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Projeto de investigação
Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research
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Design for sustainability models : a multiperspective review
Publication . Sousa Rocha, Cristina; Antunes, Paula; Partidário, Paulo Jorge
ABSTRACT: Several authors have identified limitations in the uptake of design for sustainability (DfS) in companies and value chains. In spite of the extensive literature on the subject, researchers and practitioners still do not share a common overview on the subject, which hinders operationalization efforts. This paper proposes that DfS adoption is more likely to be successful if informed by corporate sustainability management and design management theories. Therefore, an analytical framework has been developed and applied to systematically analyse ten published design for sustainability models, which were identified through an extensive literature review. The analytical framework is composed of nine building blocks, or elements, organized in three levels: strategic, tactical and operational. To facilitate a more detailed and objective analysis of the selected models against each element, 22 questions have been established. The findings show that while some authors have focused on abstract models that support companies in establishing a vision and concepts for (more) sustainable products and services, others offer more instrumental approaches to guide the different phases of design. On the level of the building blocks, there is a considerable alignment of the models with the analytical framework; the detailed mechanisms and processes for implementation, however, vary a lot. Overall, difficulties related to developing a sustainability vision that guides the design for sustainability process, co-creating with stakeholders and harmonizing environmental, social and economic criteria were identified. The social dimension of design for sustainability is still poorly established and tackled in a multi-level, non-systemized way. The paper concludes with promising research directions focusing on design for sustainability.
Addressing rising energy needs of megacities : case study of Greater Cairo
Publication . Alla, Sara Abd; Simoes, Sofia; Bianco, Vincenzo
ABSTRACT: Urban energy system modelling allows megacities to assess their future development and to draw sustainable pathways to meet the rapidly increasing energy needs. This paper elaborates three different scenarios for energy transition in Greater Cairo with particular emphasis on the impact of lowering the share of inhabitants living in informal settlements. A city-specific TIMES energy system model is used to investigate how energy supply and demand will evolve between 2015 and 2050. Besides, the impacts in final
energy consumption and CO2 emissions are investigated considering different socio-economic pathways.
The scenarios show that the long-term cost-efficiency optimization leads to the decarbonization of the
power sector even in the absence of climate constraints. Climate policies are modeled to achieve by 2050 a carbon emissions reduction of 50% below the 2015 baseline. The results indicate that the implementation
of current urban plans will double the carbon emissions per capita if no mitigation policies are adopted. The urban expansion programs need to take into consideration the energy-environment economic nexus and to be coupled with climate mitigation policies to contain the rising carbon emissions.
Seasonal Forecast Climate Data and Hydropower Production in the Douro Basin, in Portugal
Publication . Diogo, Paulo; Beça, Pedro; Simoes, Sofia; Amorim, Filipa; Mujtaba, Babar
ABSTRACT: The project CLIM2POWER aims at developing a climate service including state-of-the art seasonal climate forecasts in the planning of the operation of the power systems. This work presents part of the project, addressing the forecasting of the hydropower generation in a case study area, the Portuguese part of the transboundary Douro River basin. Rainfall-runoff modelling was performed on a daily scale using three ensemble members of seasonal climate data (six months) for Portuguese territory crossed with three daily inflow scenarios from Spanish territory defined according to historical observed data. The obtained results reflect the fact that seasonal climate forecast present a wide variation of scenarios and also the fact that hydropower production in Portuguese territory is highly dependent on transboundary inflows. On the other hand, the implemented approach successfully produced consistent runoff and hydropower production results although improvements on the identification of the most probable scenarios are yet required.
Circular economy modelling for climate change mitigation: A review of empirical evidence and modelling approaches
Publication . Zanon Zotin, Marianne; Fortes, Patricia; Corbier, Darius; Deetman, Sebastiaan; Edelenbosch, Oreane; van Engelenburg, Martijn; Hauenstein, Christian; Hertwich, Edgar; Jiang, Meng; von Köckritz, Luja; Magalar, Leticia; Pauliuk, Stefan; Straub, Lucas; Vélez-Henao, Johan; van Vuuren, Detlef
ABSTRACT: Circular economy (CE) measures can play a role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially in material- and energy-intensive sectors. Yet, their representation in GHG mitigation pathways is still not well captured in climate change mitigation models. To support modelling efforts towards better CE representation, two reviews were conducted: (1) the empirical evidence on the GHG mitigation potential of CE strategies across material supply and demand sectors and R-strategies, and (2) the current modelling approaches used to assess these strategies. Findings show that, while most studies focus on recycling, increasing attention is given to upstream strategies such as material substitution, design for reuse, and service-based business models. Important gaps remain, particularly around Refuse, Rethink, behavioural factors, rebound effects, as well as synergies and trade-offs with climate policy. Industrial ecology methods provide a detailed material flows representation but lack feedback mechanisms and economic dynamics. In contrast, GHG mitigation models offer broader system coverage but often simplify materials and CE dynamics. Better alignment between methods is needed, including shared definitions, improved data, and more collaboration across modelling communities. Strengthening the modelling of CE strategies can support policy-relevant assessments of CE’s contribution to achieving global climate goals.
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Entidade financiadora
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Programa de financiamento
6817 - DCRRNI ID
Número da atribuição
UID/AMB/04085/2019