IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/inecol/v26y2022i3p683-703.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The PIOLab: Building global physical input–output tables in a virtual laboratory

Author

Listed:
  • Hanspeter Wieland
  • Manfred Lenzen
  • Arne Geschke
  • Jacob Fry
  • Dominik Wiedenhofer
  • Nina Eisenmenger
  • Johannes Schenk
  • Stefan Giljum

Abstract

Informed environmental‐economic policy decisions require a solid understanding of the economy's biophysical basis. Global physical input–output tables (gPIOTs) collate a vast array of information on the world economy's physical structure and its interdependence with the environment, which can help to monitor progress toward a sustainable circular economy. However, building gPIOTs requires dealing with mismatched and incomplete primary data with high uncertainties, which makes it a time‐consuming and labor‐intensive endeavor. We address this challenge by introducing the PIOLab: A virtual laboratory for building gPIOTs. This represents the newest branch of the industrial ecology virtual laboratory (IELab) concept, a cloud‐computing platform and collaborative research environment through which participants can pool resources to assemble individual input–output tables that target specific research questions. To overcome the lack of primary data, the PIOLab builds extensively upon secondary data derived from a variety of models commonly used in industrial ecology. We use the case of global iron‐steel supply chains to describe the architecture of the PIOLab and highlight its analytical capabilities. A major strength of the gPIOT is its ability to provide mass‐balanced indicators on both apparent/direct and embodied/indirect flows, for regions and disaggregated economic sectors. We present the first gPIOTs for 10 years (2008–2017), covering 32 regions, 30 processes, and 39 types of iron/steel flows. Diagnostic tests of the data reconciliation show a good level of adherence between raw data and the values realized in the gPIOT. We conclude with elaborating on how the PIOLab will be extended to cover other materials and energy flows. This article met the requirements for a Gold‐Gold JIE data openness badge described at http://jie.click/badges.

