Research

The Ecological Systems Design Group (ESD) strives to develop and apply cutting-edge decision support methods for sustainable production and consumption. We do this by modelling, assessing and improving the resource efficiency and environmental performance of products and processes, new technologies and consumption patterns from a systems perspective. ESD commits to the overall mission of the Institute of Environmental Engineering to foster informed environmental decisions and actions.

ESD is a leading research group in the following areas:

• The development of new (regionalized) methods for inventory and impact assessment LCA.
• Using big data and machine learning to improve and extend environmental assessments (e.g. understand consumer behavior) and provide policy recommendations for sustainable production and consumption.
• The development and application of environmental decision support tools for industrial ecology in areas of high practical relevance and leverage. This includes research for a sustainable circular economy.