CIRCOMOD’s first workshop, 29 September 2022

What we should know about the models covered in CIRCOMOD

Three months after the start of the project, the team of modellers from CIRCOMOD came together in an online workshop to learn more about each other’s work, models, structure, different strategies for the circular economy, and to explore the complementarities of the models covered under the project.

CIRCOMOD works with a diverse set of models including those used in Integrated Impact Assessment of processes and economies (IMAGE, WITCH); Energy Systems Modelling (JRC-EU-TIMES); Macro-Economic computable general equilibrium modelling GEM-E3; Industrial Ecology (ODYM-RECC, IMAGE-MAT) . (see more in OUR WORK about models covered by CIRCOMOD)

An important ambition of CIRCOMOS is to significantly improve and integrate these models for the holistic assessment of how climate change mitigation can be aided by different circular economy strategies known as as 9R: Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle and Recover.

The discussion revealed that while the models have different intentions, such as understanding the interaction between human development and nature, showing material stock dynamics, examining the impact on climate policy, meeting energy demand , as well as the temporal scope and methods, there are many points on which CIRCOMOD’s further work can build. These points are:

  • High sectoral and regional coverage

  • Economic feedback and physical representation of economy

  • Representation of climate change indicators

  • Details on energy system and transition and its impact on material demand

  • R-strategy coverage and materail cycle coverage

The main conclusion of the workshop was that CIRCOMOD can build on the models, each with different capabilities and strengths. However, many things need to be discussed further to maximize synergies and dive deeper into model principles to find out what is possible.

The next workshop is planned for the end of 2022 and will be a follow-up to the first workshop discussion and the analysis to be made by then.

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