Industrial Ecology and Input-output Analysis

This course will introduce students to the concepts, methods of Economic Input-output Analysis, and applications in Industrial Ecology. Industrial ecology is a rapidly growing field that uses natural systems as a model for designing sustainable industrial systems. It helps to redesign the uses and flows of resources, materials, and energy in a way that minimizes environmental impacts and waste. Building upon the principles of the industrial ecology framework, the course introduces the input-output model as the fundamental tool for assessing sustainability quantitatively. Input-Output Analysis enables further analysis into the equilibrium relationship among various sectors of the national economy and has been extended by many researchers to account for environmental pollution generation and abatement associated with interindustry activities. The focus will not be limited to environmental impacts, but also economic and social impacts. The course assumes some familiarity with environmenta