Work Programme

CIE-MAP seeks to identify the largely unexplored opportunity of changing our use of goods and services to reduce industrial energy. CIE-MAP draws on a wide range of expertise from many different disciplines including engineering, economics, psychology, design, political science and governance. The work programme is divided into four sub-categories described below:

  • System Analysis of materials and products

This work package provides a detailed mapping of materials and products to satisfy UK demand considering the interaction with the energy and monetary flows. Using a range of novel techniques, the analysis provides the most advanced understanding of the interaction of industrial sectors to provide products to final demand. With this system in place, we provide an appraisal of the scope of opportunities for reducing demand for energy and energy-intensive materials in the UK industry system, over specific timeframes, taking into account issues such as rebound effects, deployment rates, governance and behaviour, and evaluating the impact of these reductions on future UK energy supply options and wider environmental systems.

  • Understanding Consumption

This work package assesses the potential for changes in consumption behaviour to contribute to reducing demand for energy and materials, and identify the business practices and policy solutions that would best realise this potential. This involves undertaking comprehensive surveys of households to understand practices and behaviour on issues such as product lifetimes giving detailed insights into purchasing decisions in regard to valuation, replacement decisions and upgrades. In addition, we will conduct a review of repair businesses across a range of sectors to establish why their business models are resilient and identify social innovations and modifications to systems of provision that would encourage repair.

  • Innovation in materials and products

The work package evaluates the realities of novel business models, products, and processes to enable material demand reduction across the full spectrum of UK products. This involves a detailed appraisal of the construction sectors considering the use of alternative materials, the co-benefits of lightweight and longer-lasting design in construction and the role of clients in driving eco-design. In addition, we explore regulatory frameworks and standards in the construction sector to bring about changes in design and the longevity of buildings. The work programme also considers business models such as asset sharing, enhanced repair and upgrade services, novel approaches to product take-back, new forms of contract, second hand component or material sales, material leasing, restoration and refurbishment fofr a range of sectors.

  • Delivery

This work package works to Identify and demonstrate how government policy, industry and social mechanisms can bring about reductions in demand for energy and energy-intensive materials in the UK. This involves examining the potential threats, opportunities, and likely developments related to all opportunities for reducing energy demand in UK industry in the form of scenarios. A full economic assessment is also undertaken using a macro-econometric model to assess the effects on wages, economic growth, trade on alternative futures.