Browsing by Author "Karytsas, Constantine"
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- Climate mitigation models need to become circular : let's start with the construction sectorPublication . Lima, Ana Teresa; Simoes, Sofia; Aloini, Davide; Zerbino, Pierluigi; Oikonomou, Theoni I.; Karytsas, Spyridon; Karytsas, Constantine; Calvo, Oscar Seco; Porcar, Beatriz; Herrera, I.; Slabik, Simon; Dürr, Hans H.; Genovese, Andrea; Bimpizas-Pinis, MeletiosABSTRACT: 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.).
- The CO2NSTRUCT European project: Modelling the role of Circular Economy in construction value chains for a carbon-neutral EuropePublication . Oikonomou, Theoni I.; Karytsas, Spyridon; Karytsas, Constantine; Simoes, Sofia; Calvo, Oscar Seco; Egido, M.N. Sánchez; Castro, S. Soutullo; Zerbino, Pierluigi; Aloini, Davide; Genovese, Andrea; Bimpizas-Pinis, Meletios; Slabik, Simon; Lima, Ana TeresaABSTRACT: Linear climate mitigation models look into aggregated economic sectors and model greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions disregarding downstream value chains, making particular sectors accountable for downstream (or upstream) GHG emissions. Hence, the present climate mitigation models inconsistently account for indirect GHG emissions; underrepresent upstream and downstream value chains; do not address Circular Economy (CE) practices; do not cover resource consumption, thus not considering materials' circularity. To provide curated policy support for decision-making for carbon neutrality and other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), models need to shift from linear to circular. To achieve this, a link between energy-climate mitigation modelling and cradle-to-cradle assessment CE analytical tools must be established. This is the core issue covered in the CO2NSTRUCT Horizon project (2022-2026). CO2NSTRUCT proposes a framework to supplement the well-established JRC-EU-TIMES model, using a highly comprehensive technological representation with CE measures. The framework will apply CE measures to the value chain of six carbon-intensive construction materials (i.e., cement, steel, brick, glass, wood, and insulation materials) and will provide new components to the JRC-EU-TIMES model, including citizen behaviour; societal impacts; rebound effects; supply and value chains. The results will be used for policy approaches integrating CE into climate change mitigation actions.