121
2.1 Energy
Energy and emissions fl ows, as calculated in the standard formulations of energy
and emissions accounting (OECD/IEA and Eurostat 2005 ), are still essential components of the socio-economic metabolism framework. The quantity of energy
required is a reliable indicator of aggregate economic activity and affl uence. The
way in which energy is used in society and sectors of the economy is a measure of
socio-economic status and structure.
The major role of energy accounting is one of monitoring the problem: recording
how much of what type of energy has been used and in which sector of the economy. This may enable assessment of excessive energy use or of overdependence on
a particular fuel or an emissions-intensive means of providing energy. A socioeconomic metabolism framework extends this accounting framework to have a
more explanatory function by linking energy fl ows with in-use stocks and material
cycles across sectors. From these explicit connections, we may proceed to simulations to develop possible solutions to global challenges: exploring the questions of
where to effectively intervene in the system to achieve lesser impacts, greater effi -
ciencies or other benefi cial outcomes for society.
For example, about one-third of the world’s population still relies on the use of
animal power and non-commercial fuels. More than 1.4 billion people have no
access to electricity (Global Energy Assessment 2012 ). If we are to redress this
CO 2
5.9 Gt
16 %
5.8 Gt
16 %
1.7 Gt
4 %
6.5 Gt
18 %
2.8 Gt
8 %
14.2 Gt
38 %
0.03 Gt
0.1 %
Energy
Agriculture,
forestry (incl. LUC)
Materials production
Manufacturing,
construction
Use
Transport
Buildings
Other infrastructure
Waste management
Materials
Atmosphere
7 EJ
2 %
63 EJ
44 EJ
20 %
36 EJ Energy industries
Lithosphere
11 %
96 EJ
31 %
112 EJ
263 EJ
8 EJ
36 %
Fig. 6.2 Socio-economic metabolism framework including energy and emissions fl ows (as in
IPCC Guidelines) and material fl ows. Stocks of materials and energy can occur in all segments of
the diagram though in-use stocks lie within the boundary around the economic system
6 A Socio-economic Metabolism Approach to Sustainable Development and Climate…
2.1 Energy
Energy and emissions fl ows, as calculated in the standard formulations of energy
and emissions accounting (OECD/IEA and Eurostat 2005 ), are still essential components of the socio-economic metabolism framework. The quantity of energy
required is a reliable indicator of aggregate economic activity and affl uence. The
way in which energy is used in society and sectors of the economy is a measure of
socio-economic status and structure.
The major role of energy accounting is one of monitoring the problem: recording
how much of what type of energy has been used and in which sector of the economy. This may enable assessment of excessive energy use or of overdependence on
a particular fuel or an emissions-intensive means of providing energy. A socioeconomic metabolism framework extends this accounting framework to have a
more explanatory function by linking energy fl ows with in-use stocks and material
cycles across sectors. From these explicit connections, we may proceed to simulations to develop possible solutions to global challenges: exploring the questions of
where to effectively intervene in the system to achieve lesser impacts, greater effi -
ciencies or other benefi cial outcomes for society.
For example, about one-third of the world’s population still relies on the use of
animal power and non-commercial fuels. More than 1.4 billion people have no
access to electricity (Global Energy Assessment 2012 ). If we are to redress this
CO 2
5.9 Gt
16 %
5.8 Gt
16 %
1.7 Gt
4 %
6.5 Gt
18 %
2.8 Gt
8 %
14.2 Gt
38 %
0.03 Gt
0.1 %
Energy
Agriculture,
forestry (incl. LUC)
Materials production
Manufacturing,
construction
Use
Transport
Buildings
Other infrastructure
Waste management
Materials
Atmosphere
7 EJ
2 %
63 EJ
44 EJ
20 %
36 EJ Energy industries
Lithosphere
11 %
96 EJ
31 %
112 EJ
263 EJ
8 EJ
36 %
Fig. 6.2 Socio-economic metabolism framework including energy and emissions fl ows (as in
IPCC Guidelines) and material fl ows. Stocks of materials and energy can occur in all segments of
the diagram though in-use stocks lie within the boundary around the economic system
6 A Socio-economic Metabolism Approach to Sustainable Development and Climate…