regional level, with broad-scale applications into initiatives aimed at circular
economy, bio-economy and fostering local industries.
The presenters reiterated that the systematic use of the above tools depends on an
extensive programme of awareness-raising, education and training of both private
and public sector actors, as well as the creation of collaborative partnerships that
reach along the life chain of materials and programmes. All these need to be
underpinned by adequate life cycle based databases and suitable metrics that allow
assessments to be reliably performed. It is also useful to undertake pilot studies and
compile case studies of successful initiatives.
2 Appreciation of the Presentations
The five presentations in this session described a variety of life cycle tools and
methodologies. While each presentation was on a different subject, they nevertheless formed a complementary set of approaches that can be of use to regions in
their pursuit of more sustainable forms of development. The case studies were
drawn from five different regions around the world—France (2), Germany,
Australia, South America (Peru), indicating that the use of life cycle tools for
regional development has universal relevance.
Benoit Ribon gave an interesting presentation of territorial metabolism (or
materials flows) in a north-eastern region in France (Alsace). Flows are calculated
according to a set of internal nodes that are connected by materials and energy
movements. This allows an estimation of internal consumption as well as of import
and export volumes. Such an analysis provides information towards the design of a
circular economy, and at a different level, the needs and options for local waste
management.
The presentation described a model to calculate regional MFA, revealing the
dynamics of resources in transit, waste management and internal (regional) production and consumption. All these have important sustainability implications.
Concerning the management considerations, through an MFA both the energy
sources as well as points of wastage can be more clearly identified, potentially
allowing efficient intervention to improve the path towards regional sustainability.
The study also highlighted some constraints, in particular that imposed by the
nomenclature of freight statistics. Freight is one of the few data sources at regional
level relating to materials importation and exportation, however the structure of the
data does not reflect well the life cycle of products. This inevitably leads to many
assumptions in data processing and modelling. A direct conclusion is thus that
regions themselves may need to ensure sufficient statistical data if they are to better
understand their circular economy dynamics.
Timothy Grant described a recent study in the State of South Australia aimed at
enhancing the circularity of materials flows to increase local employment, reduce
energy use and improve materials efficiency while diminishing waste generation.
The ensuing scenario development looked also at other benefits such as energy
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F. Balkau and T. Grant
economy, bio-economy and fostering local industries.
The presenters reiterated that the systematic use of the above tools depends on an
extensive programme of awareness-raising, education and training of both private
and public sector actors, as well as the creation of collaborative partnerships that
reach along the life chain of materials and programmes. All these need to be
underpinned by adequate life cycle based databases and suitable metrics that allow
assessments to be reliably performed. It is also useful to undertake pilot studies and
compile case studies of successful initiatives.
2 Appreciation of the Presentations
The five presentations in this session described a variety of life cycle tools and
methodologies. While each presentation was on a different subject, they nevertheless formed a complementary set of approaches that can be of use to regions in
their pursuit of more sustainable forms of development. The case studies were
drawn from five different regions around the world—France (2), Germany,
Australia, South America (Peru), indicating that the use of life cycle tools for
regional development has universal relevance.
Benoit Ribon gave an interesting presentation of territorial metabolism (or
materials flows) in a north-eastern region in France (Alsace). Flows are calculated
according to a set of internal nodes that are connected by materials and energy
movements. This allows an estimation of internal consumption as well as of import
and export volumes. Such an analysis provides information towards the design of a
circular economy, and at a different level, the needs and options for local waste
management.
The presentation described a model to calculate regional MFA, revealing the
dynamics of resources in transit, waste management and internal (regional) production and consumption. All these have important sustainability implications.
Concerning the management considerations, through an MFA both the energy
sources as well as points of wastage can be more clearly identified, potentially
allowing efficient intervention to improve the path towards regional sustainability.
The study also highlighted some constraints, in particular that imposed by the
nomenclature of freight statistics. Freight is one of the few data sources at regional
level relating to materials importation and exportation, however the structure of the
data does not reflect well the life cycle of products. This inevitably leads to many
assumptions in data processing and modelling. A direct conclusion is thus that
regions themselves may need to ensure sufficient statistical data if they are to better
understand their circular economy dynamics.
Timothy Grant described a recent study in the State of South Australia aimed at
enhancing the circularity of materials flows to increase local employment, reduce
energy use and improve materials efficiency while diminishing waste generation.
The ensuing scenario development looked also at other benefits such as energy
434
F. Balkau and T. Grant