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Raw material consumption or total material consumption? Which indicator is better for evaluating material resource
1Charles University Environment Centre, J. Martiho 2/407, 162 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic. jan.kovanda@czp.cuni.cz.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
|May 15, 2020
Summary
This study introduces time series for raw material consumption (RMC) and total material consumption (TMC) in the Czech Republic. RMC is better for quantifying national material use, while TMC better evaluates environmental pressure from specific resources.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Economics
- Resource Management
Background:
- Time series data for raw material consumption (RMC) and total material consumption (TMC) are crucial for understanding national resource use and environmental impact.
- Existing RMC calculations use various input-output or hybrid methods, but published TMC time series using these approaches are scarce.
- The hybrid input-output life cycle assessment (IO-LCA) approach offers a robust framework for developing these material flow indicators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To calculate and present time series of RMC and TMC for the Czech Republic (1990-2017) using a hybrid IO-LCA method.
- To assess the suitability of RMC and TMC indicators for quantifying national material consumption.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of RMC and TMC in assessing environmental pressure related to material resource consumption.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a hybrid input-output life cycle assessment (IO-LCA) approach.
- Developed time series data for raw material consumption (RMC) and total material consumption (TMC) for the Czech Republic from 1990 to 2017.
- Analyzed the temporal development of material components within the RMC and TMC indicators.
Main Results:
- RMC is more suitable for quantifying national material resource consumption, as TMC includes displaced, non-consumed flows.
- Trends in environmental pressure, as indicated by RMC and TMC, show similar patterns for the Czech Republic.
- RMC significantly underestimates total environmental pressure, a critical factor for international comparisons.
- The material structure of RMC and TMC differs, with TMC being more appropriate for evaluating environmental pressure linked to specific resources like coal and minerals.
Conclusions:
- RMC is the preferred indicator for quantifying a nation's material resource consumption.
- While RMC trends mirror TMC trends in the Czech Republic, RMC underestimates overall environmental pressure.
- TMC is more effective for evaluating the environmental impact associated with specific material types, such as fossil fuels and construction minerals.
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