Research summary
Policy-makers face complex choices about our sustainable energy future-and they must make environmental decisions despite significant uncertainty. Life cycle assessment is a key tool that can support these decisions. Dr. Ira Posen, Canada Research Chair in System-Scale Environmental Impacts of Energy and Transport Technologies, is developing innovative methods to expand traditional life cycle assessment approaches.
Posen and his research team are producing models that capture the complex interrelationships between technology, decision-making and real-world system dynamics. Focusing on biofuels, electric vehicles and carbon conversion technologies, they are developing a series of studies to advance the modelling of emerging technologies and support the associated policy decisions that lie ahead.