UK-MRIO 1
The project ‘UK-MRIO 1’ was the first stage of the implementation of an international multi-region input-output model (MRIO) for the UK.
The aim of the work was to develop an automated data optimisation procedure that allowed the construction of national input-output and environmental databases in greatest possible sector disaggregation that can be used for a multi-region environmental input-output model in the future. Thus the work set the basis for numerous analyses of environmental impacts associated with UK trade flows, including detailed account of emissions embedded in trade flows to and from the UK over a period of time.
The work was commissioned by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as a follow-up to a previous project where the most appropriate approach to constructing a robust account of impacts of trade and thus overall consumption in a headline indicator for Sustainable Development was identified (Wiedmann et al., 2006).
The conclusion from this study was that, in order to derive reliable and robust estimates for embedded emissions, it is important to explicitly consider the production efficiency and emissions intensity of a number of trading countries and world regions in an international trade model, which is globally closed and sectorally deeply disaggregated (Wiedmann et al., 2007).
More information
SEI’s partner in the ‘UK-MRIO 1’ project is The Centre for Integrated Sustainability Analysis (ISA) at the University of Sydney.
Project funder is Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
SEI Contact
Tommy Wiedmann