Suggested Citation

  • Hanspeter Wieland & Manfred Lenzen & Arne Geschke & Jacob Fry & Dominik Wiedenhofer & Nina Eisenmenger & Johannes Schenk & Stefan Giljum, 2022. "The PIOLab: Building global physical input–output tables in a virtual laboratory," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(3), pages 683-703, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:26:y:2022:i:3:p:683-703
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.13215
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13215
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1111/jiec.13215?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Manfred Lenzen & Blanca Gallego & Richard Wood, 2009. "Matrix Balancing Under Conflicting Information," Economic Systems Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(1), pages 23-44.
    2. Jean-Yves Courtonne & Julien Alapetite & Pierre-Yves Longaretti & Denis Dupre, 2015. "Downscaling material flow analysis: the case of the cereal supply chain in France," Post-Print halshs-01321742, HAL.
    3. Wiedenhofer, Dominik & Fishman, Tomer & Lauk, Christian & Haas, Willi & Krausmann, Fridolin, 2019. "Integrating Material Stock Dynamics Into Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounting: Concepts, Modelling, and Global Application for 1900–2050," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 121-133.
    4. Courtonne, Jean-Yves & Alapetite, Julien & Longaretti, Pierre-Yves & Dupré, Denis & Prados, Emmanuel, 2015. "Downscaling material flow analysis: The case of the cereal supply chain in France," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 67-80.
    5. Arne Geschke & Michalis Hadjikakou, 2017. "Virtual laboratories and MRIO analysis – an introduction," Economic Systems Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(2), pages 143-157, April.
    6. Weisz, Helga & Duchin, Faye, 2006. "Physical and monetary input-output analysis: What makes the difference?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 57(3), pages 534-541, May.
    7. Yafei Wang, 2017. "An industrial ecology virtual framework for policy making in China," Economic Systems Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(2), pages 252-274, April.
    8. Nechifor, Victor & Calzadilla, Alvaro & Bleischwitz, Raimund & Winning, Matthew & Tian, Xu & Usubiaga, Arkaitz, 2020. "Steel in a circular economy: Global implications of a green shift in China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    9. Edgar Hertwich & Niko Heeren & Brandon Kuczenski & Guillaume Majeau†Bettez & Rupert J. Myers & Stefan Pauliuk & Konstantin Stadler & Reid Lifset, 2018. "Nullius in Verba: Advancing Data Transparency in Industrial Ecology," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(1), pages 6-17, February.
    10. Stefan Pauliuk & Guillaume Majeau-Bettez & Daniel B. Müller, 2015. "A General System Structure and Accounting Framework for Socioeconomic Metabolism," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 19(5), pages 728-741, October.
    11. Stefano Merciai & Jannick Schmidt, 2018. "Methodology for the Construction of Global Multi†Regional Hybrid Supply and Use Tables for the EXIOBASE v3 Database," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(3), pages 516-531, June.
    12. Anthony T. Flegg & Leonardo J. Mastronardi & Carlos A. Romero, 2016. "Evaluating the FLQ and AFLQ formulae for estimating regional input coefficients: empirical evidence for the province of Córdoba, Argentina," Economic Systems Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(1), pages 21-37, March.
    13. Hale Çetinay & Franco Donati & Reinout Heijungs & Benjamin Sprecher, 2020. "Efficient computation of environmentally extended input–output scenario and circular economy modeling," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(5), pages 976-985, October.
    14. Tao Wang & Daniel B. Müller & Seiji Hashimoto, 2015. "The Ferrous Find: Counting Iron and Steel Stocks in China's Economy," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 19(5), pages 877-889, October.
    15. Heinz Schandl & Marina Fischer‐Kowalski & James West & Stefan Giljum & Monika Dittrich & Nina Eisenmenger & Arne Geschke & Mirko Lieber & Hanspeter Wieland & Anke Schaffartzik & Fridolin Krausmann & S, 2018. "Global Material Flows and Resource Productivity: Forty Years of Evidence," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(4), pages 827-838, August.
    16. Wang, Peng & Jiang, Zeyi & Geng, Xinyi & Hao, Shiyu & Zhang, Xinxin, 2014. "Quantification of Chinese steel cycle flow: Historical status and future options," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 191-199.
    17. Jean-Yves Courtonne & Julien Alapetite & Pierre-Yves Longaretti & Denis Dupré & Emmanuel Prados, 2015. "Downscaling material flow analysis: the case of the cereals supply chain in France," Working Papers hal-01142357, HAL.
    18. Wei‐Qiang Chen, 2018. "Dynamic Product‐Level Analysis of In‐Use Aluminum Stocks in the United States," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(6), pages 1425-1435, December.
    19. Malte Jahn & Anthony T. Flegg & Timo Tohmo, 2020. "Testing and implementing a new approach to estimating interregional output multipliers using input–output data for South Korean regions," Spatial Economic Analysis, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(2), pages 165-185, April.
    20. Bullard, Clark W. & Herendeen, Robert A., 1975. "The energy cost of goods and services," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 3(4), pages 268-278, December.
    21. Stefan Pauliuk & Niko Heeren & Mohammad Mahadi Hasan & Daniel B. Müller, 2019. "A general data model for socioeconomic metabolism and its implementation in an industrial ecology data commons prototype," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(5), pages 1016-1027, October.
    22. Ayres, Robert U & Kneese, Allen V, 1969. "Production , Consumption, and Externalities," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 59(3), pages 282-297, June.
    23. Bram Edens & Rutger Hoekstra & Daan Zult & Oscar Lemmers & Harry Wilting & Ronghao Wu, 2015. "A Method To Create Carbon Footprint Estimates Consistent With National Accounts," Economic Systems Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(4), pages 440-457, December.
    24. Futu Faturay & Ya-Yen Sun & Erik Dietzenbacher & Arunima Malik & Arne Geschke & Manfred Lenzen, 2020. "Using virtual laboratories for disaster analysis – a case study of Taiwan," Economic Systems Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(1), pages 58-83, January.
    25. Wiedmann, Thomas & Wilting, Harry C. & Lenzen, Manfred & Lutter, Stephan & Palm, Viveka, 2011. "Quo Vadis MRIO? Methodological, data and institutional requirements for multi-region input-output analysis," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(11), pages 1937-1945, September.
    26. Pauliuk, Stefan & Kondo, Yasushi & Nakamura, Shinichiro & Nakajima, Kenichi, 2017. "Regional distribution and losses of end-of-life steel throughout multiple product life cycles—Insights from the global multiregional MaTrace model," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 84-93.
    27. Jan Kovanda, 2019. "Use of Physical Supply and Use Tables for Calculation of Economy‐Wide Material Flow Indicators," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(4), pages 893-905, August.
    28. Alexandre Tisserant & Stefan Pauliuk & Stefano Merciai & Jannick Schmidt & Jacob Fry & Richard Wood & Arnold Tukker, 2017. "Solid Waste and the Circular Economy: A Global Analysis of Waste Treatment and Waste Footprints," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(3), pages 628-640, June.
