Recent approaches to sustainable development leave much room for policies at a local level. In fact, it is becoming evident that targets such as increasing resource productivity, preserving natural cycles, or extending the present level of welfare, are best pursued within the confines of a local area. In particular, environmental changes are best brought about by considering local systems of firms as cornerstones of co-operative strategies and using data on materials and energy use in physical terms. In this paper, an enterprise input-output model is developed for an industrial district, i.e. a local group of firms co-operating to produce a single final output. The model allows for a detailed quantitative analysis of materials and energy flows and the consequent generation of waste and pollution. As a planning tool, the model may be used to evaluate alternative scenarios, such as the possibility of re-using waste taking account of sustainability requirements. An empirical case study applies the model to an Italian industrial district in the upholstery sector.
Analyzing Material and Energy Flows in an Industrial District using an Enterprise Input-Output Model
ALBINO, Vito;KUHTZ, Silvana
2003-01-01
Abstract
Recent approaches to sustainable development leave much room for policies at a local level. In fact, it is becoming evident that targets such as increasing resource productivity, preserving natural cycles, or extending the present level of welfare, are best pursued within the confines of a local area. In particular, environmental changes are best brought about by considering local systems of firms as cornerstones of co-operative strategies and using data on materials and energy use in physical terms. In this paper, an enterprise input-output model is developed for an industrial district, i.e. a local group of firms co-operating to produce a single final output. The model allows for a detailed quantitative analysis of materials and energy flows and the consequent generation of waste and pollution. As a planning tool, the model may be used to evaluate alternative scenarios, such as the possibility of re-using waste taking account of sustainability requirements. An empirical case study applies the model to an Italian industrial district in the upholstery sector.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
