Impact of Technological Change in Europe (PROSUITE)

Overview

The PROSUITE project is developing the methods needed to analyze the environmental, economic, and social impacts of future technologies in order to better understand which of those technologies are likely to be the most beneficial and sustainable throughout their life cycles. The project will help identify ways to select, promote, and control technology development in fields such as biofuels, renewable energy, and recycling.

Researchers are using case studies of technologies related to biofuels, nanotechnology, carbon capture and storage, and mobile communications devices to identify both their positive and negative aspects and to develop a methodology to assess the sustainability of future technologies.

PROSUITE should help answer technology-related questions such as:

• Can biofuel refineries cause environmental problems because of the increased land and water needed to support them?
•  Is human exposure to nanomaterials a serious safety concern?
• Are toxic materials used in cell phones and other telecommunications devices released into the environment during disposal?

IIASA Research

Institute researchers are developing models to analyze the impact uncertainty and risk have on the economics  of technology adoption. They are also developing new land-use models to study environmental impacts of agriculture and biomass production technologies.

Last edited: 12 June 2012