withdrawal over time
- Water withdrawal ratios by continent
- Graphic illustrating water withdrawals, municipal, industrial, etc
Water Stress (1981-2010)
- Water withdrawals and availability across the world
- Map showing water withdrawals and availability across the world
The Ecological Footprint
- Calculating consumption of resources and waste generation against nature's ability to absorb waste
- Diagram illustrating Footprint concept
- Includes metrics for a variety of factors
Global Ecological Footprint vs Biocapacity
- Plot illustrating global ecological footprint vs biocapacity over time
- Graph highlighting the use of resources against nature's ability to regenerate
- Includes carbon, fishing grounds, cropland, build-up land, forest products and grazing land
Global Ecological Footprint/Biocapacity (1961-2012)
- Graph highlighting how ecological footprint has exceeded biocapacity
Global Footprint by Income (1970 - 2017)
- Comparing national income bands (High, Upper-middle, Lower-middle and Low-income)
- Illustrating how the material footprint changes with income
CO2 emissions and atmospheric concentration
- Plot of atmospheric CO2 parts per million versus year (1000-2000s)
- Plot comparing global carbon emissions and fossil fuel burning emissions versus year
Temperature, Deviation from Average (1750-2000)
- Graph highlighting temperature deviations (1750-2000) versus year.
Global Carbon Budget (2010-2019)
- Total emissions and sinks for fossil fuels, land use change, land sink, and ocean sink
Global Methane Budget (2008-2017)
- Total emissions, atmospheric CH4 growth rate and total sinks from various sources
Global Fossil CO2 Emissions (1990-2022)
- Graph of Global Fossil CO2 Emissions showing overall increase over time
- Points of interest include major events impacting emissions (e.g. dissolution of Soviet Union and COVID-19 pandemic)
Total Global Emissions (1960-2022)
- Graph plotting Total Global Emissions versus year
- Land-use change highlighted as an important metric
Global Carbon Budget (1850-2021)
- Plot illustrating the cumulative contributions to the global carbon budget
Emission Gap Report 2018 (UNEP)
- Highlighted data on emissions pathways showing consistent paths to warming levels above 2°C and 1.5°C
Material Footprint and Related Indicators
- Consumption-based indicators, showing extraction of materials over time
- Territory-based indicators, showing domestic production of materials
- Comparing the two metrics
Decoupling through services
- Examining how service sector growth relates to energy use and emissions
- Statistical relationships between service sector growth and emissions
- Data analysis of trends
The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC)
- Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis
- Relationship between economic development, income and environmental degradation
The EKC: Not Working for Carbon Emissions
- Scatterplot showing lack of a clear relationship between CO2 and GDP/capita
CO2 Emissions Per Capita v GDP Per Capita (2016)
- Plot for various countries correlating CO2 emissions per individual versus GDP per individual
- Shows relationship between wealth and emissions
Carbon Dioxide Emissions per Capita vs GDP per capita
- Plot for different countries comparing GDP per capita versus CO2 emissions
Environmental Performance Index (2014)
- Scatterplot illustrating how Environmental Performance correlates to GDP per capita
Per capita plastic waste versus GDP per capita (2010)
- Scatterplot illustrating the relationship between per capita plastic waste production vs GDP per capita
Poor Prospects for the EKC
- Discussion on EKC not being a robust model for emissions reduction
Decoupling Ends from Means
- Intermediate ends (needs and wants) vs ultimate ends (end goal of life)
- Intermediate means (human-made capital) vs ultimate means (low-entropy matter-energy)
From Planetary Processes to Human Well-Being
- Framework linking planetary processes with human well-being
- Illustrates relationship between biophysical resource use and social outcomes using a diagram
Social Thresholds vs Biophysical Boundaries
- Relationships of social and biophysical boundaries, showing how social thresholds relate to biophysical boundaries transgressed
Ecological Footprint per person and Human Development Index (HDI) of Countries (2013)
- Graph relating countries' ecological footprints per person against their Human Development Index (HDI)
- Shows relationship between sustainability and development
Is Green Growth (Still) Possible? and Desirable?
- Question of the viability and desirability of Green Economic Growth
What if Recycling Takes Off?
- High material degradation and energy consumption despite recycling rates
- Assessment of recycling as a complete societal solution
Demand-Side Decarbonization vs Supply-Side Decarbonization
- Cost comparison of demand and supply side decarbonization solutions
Zero Waste Hierarchy
- Hierarchy of waste management options, from refuse and redesign to residual management
Sufficiency Actions and Rebound Effects
- Table including author, region, categories, measures, metric, and estimates of the rebound effect relating to various sufficiency actions
Constraints of the Environment on the Economy
- From cornucopian utopias to limits to growth and collapse
The Drivers of Impacts (Macro-level)
- Introducing the IPAT Identity (Impact = Population x Affluence x Technology).
The Drivers of CO2 emissions
- Application of the IPAT identity to CO2 emissions
Fossil CO2 Emissions and Intensity
- Understanding past and projected future fossil CO2 emission levels and intensities
- Trends in CO2 emissions relative to economic activity (GDP) and energy consumption, including specific periods (e.g., Great Depression, World Wars, oil crises, COVID-19 Pandemic)
Decoupling through Services
- Examining the relationship between energy use and emissions from service sector activities
The Limits to Growth Model
- Overview of the 1972 "Limits to Growth" model and its projections
Peak Fossil Fuels
- Estimated periods for peak production of various fossil fuels
When It Takes Increasing Amounts of Energy to Get Energy
- Introduction of the EROI concept and its application to energy extraction
Published EROI Values for Oil and Gas Production in the US (1920 - 2010)
- Diagram presenting EROI values for oil and gas production in the US over time, accompanied by notable historical events
- Trends in EROI over time with context of certain historical events.
Canadian Oil and Gas EROI Values and Trends
- Graph showing Canada's oil and gas EROI figures from 1989 to 2010.
New Assessments of EROI for Oil and Gas from Various Countries (1990 - 2010)
- Range of EROI values for oil and gas (from different countries and different studies) plotted over time
The Net Energy Cliff
- Graph illustrating how net energy produced declines over time as the cost of energy increases
Peak Era Model of Economic Growth
- Diagram of various factors influencing economic growth (e.g., increasing demand and lower oil prices)
Class Workshop
- Learning objectives for a climate policy simulator workshop
Workshop Guidelines
- Instructions for organizing and conducting a class workshop using a climate policy simulation tool
Climate Scenarios
- Exploration of climate scenarios using Climact 2050 Pathways Explorer, including specific examples on how energy choices influence emissions for the future
A Few Recommended Videos
- List of recommended videos (on YouTube) with links providing further information on the various topics.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your knowledge on key concepts in environmental economics and life cycle assessment. This quiz covers important topics such as environmental impacts, frameworks like DPSIR, and the challenges of decoupling emissions from economic growth. Dive in and see how well you understand these critical issues.