Browsing by Keyword "General Social Sciences"
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Item Monitoring domestic material consumption at lower territorial levels: A novel data downscaling method: A novel data downscaling method(2020-10-01) Bianchi, Marco; Tapia, Carlos; del Valle, Ikerne; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; ECONOMÍA CIRCULARThe availability of harmonized and granular information is critical for the design of place‐sensitive policies toward more sustainable economies. However, accessibility to disaggregated data at subnational levels remains an exception in many geographies and policy domains. In this article, we develop a novel three‐stage—specification, optimization, extrapolation (SOE)—econometric approach to infer harmonized regional level estimates from broadly available socioeconomic data. The approach is tested by estimating domestic material consumption (DMC) in more than 280 European regions (at NUTS 2 level). Unlike previous methods based on similar econometric techniques, our method makes explicit the socio‐metabolic profiles of subnational territories by estimating and applying country‐specific elasticities. Our DMC estimates are consistent with those obtained by ad hoc material flow studies that could be accessed for a sample of regions. The SOE method presented in this paper provides decision‐makers with a powerful tool to explore socio‐metabolic profiles at subnational level and therefore to understand the potential effects of policies aimed at supporting circular economy transitions at such levels. The method can also be adapted with relative ease to support policy designs in other policy areas challenged by severe data scarcity.Item Reducing the carbon footprint of ICT products through material efficiency strategies: A life cycle analysis of smartphones: A life cycle analysis of smartphones(2021-04) Cordella, Mauro; Alfieri, Felice; Sanfelix, Javier; Tecnalia Research & InnovationWith the support of a life cycle assessment model, this study estimates the carbon footprint (CF) of smartphones and life cycle costs (LCC) for consumers in scenarios where different material efficiency strategies are implemented in Europe. Results show that a major contribution to the CF of smartphones is due to extraction and processing of materials and following manufacturing of parts: 10.7 kg CO2,eq/year, when assuming a biennial replacement cycle. Printed wiring board, display assembly, and integrated circuits make 75% of the impacts from materials. The CF is increased by assembly (+2.7 kg CO2,eq/year), distribution (+1.9 kg CO2,eq/year), and recharging of the device (+1.9 kg CO2,eq/year) and decreased by the end of life recycling (−0.8 kg CO2,eq/year). However, the CF of smartphones can dramatically increase when the energy consumed in communication services is counted (+26.4 kg CO2,eq/year). LCC can vary significantly (235–622 EUR/year). The service contract can in particular be a decisive cost factor (up to 61–85% of the LCC). It was calculated that the 1:1 displacement of new smartphones by used devices could decrease the CF by 52–79% (excluding communication services) and the LCC by 5–16%. An extension of the replacement cycle from 2 to 3 years could decrease the CF by 23–30% and the LCC by 4–10%, depending on whether repair operations are required. Measures for implementing such material efficiency strategies are presented and results can help inform decision‐makers about how to reduce impacts associated with smartphones.