Research summary
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we need to rapidly deploy new technologies on a grand scale. We also need robust assessment frameworks to ensure that once they’ve been deployed, these technologies will provide real sustainability benefits across their entire life cycles.
Dr. Heather MacLean, Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Systems and Technology Assessment, is developing innovative systems approaches to evaluate early-stage carbon conversion technologies-as well as electric vehicles and those that use other alternative fuels-at the fleet level. She and her research team are studying the limitations of current methods and enabling technology-scaling and optimization for multiple variables (such as air quality and material availability). Ultimately, their work will inform and support the transition to a sustainable economy.