Enabling Future Sustainability Transitions

Summary This synthesis article presents an overview of an urban metabolism (UM) approach using mixed methods and multiple sources of data for Los Angeles, California. We examine electric energy use in buildings and greenhouse gas emissions from electricity, and calculate embedded infrastructure life...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of industrial ecology 2014-12, Vol.18 (6), p.871-882
Main Authors: Pincetl, Stephanie, Chester, Mikhail, Circella, Giovanni, Fraser, Andrew, Mini, Caroline, Murphy, Sinnott, Reyna, Janet, Sivaraman, Deepak
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air pollution
building energy use
Buildings
California
carbon emissions
Electric power
Energy conservation
Energy consumption
Energy policy
Environment
Environment and politics
Environmental degradation
environmental input-output life cycle assessment (EIO-LCA) model
Environmental management
Environmental protection
industrial ecology
Infrastructure
Location
Los Angeles, California
Studies
Sustainability
sustainable city
Sustainable development
urban metabolism
Water
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Summary:Summary This synthesis article presents an overview of an urban metabolism (UM) approach using mixed methods and multiple sources of data for Los Angeles, California. We examine electric energy use in buildings and greenhouse gas emissions from electricity, and calculate embedded infrastructure life cycle effects, water use and solid waste streams in an attempt to better understand the urban flows and sinks in the Los Angeles region (city and county). This quantification is being conducted to help policy‐makers better target energy conservation and efficiency programs, pinpoint best locations for distributed solar generation, and support the development of policies for greater environmental sustainability. It provides a framework to which many more UM flows can be added to create greater understanding of the study area's resource dependencies. Going forward, together with policy analysis, UM can help untangle the complex intertwined resource dependencies that cities must address as they attempt to increase their environmental sustainability.
ISSN:1088-1980
1530-9290
DOI:10.1111/jiec.12144