    29. Suh, Sangwon, 2004. "A note on the calculus for physical input-output analysis and its application to land appropriation of international trade activities," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 9-17, January.
    30. Helmut Haberl & Dominik Wiedenhofer & Stefan Pauliuk & Fridolin Krausmann & Daniel B. Müller & Marina Fischer-Kowalski, 2019. "Contributions of sociometabolic research to sustainability science," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 2(3), pages 173-184, March.
    31. Stefan Pauliuk, 2020. "Making sustainability science a cumulative effort," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(1), pages 2-4, January.
    32. Liz Wachs & Shweta Singh, 2018. "A modular bottom-up approach for constructing physical input–output tables (PIOTs) based on process engineering models," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 7(1), pages 1-24, December.
    33. Manfred Lenzen & Sven Lundie, 2012. "Constructing enterprise input-output tables - a case study of New Zealand dairy products," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 1(1), pages 1-15, December.
    34. Glenn A. Aguilar-Hernandez & Carlos Pablo Sigüenza-Sanchez & Franco Donati & João F. D. Rodrigues & Arnold Tukker, 2018. "Assessing circularity interventions: a review of EEIOA-based studies," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 7(1), pages 1-24, December.
    35. Malte Jahn, 2017. "Extending the FLQ formula: a location quotient-based interregional input–output framework," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(10), pages 1518-1529, October.
    36. Hoekstra, Rutger & van den Bergh, Jeroen C.J.M., 2006. "Constructing physical input-output tables for environmental modeling and accounting: Framework and illustrations," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 59(3), pages 375-393, September.
    37. Herman E. Daly, 1968. "On Economics as a Life Science," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 76, pages 392-392.
    38. Leontief, Wassily, 1970. "Environmental Repercussions and the Economic Structure: An Input-Output Approach," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 52(3), pages 262-271, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Jan Streeck & Stefan Pauliuk & Hanspeter Wieland & Dominik Wiedenhofer, 2023. "A review of methods to trace material flows into final products in dynamic material flow analysis: From industry shipments in physical units to monetary input–output tables, Part 1," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(2), pages 436-456, April.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Hanspeter Wieland & Stefan Giljum & Nina Eisenmenger & Dominik Wiedenhofer & Martin Bruckner & Anke Schaffartzik & Anne Owen, 2020. "Supply versus use designs of environmental extensions in input–output analysis: Conceptual and empirical implications for the case of energy," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(3), pages 548-563, June.
    2. Jan Streeck & Stefan Pauliuk & Hanspeter Wieland & Dominik Wiedenhofer, 2023. "A review of methods to trace material flows into final products in dynamic material flow analysis: From industry shipments in physical units to monetary input–output tables, Part 1," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(2), pages 436-456, April.
    3. Glenn A. Aguilar‐Hernandez & Sebastiaan Deetman & Stefano Merciai & João F. D. Rodrigues & Arnold Tukker, 2021. "Global distribution of material inflows to in‐use stocks in 2011 and its implications for a circularity transition," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(6), pages 1447-1461, December.
    4. Edgar Battand Towa Kouokam & Vanessa Zeller & Wouter Achten, 2019. "Input-output models and waste management analysis: A critical review," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/359535, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    5. Misato Sato, 2014. "Embodied Carbon In Trade: A Survey Of The Empirical Literature," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(5), pages 831-861, December.
    6. Heun, Matthew Kuperus & Owen, Anne & Brockway, Paul E., 2018. "A physical supply-use table framework for energy analysis on the energy conversion chain," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C), pages 1134-1162.
    7. Thomas Wiedmann & John Barrett, 2010. "A Review of the Ecological Footprint Indicator—Perceptions and Methods," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 2(6), pages 1-49, June.
    8. Hoekstra, Rutger & van den Bergh, Jeroen C.J.M., 2006. "Constructing physical input-output tables for environmental modeling and accounting: Framework and illustrations," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 59(3), pages 375-393, September.
    9. Anke Schaffartzik & Dominik Wiedenhofer & Nina Eisenmenger, 2015. "Raw Material Equivalents: The Challenges of Accounting for Sustainability in a Globalized World," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-26, April.
    10. Manfred Lenzen, 2001. "A Generalized Input-Output Multiplier Calculus for Australia," Economic Systems Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(1), pages 65-92.
    11. Pauliuk, Stefan & Hertwich, Edgar G., 2015. "Socioeconomic metabolism as paradigm for studying the biophysical basis of human societies," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 83-93.
    12. Liz Wachs & Shweta Singh, 2018. "A modular bottom-up approach for constructing physical input–output tables (PIOTs) based on process engineering models," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 7(1), pages 1-24, December.
    13. Rodrigues, João & Domingos, Tiago, 2008. "Consumer and producer environmental responsibility: Comparing two approaches," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(2-3), pages 533-546, June.
    14. Melgar-Melgar, Rigo E. & Hall, Charles A.S., 2020. "Why ecological economics needs to return to its roots: The biophysical foundation of socio-economic systems," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    15. Stern, David I., 1997. "Limits to substitution and irreversibility in production and consumption: A neoclassical interpretation of ecological economics," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 21(3), pages 197-215, June.
    16. Marco Bianchi & Carlos Tapia & Ikerne del Valle, 2020. "Monitoring domestic material consumption at lower territorial levels: A novel data downscaling method," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(5), pages 1074-1087, October.
    17. Chengpeng Lu & Xiaoli Pan & Xingpeng Chen & Jinhuang Mao & Jiaxing Pang & Bing Xue, 2021. "Modeling of Waste Flow in Industrial Symbiosis System at City-Region Level: A Case Study of Jinchang, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-17, January.
    18. Stanislav Shmelev & Harrison Roger Brook, 2021. "Macro Sustainability across Countries: Key Sector Environmentally Extended Input-Output Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-46, October.
    19. Machado, Giovani & Schaeffer, Roberto & Worrell, Ernst, 2001. "Energy and carbon embodied in the international trade of Brazil: an input-output approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 39(3), pages 409-424, December.
    20. Venkata Sai Gargeya Vunnava & Jaewoo Shin & Lan Zhao & Shweta Singh, 2022. "PIOT‐Hub ‐ A collaborative cloud tool for generation of physical input–output tables using mechanistic engineering models," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(1), pages 107-120, February.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:26:y:2022:i:3:p:683-703. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=1088-1980 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.