Between July 2nd and 5th, 2023, the 11th International Conference on Industrial Ecology (ISIE 2023) of the International Society for Industrial Ecology took place in Leiden, Netherlands. The central theme of the conference was “Transitions in a Turbulent World.” Through this theme, the idea was conveyed that our current model of energy and resource use is not sustainable, and significant changes in our energy system are required to achieve climate neutrality. At the same time, the need for drastic changes in our use of natural resources such as land, water, and materials to achieve sustainability was emphasized. During the conference, the PELCAN team was present, showcasing projects related to these topics through four oral presentations and two scientific posters.
Two of the oral presentations were related to the Pacific Plastic Science Solutions (PPSS) project, funded by the British agency UKRI. The first presentation was given by Diana Ita-Nagy, who presented the study titled “How much mismanaged plastic waste reaches the oceans? A methodology to estimate the flows of mismanaged plastic in emerging and developing nations,” conducted in collaboration with Ian Vázquez-Rowe and Ramzy Kahhat. This research proposes a methodological framework to quantify plastic waste reaching the ocean based on observation through field studies and data collection related to the assessed basins. Additionally, an empirical formulation considering the most significant barriers, such as potential natural or anthropogenic sinks, is proposed.
The second oral presentation was given by Alejandro Deville, titled “Using data envelopment analysis to assess marine plastic pollution in Peruvian industrial fishing.” This research, conducted in collaboration with Ian Vázquez-Rowe and Ramzy Kahhat, aims to evaluate the eco-efficiency of Peruvian industrial fishing, focusing on the Anchoveta species (Engraulis ringens), using the 5-step LCA+DEA methodology. The focus was on climate change and plastic emissions from abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, as well as anti-fouling paint on vessels.
Next, Joan Sánchez-Matos presented the study titled “Diet-Peru: Assessing The Impact Of Covid-19 On The Environment Economy-Nutrition Nexus Of Dietary Patterns And Food Loss And Waste Management In Peru.” This presentation is framed within a CAP project funded by VRI and aimed to assess changes in food consumption patterns in Peru over the past 15 years, considering several nutritional, socioeconomic, waste generation, and environmental aspects using life cycle and circular economy metrics.
The last oral presentation by the PELCAN team was given by Ramzy Kahhat, who presented the research titled “Urban Stock in an Andean City and its Comparison with Coastal Areas of Peru.” This research, developed in collaboration with Claudia Cucchi, Matías Gutierrez, Carlos Mesta, Samy García, Alexis Dueñas, and Johann Feliner, aims to improve our understanding of the interaction between urban stocks, socioeconomic drivers, and urbanization, especially in the diverse context of the Global South. The study focuses on five urban areas in Peru, aiming to analyze their building stocks, investigate their spatial-temporal characteristics, and establish correlations with socioeconomic and geographic factors. This research provides valuable information to promote sustainable urban development, not only in Peru but also in broader contexts.
Regarding the presented posters, Joan Sánchez-Matos exhibited the research titled “Regionalization of water scarcity characterization factors for Peruvian basins using the AWARE method.” The objective of this study is to develop regionalized water scarcity characterization factors for hydrographic basins in Peru using the AWARE method. Additionally, these characterization factors were applied to three locally produced agricultural products, and CFs (carbon footprints) were estimated in the context of climate change. This project is part of Sánchez-Matos’ postdoctoral research funded by ProCiencia and represents the first attempt to regionalize environmental impact assessment methods at a national level in Peru, estimating these values for climate change contexts.
Claudia Cucchi presented the project “Analysis of the transportation sector to establish deep decarbonization strategies in Peruvian cities.” The objective of this research is to promote deep decarbonization in the Global South, addressing this challenge as a complex and crucial task to limit temperature rise. The study analyzes research conducted between 2010 and 2023 on deep decarbonization in the transportation sector in the Global South. It also seeks to identify emerging trends and insights in addressing challenges related to infrastructure, technology, affordability, accessibility, and policy support.
The participation of the PELCAN team in ISIE 2023 highlights its relevance in environmental research in Peru and globally. These conferences provide a crucial platform for presenting innovative projects and relevant findings. PELCAN demonstrates its commitment to sustainability by addressing challenges such as decarbonization, water resource management, and waste reduction. Its interdisciplinary and collaborative approach drives sustainable development and positions PELCAN as a leader in knowledge generation with impact in Peru and beyond.
